What is the role of God’s Word in the fight against depression?
I first wrote this post (Fall 2017) for Bryan Lowe’s website, “Broken Believers.” But its message is so central to the purpose of my blog, I want to put it on my site. Due to a link I sent to Twitter and to Facebook, it is possible a few of you have read it. But I figure most of you haven’t.
Years ago, in a public venue, I extolled the value of wielding God’s Word as a weapon against depression. Before I finished my comments, a listener blurted out, “That’s oversimplification of a complex condition! You think you can cure depression by flinging a Bible verse at it? That’s totally unrealistic.”
If he had allowed me to finish, he would have heard my comment in its larger context.
When I tout God’s Word as a weapon against depression, I’m not saying that depression suddenly evaporates when I read the Bible or ponder a verse I’ve memorized. I’m not saying that having regular devotions in the Bible will forestall the onset of depressive episodes. I’m not advocating the neglect of medical or psychological treatment, nor other resources of the Spirit, such as fellowship and prayer. But I am saying that anchoring myself in God’s Word is nonetheless integral to my endurance. In particular, the promises of Scripture keep me from giving up and yielding to the despair.
In Future Grace, John Piper emphasizes that “wherever despondency comes from, Satan paints with a lie. The lie says, ‘You will never be happy again. You will never be strong again. You will never have vigor and determination again. Your life will never again be purposeful. There is no morning after this night. No joy after weeping. All is gathering gloom, darker and darker.’”
When I’m bombarded with a similar message of hopelessness, I buttress my faith with verses that combat Satan’s lies, such as these words from Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” Another buoyant promise that keeps me from drowning in discouragement is Nahum 1:7: “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.”
No matter how I’m feeling, I strive to cling to a right view of God, as depicted in these words from Isaiah 30:18: “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.”
I can’t prevent an onset of despondency by memorizing Scripture, but I can shorten its stay and minimize its effects by focusing on God: Who He is, what He has done for me, and what He has pledged Himself to do.
The author of Psalm 73:26 also fought despair by riveting his attention on truth about God. He acknowledged weakness and despondency with these words: “My flesh and my heart may fail.” But he refused to yield to discouragement. He battled back by telling himself, “But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
An occasional effect of depression in relation to my work is the inability to feel God’s presence as I prepare for and teach classes at Columbia International University. That’s when I lock my mental lens on Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Like the Psalmist, I “preach to myself,” or engage in biblical self-talk. I remind myself that He is with me whether or not I feel His presence. I tell myself that God’s Word, which promises His presence, is far more reliable than my fickle feelings that question His presence.
When I go to Scripture, does the depression magically evaporate? No, yet I work with renewed confidence and vigor, and take the next step rather than yielding to despair.
I don’t give in to the urge to cancel classes or quit because I don’t feel God’s presence. I wield God’s Word because no matter what causes my depression, I still have a spiritual battle to fight. Will I believe the hopeless message that permeates my mind when I’m depressed, or will I believe what God says that puts my current despair in the context of eternity and His character?
When has the Lord sustained you through His written Word?
What questions still percolate in your mind on the role of God’s Word in battling depression?
Terry, that you walk this path fighting depression gives your writing more credibility in my opinion. You don’t write from head knowledge alone, but your writing is infused with heart because of your experiential knowledge, and obviously, the beautiful work of God. I also highly value your honesty!
I “get it” with what the listener called out to you in your public speaking event as I have felt many recklessly wield God’s Word, especially in this sensitive area of battle with no real knowledge of what those of us struggle with.
A Scripture you quoted grabbed my heart – Isaiah 30:18: “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.” My head knows such truth, but my heart often fears because I doubt God’s good intentions for me. I value your reminder to focus on what God says and not what my head tries to dictate.
Thank you for your writing and wielding God’s Word in a far more skilled manner than some.
Grateful,
Melody ~
Thanks for you warm and kind note. Your words mean a lot to me! Terry on Feb 1