The Black Dog

http://faithsmessenger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/depression.jpg

Depression.

A Buzz word that the very sad death of the actor Robin Williams has perhaps highlighted.

Depression.

I am no expert. I have however, like many, many who walk this road of life, loved someone who has and is depressed. 

It is a path that is broken and painful. As it is a struggle for the person who is depressed, so it is painful and testing for those who watch. It is scary. It is lonely, It is real, it is sometimes for all of this life.

To begin at the beginning...... there are a variety of reasons why someone may become depressed and of course there are many different varieties of depression. 

I would like this blog post to express and hold out some things about depression that are real and in so doing, as I always hope to do, help someone out there.

Depression is mostly as a result of some kind of chemical imbalance and because of this there is help to be found in medication. The right doctor and the right medication is the tricky bit,

But, having said that there is real help available.

Perhaps a person might also need some council along with they meds. These two would go hand in hand. 

The question of what role a persons spiritual reality plays in walking and living with the reality of depression is a valid one. 

http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/wounded-spirit

and

http://www.desiringgod.org/books/when-the-darkness-will-not-lift

These are two helpful resources for the christian who is struggling with depression. 

God is in the mess with us. He is at work in us and though our real struggles he brings glory to himself. He is our very help in time of need and to a Christian struggling depression , a very real hope. Having said that, I was invited to a talk by a psychiatrist , a Christian, on depression and one of the key points he made stuck with me. He shared that a depressed person often feels and experiences God as remote and far off and therefore struggles in his / her faith walk. 

I was challenged that we who are well, need to be there for those who are ill.

I would also like to share here, that I think some Christan talk on how to live with depression is unhelpful. The kind that seems to suggest that the person just needs to "try" harder and have more trusting faith. The kind of talk that suggests that the person just needs to sort themselves out. 

If a person had a broken leg would we dare to say such hollow things?

and yet, when it comes to things of the mind...... we approach these  with a really weird and warped theology.

It is not wrong to want healing and to ask for it. But it is God's will and perfect purpose in our lives if he would grant it. It is his gift to give and he does so freely and willingly , not depending on how much faith I may or may not have. 

Depression. It is sadly a real part of this fallen world. What I do know is that one day, all those who struggle with it that are born again, will rise to a new reality - one that is depression free and full of life with him who has called you.

Let us who are well in mind help those who struggle by carrying their real burden with them.

Let us keep loving and talking about depression.

------for all those who walk this road and struggle with The Black Dog, I salute you. And for all those who patiently walk alongside them - Gods hands and feet.