By Leah Mason-Virgin
I'm still surprised that in 2019 we have Christians who feel that there should be no depression/mental health issues in Christians nor should Christians need therapy. But, I saw a post encouraging people to embrace Jesus and therapy.
Today I posted a beautiful verse from Paul in 2ndCorinthians Chapter 7:6. The verse states that God is with the depressed and that God brings people to be an encouragement and help.
6 But God, who comforts the [b]depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
Jesus anointed and sent out disciples to be healers and speakers of the good news. God had anointed Titus to minister and be the therapist for Paul in his distress.
God has anointed each of us for the chosen tasks He has for us. Each person a member of the body of Christ with a unique calling and abilities and gifts.
I believe strongly that Christians battle depression even more than most realize. Christians are under attack from the evil one (yes I know American Christians don't like to talk about Satan). Satan is real and seeks to create depression, chaos, anxiety, barricades to our calling and the work that God wants us to do.
I also believe strongly that the ever increasing toxicity of our food and our bodies is a huge contributing factor to depression and other diseases that present with depression.
We need the anointed therapists, nutrition coaches, natural paths, and regular healthcare practitioners to triumph over this sinful broken world along with the word of God spoken, prayed, and acted upon.
King David in the old testament was depressed over and over by his enemies. One of God's most powerful profits suffered a huge mental and emotional breakdown after being apart of the power of God (see the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 & 19).
God demonstrates many different healing modalities in the Bible. Everything from miraculous instant healing, herbs, baths, salves, physical laying on of hands, fasting, and even denying Paul healing in this realm.
Not one Christian should judge another's route to healing. At this writing I rely on herbs, oils, proclamations, prayer, acupuncture, and the words from friends to guide me over top of my emotions and through my circumstances.
We can ask God to lead us to those that will help us find healing. We can ask for complete healing. We can accept that we will have to use multiple healing modalities throughout our life. We can accept that this world is not our home and that complete restoration only comes on the other side of heaven BUT that we are to walk this world with Jesus and shine our light to all others. We can shine the light of Christ and still be on a healing journey. We can speak to others and uplift others even though we ourselves might be struggling.
Never give up on healing. Never give up on life. Keep seeking, knocking, and asking (Matthew 7:7) until you have found the tools that bring you to the joyful life in Christ—NOT the joy/happiness that American culture talks about, but the deep mature peace and joy that comes from knowing that Christ walked this earth and experienced every pain imaginable AND walks with us at every single moment of every single day! AMEN!
Please prayerfully seek a Christian counselor if you struggle with depression that is destroying your ability to function. Find the Psychologist and medications and tools you need!
If you are struggling with circumstances that are hard and bring you down enroll in my Bible Study course: 5 Days To Less Stress In Hard Times at https://leah-s-school-1b4f.thinkific.com/enroll/553896?price_id=584527
Or learn more and sign up to receive notifications of my posts and new Bible Studies that are coming soon: www.BurstingWithBlessings.com
May God lead and guide you to all that He wants for your life. Amen!
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
