Billy Graham said that when he gets overwhelmed and or depressed he goes to the cross and prays the burdens on his heart. If Billy Graham can get depressed, then so can you and I. If Billy Graham can be up front and honest with this, then so can you and I. If we as Christians would first of all honestly address our depression and anxiety we could then address the problem. Problem is we don't talk about it. We don't mention it. We don't ask for prayer for it. Why not? Fear. Fear of rejection, accusations of not having enough faith, suggestions of unaddressed sins, and many other things we come up with out of our fear. When is the last time that you stood up in church when the pastor asked if anyone needed prayer and said, "I need prayer for my depression and anxiety. I'm at the point of suicide." Knowing that few if any have actually done such a brave thing, I want to tell you that I fight with depression and anxiety daily. People don't understand the depression and anxiety. Nor do they want to. If you hear what is really going on there is an inclusion of your action to pray, counsel, or just be with that person. It might interrupt the game you were going to watch on TV.
There are many different levels of depression. First there is dysthymia where a person has a low grade depression all the time. They have lived with it for a long time usually and this is their "normal". They generally don't ask for help much less admit something is wrong. The next distinction is cyclothymic depression. As it's name indicates, the depression cycles in and out of your life. The cycling can be rapid or seldom and is not always noticeable in a person's life. The cycling can be shallow depression to deep depression. People sometimes say they feel like they have dropped into a hole. Bipolar depression has two components. First there is the cycle we have already talked about. Added to this designation are times when you feel "high" able to function above the crowd, and are convinced that you don't have a problem at all. Many of these cycles of highs and lows are on the level where daily functioning is still capable. The deeper the depression, the less functioning takes place. The cycles can also be short or long. The longer the depression goes untreated the longer the residing in that cycle gets. Borderline personality disorder has a component of self harm where feelings are so extreme that extreme measures are taken to "feel". People with borderline personality disorder self harm in many different ways. This depression is very debilitating. Major depressive disorder is a very serious level of depression that is most often very debilitating. People who drop into this depression are more often than not seriously depressed and have a difficult time functioning. These are very simplified descriptions of the different types of depression. Anxiety follows in many of the depressions listed. You know someone or you are someone who has one of these problems in your life. And you are a Christian. How do we reconcile that?
The expectation is that Christians are happy go lucky people who have given all their cares and concerns to Jesus. Nothing can happen to burst that bubble and heaven forbid you or I say something that might actually render us human and in need of help. Expectations of "giving it to Jesus" are frequently spoken along with the "just get over it" from the church and the world. People challenge your faith and accuse you of having inferior or insufficient faith. After all, if you believe that God can do all things why are you depressed and anxious? We are the only army in the world that abandons our wounded. Have a problem, the church doesn't want to hear it. That's not a rule for some churches and some Christians. My experience with my own depression and others depression leads me to state the truth. The truth is there is an attitude that we shouldn't have problems if we are Christians and truly have the faith that comes with our faith in God.
Hats off the those, like Billy Graham, who have told the truth and are no less human than before we knew. Hats off to those who seek help. Hats off to those who recognize a problem and offer help in any of a number of forms. Hats off to those who honestly understand we are not perfect but are perfectly safe to include in a fellowship. Hats off to all the believers who are praying for those afflicted in many different ways. Hats off to the pastors who understand and are merciful and considerate with who they are preaching to and who they are preaching for. Sometimes we do not see the deliverance we seek. It's not because of sin necessarily, though it might be. More often we are in a situation for the glory of God. I don't like that and neither do the many Christians I've talked with and ministered to. Hats off to those afflicted who have kept moving down the tough road that's before them. Hats off to medicine and counseling by COMPETENT people who see us as humans being first and foremost. Hats off to those who can help us see outside of the hole. There are Christians all around you who are depressed and anxious. What are you going to do?
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