Spiritual or physical?  (beware, rambly post)

*Disclaimer: None of the things I suggest here should be taken lightly. ALL changes should be carefully examined and controlled by a doctor. And when possible, find a good Biblical counselor who does not blame you for your depression, but find one that will help you deal with it. 

I have discussed depression and its spiritual aspects.

Only you can decide whether your depression is physically or spiritually based. It takes great wisdom to know the difference. And sometimes the physical and spiritual are SO intertwined, it’s difficult to know. Therefore, it’s good to attack your depression from all sides.  Physical problems can cause depression. Depression can cause physical problems. So, this question can be a tough one.

And don’t let anyone else tell you what it is or isn’t. HOWEVER, don’t be quick to judge either.  I have personally had someone look at me and tell me the depression was ALL MY FAULT. Those words haunt me to this day. But I know myself best.  The person who said that to me doesn’t know me at all.  Nor did that person really try.

I feel the reason depression is mistreated in Christian circles is that, frankly, it’s become the catch all diagnosis for all sorts of bad behaviors. Bitterness, worry, and a host of other sinful choices can all lead to depression.  (take a pill, dull it down but continue to live as I want). Not that I’m against medication at ALL. You should carefully discuss options with your doctor. I have two cautions for you to consider. First, medication can easily become the answer instead of Christ. Also, medication can keep you from knowing the REAL physical issue.  It’s like putting a bandaid over an oozing wound that is really infected. You need to find the source of the infection and get rid of it. Don't take that to mean medicine is evil. Just go into it aware of these issues. Medicine can be life saving. I personally can't take it due to side effects. Find a trustworthy doctor.

So the big question is: is depression the source or the result?

When the entire world was telling me depression was the result of my choices, I KNEW it was the cause. Maybe this fact doesn’t make sense to you. And I am in no way excusing my sin, but I KNEW something was very physically wrong with me. I had to retrain myself in new ways of dealing with it, but the depression IS REAL and very physical.

IT can be very difficult to sort through these issues as well. Frankly, it’s hard to be spiritually right when you feel SO awful. So feeling better can often lead to spiritual strides.

However, feeling awful doesn’t excuse sin. See? No wonder I (and maybe you) get tempted to give up. But we are compelled to obey and not sin no matter how we’re feeling. So we work on these things side by side.

 

So let’s talk physical well being. Your body is a temple and we should do the best we can to care for it. (I don’t always. Maybe this preaching at myself will help).

1. Get a physical. Rule out thyroid issues, hormones issues or a host of other issues that can cause depression. Sometimes, the answer is simple.

2. Exercise. 

3. Diet. OH how we hate to change our diet. Do you know sugar can cause depression? Gluten allergies? Other food allergies. . . there are steps you can take to eliminate foods and figure out what causes you issues.  I can’t believe how many people suffer but refuse to change the way they eat. Get rid of processed foods, add fruits and vegetables and get rid of sugar. It’s not the end of the world, but it might be the end of your struggles. Resources exist to help. But it takes some sacrifice and work.

4. Supplements. Do you know low vitamin d can cause depression? As can other things. Get checked out by a doctor and make sure you’re not vitamin deficient.

I hope some of these tips help you. If I call my counselor on a bad day, he will ask. How are you eating?  How are you sleeping? Have you exercised?

Good questions to ask yourself or someone else who’s struggling.  And I’m telling you, if you’re struggling, the answer isn’t easy. You have to tell yourself, I will FIGHT and work and do what it takes! No one can help you if you give up! 

A little aside: you may not find the cause of your physical problems. There are times I’m doing everything I know to do, and I still become VERY depressed. These are the times when I’m reminded. God doesn’t always promise to take our thorn in the flesh away. But He does promise grace to get through it.

If someone doesn’t believe in you, find someone who will! God does and I do!

Grace and peace!

The ordinary means of grace

Question 88 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What are the outward means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption?”

Answer:
The outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the Word, sacraments and prayer; all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation.

Maybe you’re saying, huh, what does that mean?  One of the great benefits of redemption is grace. And God gives us channels of grace. The importance of the Word, the sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s supper, and prayer cannot be overstated. He has given to us the means of grace. We are compelled by scripture to be committed to the ordinary means of grace.

Make sure you are a part of a Bible believing and preaching church.

Regularly participate in the Lord’s supper.

Read the Word and pray.

They really aren’t difficult, but oh, they will change your life!

One of the questions my counselor asks me when in a difficult time, “Are you using the means of grace?” 

Darkness and Light

Depression is a battle. I might be home an entire day, not accomplishing much and feel like I’ve run a marathon when I go to bed. Why is that? Because depression is a BATTLE.

And whether we like it or not, we MUST fight. Some days, our fight may be ONE step of obedience (see previous blog post), BUT we must fight.

I just went through some difficult days this winter, and I didn’t fight. I should have. I’m thankful God forgives.

So how do we fight a battle? We put on armor. Where do we find the armor of God? It's described for us in Ephesians 6. Let’s break down the armor of God.

1. Belt of truth. Truth is your friend in your fight. Truth will break walls and set you free. Where is truth found? In scripture! (I bet as we break down the armor of God, you’re going to start seeing a pattern).  Tell yourself truth. Write it down. Write as many truths down. It’s better than curling in a ball and crying. (and I’ve spent a lot of time doing just that)
2.  Breastplate of righteousness.  Where does your righteousness come from? Is it something you do? Hardly! It comes from Christ. His work on the cross is the basis for our righteousness. He took ALL the yuckiness of our sin on Him, and when He saves us, He places ALL his righteousness on us. AMAZING GRACE. If you know Christ, beloved, he will never look on you as anything but righteous. And this truth will get you through some very difficult days. 
3.  Gospel of peace.  Oh peace can be elusive to the one who suffers from depression. But where is peace found? In the gospel! (seeing that pattern yet?) The gospel is our only hope. What is the gospel? Christ died for my sins on the cross. I am dead in my trespasses and sins. When I place my faith in Christ (which is a gift in itself), He places his righteousness on me and takes my sins and nails them on that cross. When He (God the Father) looks at me, HE SEES CHRIST! WOW. Even when I'm depressed, He looks at me and sees CHRIST.
4.  Shield of faith. Our faith in Christ is the light that will get us through darkness. We have hope!
5. Helmet of salvation (ok, I really think we’ve covered this salvation thing). Do you think God is getting across to us that our ARMOR is our SALVATION?? His covenant promises apply to us in WHOLE when we know Christ. We are preserved, saved, sanctified, helped, protected, loved (and I could go on and on).
6. Sword of the spirit. We must KNOW truth and tell ourselves truth if we’re going to make it through this life. But we won’t know truth if we don’t get in the WORD. It’s our sword to pierce through darkness.   

But you know, I always thought of the armor of God as some difficult thing to “put on”. Heavy. But writing this blog post, I see it’s very simple. It’s the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It's my focus on THAT truth. All the time. 

So friend, put on the Armor of God. You may not FEEL any different, but you will be sanctified through the grace and salvation of Jesus.

ONE STEP

I bet this was probably the most helpful advice I received when working through the spiritual aspects of my depression. Do ONE thing. 

I would curl up in a corner and sob. My brain SHOUTS at me. The dirty dishes sit in the sink. The laundry piles up. But I want my corner. I want my covers over my head to shut out the voice. I want other people to come, take over my life so that I don’t have to deal with it. Because dealing is just . . . too . . . hard.

Now I have a choice. God gave me this life, so I HAVE to deal. I have choices to make. Often, I make the wrong one, but I learned something. When I make one right choice, GOD gives grace. Then, He gives more grace to make another right one. Maybe, just maybe, one day gets ONE right choice. But it’s SOMETHING. And with each right choice comes grace. And with grace comes sanctification. And before you know it, you’re changing.  And before you know it, maybe the right choices start to outweigh the wrong ones, and you are being sanctified. Not through power of your own, but through the immeasurable grace of Jesus.

So what are some practical things to help? 

First, music is a powerful help during the difficulties. Choosing music that speaks truth is of vital importance.

Casting Crowns has a fabulous song I would sing over and over. It's called Voice of Truth

The song’s chorus states:

Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

We’ll talk more about truth later and the place it has in this fight. But I have to CHOOSE to believe truth when everything in my head is shouting lies.

Back to our one step.What are other "one steps"? Maybe one load of dishes. Maybe one load of laundry. I might pick up one room. Doesn’t seem like much, but some days those victories are like climbing a mountain.  

And I begin to notice that with each step comes grace.

And when you step backwards and disobey, you confess. Isn’t that the joy of the cross? You can take your sin and LEAVE IT THERE.  You don’t have to feel guilty. Christ paid the penalty. And you can do one right thing now!

So one practical step you can do or encourage someone else to do: ONE step. ONE good choice. ONE at a time. Blessings, friend.

Sin and Depression

*Disclaimer: those of you who know me well know that I don’t always follow my own advice. Frankly, when the darkness hits, it’s really difficult to remember these truths and put them into practice. I don't always do it myself. One of the reasons for my writing is that I will come back to these truths when I am down. The beauty of grace is that God never quits on us even when we deserve it. 

 _____________________________________________________

Now that I’ve discussed the fact that depression itself is not a sin, we need to discuss sin. 

Frankly, depression OFTEN leads to sinful responses. Darkness can be very overwhelming. It’s very easy to give in to the feelings. Feelings are POWERFUL. They try to dictate to us how to live. Especially when everything in my mind tells me, compels me in a direction that is dark. Unless you’ve lived this experience, it’s difficult to describe.

This conundrum was probably the most difficult problem I faced (and still do sometimes). How do you separate the sin from the depression? I was living sinful patterns of response to my depression. I knew it, but I could no more control the depression itself than I can control the sun rising. So therefore, it's easy to "excuse" the sinful responses. This mess can be difficult to work on.

There is no easy answer. I often joke that separating the sin from the depression can be like trying to separate an item that has been super glued. It’s messy, hard work. But we ask the Father to show us our sin and then strive to live in obedience, as much as we are able with His help. Ha, sounds easy, doesn’t it? Well, thankfully, I was given some very practical small steps as I struggled through these issues.

I pray the next few blog posts will help sort these issues out and give practical ways that you can help someone struggling with this darkness. Hang in there with me.

A little reminder for you before I go:

Remember, the best way to dispel darkness is with light! You may keep feeling like the darkness is suffocating, but THERE IS LIGHT. It's easy to believe there's light when life seems lighter. But it's much harder when life seems dark and dreary. But the source of light hasn't changed!

John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Depression and the Christian (continued)

Recently I heard talk of a prominent teacher in my area basically teaching that depression is sin.

The idea was stated that if you really know your God, you won't suffer from discouragement and depression.

You know, Paul asked for his thorn in the flesh to be removed. Did God say, "If you just trust me enough, your thorn will go away"? Did God say, "If you know who I am, you will no longer have a thorn"?

NO, He said, "My grace is sufficient for you. My strength is made perfect in weakness."

So why do we suddenly not apply that to depression?

ALL suffering is an opportunity for ministry to one another AND for ministry to ourselves. It's an opportunity to say to God, I can do nothing of myself. All that is in me is depraved, worthless. You are my only hope, ever!!

It's an opportunity for God's grace to be perfected. And when I blow it, His grace is my stay!


Selah sings a song:
Wonderful, Merciful Savior

Almighty, infinite Father
Faithfully loving Your own
Here in our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne
Oh, we're falling before Your throne

The purpose of all suffering is to bring us to the throne of our Heavenly Father. I would never tell a suffering cancer patient that trusting God will take away his or her cancer.  So a minister of God or a well meaning friend should NEVER tell that to a depressed person. I find it be dangerous waters and VERY dangerous teaching.

God is our only hope, no matter what our state! Friend, cling to that hope. If you don't know that hope, find it!

A life without depression

I've been silent for a while. Frankly, there are many times I just feel I have nothing to say. But I had this conversation this week I feel compelled to share.

My husband and I were talking about depression. It's been a pretty tough year. Tougher than I've told most people.  I think I stay silent during the rough times because, frankly, who wants to hear about them? No one, so I've been told. Many times.

So I say to my husband this week. What would life be like without depression? I often think of that as my ultimate goal: to live a WELL life. A life without sickness and without depression.

And he says, "would you really want that life? I love you the way you are. Your difficulties make you a special individual with depth and feeling."

I have thought and thought about these words this week. Why is it that we see an "ideal" life as a life free from depression? You have to admit it, most Christians do.

I believe firmly this IS my thorn in the flesh. I'm not sure I will ever be fully rid of it.

What does God say to Paul when he asks to be delivered from his thorn? "My grace is sufficient for you."

His grace is sufficient, no matter what my issue is. Mine just happens to be depression. It's ugly, it's dark. But I must embrace it as the path HE has chosen for me.