Yes, there are depressed Christians

Yes, there are depressed Christians

A Christian can’t be sad. And depressed? Forget about it! A depressed Christian is an oxymoron. That goes against what is taught, thought, and practiced, right?

Depression is a life-threatening condition. Fact. Those with depression may feel sad, but they may also feel irritable or even emotionally drained. Another fact.

These facts don’t seem like they belong to the faithful, do they?

Actually, they can. In last week’s sermon, we opened the story of Elijah and the Broom Tree (I Kings 19). The sermon went in another direction as we’re in a series about breaking chains, but this needs to be shared. Topnotch Elijah, who is known for his faithfulness, suddenly finds himself physically and mentally exhausted. Under a tree, he cries out for this life to end (verse 4b).

Elijah isn’t alone. The Apostle Paul suffered many afflictions as listed in his letter to the Corinthian Christians in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. Also, earlier, in 2 Corinthians 1:8, he, along with Timothy, writes, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.”

Physically and mentally exhausted? Crushed? Overwhelmed? Hardly sounds like a big party where cake is shared to celebrate success.

So, why is it so hard for some to be a Christian sometimes? Is it a sign of failure of faith?

I don’t think so. I think we’re human and those who do God’s work are up for some tremendous challenges. If you’ve ever heard God’s call and faced what seems like the impossible, you know what I mean.

“There are no superheroes among believers,” writes Daniel McKinley in the November 2017 blog from Christian Living called, “Under the Broom Tree with Elijah: Depression Among God’s Servants.” McKinley says there are just people “called to a work that far exceeds their own strength. The victories won are the triumph of God’s grace, but physically our bodies are still weak and earthly, susceptible to illness and exhaustion. Should it come as any surprise that the mind is subject to infirmities and exhaustion as well? Do we not all take on a little too much from time to time?”

Serious depression calls for serious treatment, and if you suspect your pastor, faith-based leader, committee leader or friend showing any effects of depression, don’t ignore this or simply “pray on it.” Talk about it not with an answer, a platitude, or a fix-it verse from scripture.

Approach the one you care about with your heart open, your love present, and care being the first part of a plan.

Our God is good. Our God is also God. We are not. A Christian can be sad. A Christian can be depressed. A Christian may need your help, or, as a Christian, you may need the help from someone else. Admit this not just to God, but to those nearby.

And join now in prayer for those suffering from sadness and depression, from crushing jobs and less than understanding congregations when the workloads are too heavy in the moment.