Dear Christian,
It may seem inappropriate to address the topic of depression as relates to the Christian Life. I agree, at least in part. The Christian life is and always ought to be marked by a joy that is grounded in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, the Christian life is occasionally and at times frequently affected by worldly sorrows.
Experientially, the term I hear most often to describe sorrow in the Christian life is suffering. And this description is wholly Biblical. The Psalms are littered with cries for help—for the relenting of disasters, for rescue and for relief. We intuitively know that suffering is an aberration of the human experience, that we are meant to flourish. Yet, we know Christ also suffered for us, and with this knowledge we are made humble.
There are times when situations seem to overwhelm us. But God is greater than anything we should face. Christ's plea in the Garden of Gethsemane is hardly disingenuous. He was tortured at the hands of guilty men when he himself was innocent. He was nailed to and hoisted upon a heavy, wooden cross. Only moments earlier he was made to carry it on his blood-drenched back. And when the sun grew dark in the sky, he was hung to die.
The truth is, before his crucifixion, Jesus's disciples were made aware they should anticipate trials and persecution not unlike his own. I wonder why so many today believe they can enjoy the world's pleasures without fear of retaliation and at Christ's expense? Each James, Peter, and Paul remind their readers that joy and suffering coexist together in this life. (see Romans 5:3–5; 1 Peter 5:10; James 1:2–4; 1 Corinthians 4:8-10; 1 Peter 1:6–9) Even Jesus, it says "for the joy that was set before him [he] endured the cross," (Hebrews 12:2).
His joy surely included his own glorification. But the completion of Christ's joy could not stop there. His resurrection granted him the divine right to share the fellowship he had with His Father with his bride, the Church, whom he had now redeemed. Since this joy is meant to be shared with us, His beloved daughter, how can we say we are still suffering?
Are we not to experience this joy of fellowship even in the midst our suffering? I submit the Scriptures say we must. When circumstances breed anxiety, we must cling to Christ as the sure and steady anchor for our souls. When loneliness or depression overwhelm us, we must remind ourselves God is with us and is holding on to us tightly.
Being found in his arms, He reassures us we are safe and secure from all our harm. And God's Son is our example. When going to the cross, he sought comfort from His Heavenly Father. "Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done." (Luke 22:42) And "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" (Luke 23:46)
This is to say, if we desire for Christians to flourish and grow in Christ-likeness, we must speak grace-filled words to those who are suffering. Just as we speak to those who are physically ill, we must learn how to comfort and encourage our brothers and sisters who hurt in ways we cannot see. And we must speak in ways that foster dependency on Christ, to help guard them from temptation to trust in themselves.
Yet I perceive we do not always serve our brethren in this way. As we meet together to counsel one another, we begin with a verse or a prayer to God. Just as quickly as we say "Amen" we turn our focus from God's sovereignty and place it upon the person's free and unguided will.
"God helps those who help themselves," we say in our hearts, if not aloud. Believing the problem lies with an individual's lack of effort, we rely on external methods to affect his lazy soul. But when we neglect to care for our brother's heart, we miss opportunities for grace to change that man. Only time will tell if he is motivated by God's love or still yet some deep-seated fear that has gone wholly unaddressed.
We know man's effort, when motivated by wrong desires, does not produce the kind of fruit blessed by God. The work that depends on man's strength is folly of the highest order. Only covetousness, greed, envy, and the like will follow. They are the fruit of a man trusting in himself. God's Word corrects our thinking, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," Solomon says. "And the knowledge of the Holy One is insight," he continues. (Proverbs 9:10) "This is eternal life," Jesus affirmed, "that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3) Isn't is marvelous that God does not change? (Malachi 3:6) He is the same God from eternity past and can be known by you and me as completely as he has been known by those before us.
How long will professors of Christ make little of God's Word? Certainly, pride and arrogance are barriers to sharing the grace of God. But so is our enemy, the devil, called Satan and the serpent of old. If we will prove to be discerning men and women, we must remember God's truth: He is holy. We are not. Christ is a Savior. We need saving. "The wages of sin is death," (Romans 6:23) surely. But, "for freedom Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1) Finally, Satan is a liar. (John 8:44)
When we recognize these fundamental truths, combined with the fact that, "God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one," (James 1:13) we realize that "Nothing will be impossible with God." (Luke 1:37) We are free to try our hand at new things. We can push through depression. We can risk failure. Not in the least because we are strong-willed or fierce-minded. But because, "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
Christ is our advocate before the Father. (1 John 2:1) We will not enter into judgment, for Christ has taken our place. Therefore, we need not defend ourselves. He saved us from the penalty of sin and now provides us with his armor to do battle with the presence and power of that same sin. "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires, " Paul reminds us. (Romans 13:14)
Yes, it is possible to experience joy in your suffering. But only by submitting to Christ. All that is within you must be given over to God's providential plan. Once he has freed you, go. Walk in confidence, knowing for certain you, "are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." (Ephesians 2:10)
Go and do as He has instructed you, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind and with all your strength... [And] love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31) The word of Christ compels us. "All things are possible for one who believes." (Mark 9:23)
