Depression: An Online Christian Answer Part II

Explains how specific symptoms of depression can be reduced through Bible based concepts and specific techniques. Offers a uniquely powerful solution in Christ

Guilt can big part of depression. However, even when we have done truly wrong and hellish things, we do not have to carry that load of shame forever. Christ’s death specifically bridges the gap between God’s law requiring absolute perfection and our truly imperfect and failing nature. Many of us have heard the words that no sin is to big for God to forgive if we will only admit our wrong and ask for forgiveness. However, that can often seem like nothing more than words next to the mountain of our guilt and shameful actions. In contemplating my many wrongs, I have been encouraged by the explicit and dramatic examples of God’s people in earlier days.

In 2 Kings 20, good King Hezekiah was given 15 more years to live when He asked God to heal him from a deadly infection. However, after God healed him, he spent the entire time he hosted a foreign delegation showing off his wealth instead of introducing them to the God who had healed him. Ironically, the delegation came specifically to congratulate him on his recovery, a recovery directly given by God.

I covet, I hope in a good way, the same “title” God gave to King David. God called him "...A man after my own heart" "...I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." Acts 13:22 KJV At first that seems reasonable, David had made many public and private commitments to God, He had acted on his trust in God on many occasions, and he lead Israel to honor and worship God through both his royal decrees and his own actions. However, when his throne was secure and things were going well he began trusting in his own abilities and resources. Instead of simply trusting that God would provide any force he may need for a future attack, he ordered a military census be taken to determine how large an army he could muster. After God anointed him king, protected him from Saul, and gave him numerous victories over armies far stronger than his, he put his trust in his own abilities, his own resources. The unknown shepherd boy who went up against an armored giant with only a sling and a trust in God became a self-reliant king until God showed him his error and he repented. But of course that was neither his most notable or repulsive wrong. David also had a loyal and trusted warrior murdered just so he could take his wife. A woman whom he had gotten pregnant while the warrior was gone risking his life for his king. Next to that, I look pretty good! But God accepted David’s repentance despite it being such a huge abuse of power, incredible betrayal of loyalty and a willful flagrant violation of God’s laws. Going well beyond a grudging forgiveness, David was considered a friend by God. He was restored to a favored intimate relationship with his Creator and so can we.

The point is that we are all guilty of wrong actions and thoughts as the Bible puts it “..for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:22-23 KJV However, God offers us what no one else can. True complete and total forgiveness without any fine print or frequency limits. While just being forgiven, especially from one who is entirely perfect, is amazing, God offers us the power needed to change, to become better than we were. So we not only get unlimited forgiveness but also a way to not need it so often. Thus with God’s formula, long standing heavy guilt can be a thing of the past. The only requirement for having our mistakes and wrongs thrown to the bottom of the sea of God’s forgiveness is simply admit to God that we have been wrong, ask for forgiveness and make a committed effort to change our ways relying on God to provide the strength to do so. Also, whenever possible, do all we can to make it right. For “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19 NKJV.

While confession sounds like such an old fashioned word, confessing our wrongs is THE most powerful way to get rid of shame and guilt, for that is the only path to forgiveness. Forgiveness not only frees us of guilt but also restores our relationships. While no human can forgive as completely as God, His example is the goal. We have wronged Him in innumerable ways and thus broken our relationship with Him. His response is to give His life to provide a bridge back to Him so He can have an ongoing friendship with us for eternity. We aren’t just forgiven we are reinstated as His family. Family as if we had never wronged him! “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:4-7 KJV

A rather extreme example of how beneficial restoring a relationship can be is adultery. A man and woman marry with a deep sense that the future is limitless with all the wonderful possibilities for their life together. They cannot imagine even thinking about anyone else. They are perfect for each other until a few years pass and the imperfections and differences begin not just to show but become annoying, unmanageable and finally very hurtful. If the hurt is not dealt with, resolved in a satisfactory manner, the hurt breeds discontent and other people begin to look much better than your husband or wife. Then the opportunity presents it’s self. “She is just so much more understanding than my wife.” “He actually listens to me. He makes it obvious that I’m important to him.” So the promise is broken, the trust betrayed, both are hurting more than they thought possible. Divorce now seems imminent. While both the husband and wife still remember some good times, still wish it could have been different, divorce seems the only option. In truth, however, it isn’t. With confession (admitting guilt), usually from both sides (there is nearly always a reason a spouse strays), and forgiveness the marriage can be rebuilt. With forgiveness it is possible for, a future together, a great future. They get to keep that special place in their hearts for each other. Their kids can grow up with both parents. A relationship, is reborn and grown stronger than ever. They can reexplore each other with a mutually greater commitment. They can and will learn new things about each other as they work through the problems to find better solutions. Without forgiveness they go their separate ways. As separate as the leash of kids, alimony or mutual friends will allow. They must carry a failure, an ultimate rejection, a broken promise, and the results of an unforgiving heart with them forever. The relationship restoring quality of confession and forgiveness is a powerful tool in fighting depression because depression is frequently intensified and sometimes caused by isolation or lack of close relationships.

Self-loathing seems to generally stem from a sense of shame and guilt. Because of it’s basis in guilt or shame over wrongs committed, confession and requesting forgiveness, from God first, and than from those wronged is the way to deal with self loathing. Self-respect can be reborn when the pure blood of Christ’s forgiveness washes away the humiliating stain of a despicable deed.

One note from personal experience: Sometimes we can feel guilty as if we have done something wrong even when we haven’t. This can be caused by at least two things. First, we may continue to feel guilt and shame because we have not truly accepted God’s forgiveness. Or Satan may be attacking us with false allegations. The Bible is very clear that he specializes in harassing us by accusing us of wrongs. “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Revelation 12:9-11 KJV He wants to try to get us to focus on our short comings either real or imagined rather than God, His unlimited forgiveness and new life. Since lying is his most prolific and powerful tool, we should not be surprised at all, that he often accuses us falsely. To combat such attacks take your “sin” to God in prayer and ask for wisdom to know the truth about the accusation. If it is false use your God given authority to rebuke Satan and tell him you will no longer believe his lie. If God reveals to you that it is in fact a true wrong, joyously and repentantly throw yourself into God’s loving forgiving arms through confession. That done, it’s case closed, God doesn’t continue to hold us guilty. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-10 KJV And “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” Psalm 103:11-13 KJV If the perfect Creator of all the entire universe thinks that is good enough, who are we to argue, especially since it is in our favor!

Another aspect of guilt and forgiveness is our need to forgive ourselves. Often we can confess our sins, ask for forgiveness and even believe we have been forgiven but not forgive ourselves. We continue to hold on to our sense of guilt, our feeling that we deserve punishment or to suffer, and generally feel unworthy of the better things in life including love, success, trust and even salvation. This sense of unworthiness can then sometimes act as an automatic "repellent" to the gifts and blessings God and others wish to give us. For example, a man who feels unworthy of being loved due to past mistakes or failures, may continually, "test" or question his wife's love for him. Eventually, she gets tired of having the genuineness of her love for him questioned and she either builds an emotional wall between them or leaves. This of course is seen by the husband of proof positive that she never really loved him and so feels even more unlovable. Because of this "repellent" effect it is important to forgive ourselves if we want to truly leave behind our wrongs and be able to fully enjoy God's forgiveness and blessings. God wants us to ask Him for what we need and want but if we continue to view ourselves as needing to suffer further for our wrongs we will not ask for what God is just waiting to give us and thus miss out on many joys and benefits we could have had in our lives.

Finally, loosing interest in life and activities is likely to reverse once a person sees, understands and accepts on the deepest emotional levels, all the reasons God provides for being happy rather than dark and hopeless. Of course, due to old habits of thinking, we often have difficulty in accepting all of this, no matter how wonderful it is. As always the remedy begins by honestly telling God our feelings. Next ask for His help to truly accept His forgiveness, bountiful future, and infinite value of us!

Satan is intent on destroying us and stunting our joyous relationship with our Creator. Finding ways to encourage depression is one of his tactics. But if we face his lies squarely, confess our wrongs openly, and strongly embrace our giving Savior’s incredible gifts, life is seen in a new light. This powerful energizing loving truthful light destroys the darkness of depression and brings a vibrant zest for life both now and in the future. Let God’s wonderful truth lift your dark burden today!

NOTE: In dealing with any emotional / psychological disturbance, we should always keep in mind that God heals in many ways. So while I believe with all my heart in the truth and effectiveness of the previous ideas, I believe that God often works through other agents to bring wholeness to us. As such, professional counseling and or anti depressant medication just may be a part of God’s way to lift the darkness for you.

See “Depression: An Online Christian Answer Part I” for the symptoms of depression and the role of Negative Thoughts, Feelings of Worthlessness and God’s Passionate Desire for our happiness in depression.

About the Author

Steven Baerg is 34 years old. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in preparation for working as a counselor. He is married to a wonderful and supportive wife and has a dog named Bailey. He relies on God’s power and help for inspiration and maintaining a proper focus in life.

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