Why are SO many of us depressed?

[jelli<><]

How could the Lord use major trials in our lives to "ready" us for the end?

[Patty T]

Originally posted by jelli<><
How could the Lord use major trials in our lives to "ready" us for the end?

We endure major trials so we can minister to other people.

Can't have a testimony without a test.

Can't really minister to someone going through a problem unless you've been there yourself.

He always finds a way to use each and every circumstance :thumb

[SeaDreamer]

I'm not really understanding the question but I'll give it a shot based on my personal experience.

In addition to what Patty T said I believe trials also build our faith. God has proven His faithfulness time and time again which has built my faith up.

As my faith has grown my fears have diminished. Things that could really frighten me five years ago hardly get a second thought now.


Trials have also taught me thankfulness and to be appreciative. I daily thank the Lord for all kinds of things. I was an ingrate before and took too much for granted.

All of this has had a humbling affect also.

[sunshine4jesus]

Next Wed. we are studying that. Job and Paul.

Something about purifying through chastening. We were in Proverbs 3 with the emphasis tonight on verses 11-12, hence the deeper study next week.

SeaDreamer and Patty T :thumb :thumb

[Medic911]

IMHO?

Because so many of us spend 5 hours a day on the internet, instead of getting exercise , sunshine, and playing with our kids.

[JustGodsChild]

Originally posted by Medic911
IMHO?

Because so many of us spend 5 hours a day on the internet, instead of getting exercise , sunshine, and playing with our kids.

Question, have you ever been diagnosed with depression? I know I have. For some people, yeah it's lack of outside time whatever. However, for other people who have a chemical imbalance, they have an actual medical condition. They can't help being in a depressed state. Though medicine and therapy can help, sometimes it doesn't.

[Doobie56]

I am not so sure how any of our own trials actually "ready" us for the end. But I do recall in the Bible, how the Lord said that we will reach people by our testimony. "The testimony of our mouth" I believe is how it was put. not too sure on that.

But as for your orignal question on the title of this thread? I am sort of believing like Medic. I do know that some suffer from an imbalance. And some the lack of medical care. However, getting 'away' from things and people and enviorments I do believe help us and those who are truly mentally ill with depression. I didn't say cure it, I said it helps to ease it.

[JustGodsChild]

Originally posted by Doobie56
I am not so sure how any of our own trials actually "ready" us for the end. But I do recall in the Bible, how the Lord said that we will reach people by our testimony. "The testimony of our mouth" I believe is how it was put. not too sure on that.

But as for your orignal question on the title of this thread? I am sort of believing like Medic. I do know that some suffer from an imbalance. And some the lack of medical care. However, getting 'away' from things and people and enviorments I do believe help us and those who are truly mentally ill with depression. I didn't say cure it, I said it helps to ease it.

I see your point Doobie. It can help ease it but not cure. Not for everyone but for some people. I know for me, medication is what helped me.
Besides, who is to say that RR doesn't help some people with their depression? ;):

[Mongoose60]

Then there is also the issue or fact if you will,that this is certainly one area that evil likes to bring upon people.

[KrispyKritter]

Obviously some depression is brought on by chemical imbalances that can be helped by medical treatment. My response is not meant to address those folks.

Unforgiveness causes a lot of depression among Christians. Some have never accepted God's forgiveness. Others hold unforgiveness toward other people.

One thing that is seriously lacking in the Body of Christ today is putting on the mind of Christ. How do we do that? Studying and memorizing His Word. It's amazing the number of believers who are completely ignorant of God's Word, and Banra Research has shown this in their polls.

I believe that if Christians spent more time reading the Word and studying it (there is a difference!), and less time watching TV or pursuing other forms of wordly entertainment... then you would see the number of depressed Christians fall dramatically.

[CamelPower]

jelli<><:

2 Corinthians 1:3-10 tells us that we have the many trials of life and experience God's comfort so that we can comfort others. Remember that God does not place anything on us that we are not spiritually equipped to endure (1 Corinthians 1:13), but gives us the means to resist.

[jelli<><]

Camelpower,

I just got my first copy of "Discipleship Magazine" today and read it front to cover.

One article was about trials and suffering. The Lord really answered my questions about this through a man that wrote it

& :nod , you right!

2 Corinthians 1:3-10 tells us that we have the many trials of life and experience God's comfort so that we can comfort others. Remember that God does not place anything on us that we are not spiritually equipped to endure (1 Corinthians 1:13), but gives us the means to resist.

[SeaDreamer]

Originally posted by CamelPower
2 Corinthians 1:3-10 tells us that we have the many trials of life and experience God's comfort so that we can comfort others. Remember that God does not place anything on us that we are not spiritually equipped to endure (1 Corinthians 1:13), but gives us the means to resist.

I really like the way this is worded. What translation is it? It reminds me of my New Living Translation.

[Brad MetalMan]

Here is a little testimony of mine

Two and a half years ago (Summer 2001) I was realing from two events in my life that really effected me for the worse. My grandmother died in December 2000, and my girlfriend broke up with me out of the blue not too long ago. We had a good relationhship. My grandmother was the first person to die in my life that I was close to after I had rededicated my life to God, and I really did not know how to deal with her passing away.

To be honest, I started to doubt that humans lived beyond the grave, which nearly destroyed my faith. I became very depressed, and got caught up in sins of lust (which I experimented with in order to hide my pain). I soon felt condemnation from the enemy, and seemed to not know God's grace and forgiveness at all.

I became suicidal. I even left the house one day with the possible intention of killing myself.

But I did not. Instead I went to the doctor. We had me tested foe depression cause by biological causes, and I tested negative.

I kind of left it hanging at that. But my depression did not go away no matter how much I sought God and even after I became able to cope with the loss of grandma and got over my girlfriend. I stayed depressed on and off all the time.

Well a couple of weeks ago, I went back to the doctor about something not related at all to my depression. After I was done talking with him, he asked me how my depression was doing. I told him that I still suffered from it but was no longer suicidal.

He had me take a test to see if I suffer from depression. Lo and behold it said that I suffer from mild depression. My doctor encouraged me to do some research on depression and that he thought that my depression probably fluctuates based on circumstances in my life. It is possible that the best thing I can do is be aware that I go through bouts of depression that can be triggered by events in my life. My doctor told me that it might be a good idea to take advantage of counciling at my school. Since my depression is not caused by a chemical inbalances, I really can't medicate it away.

I told my mom all this and she told me that her family has a history of hereditary depression. She suffers from it and so does my sister.

I can tell you that knowing all this gives me so much peace. You should do some research too.

[Lurkinguy]

How could the Lord use major trials in our lives to "ready" us for the end? For me, major trials have been very humbling and reminded me to trust God....not myself or man. And as a result of these experiances, I do have a story to tell others who may be interested in hearing.
Why are SO many of us depressed? I have wondered about this myself. We have every reason to be jumping for joy, but still find ourselves down in the dumps sometimes.

I know there are physical reasons for depression and many are on medication to help control those disorders.
The kind I feel is more of a reaction to events that happen in the world....daily, it seems.

I watch the news....and read the paper.....and monitor RR to stay up with current events.
But, I have to tell ya, what I see is a noticiable deterioration of values and a huge lack of concern for others.
The lives of others seem to have no value to some people.

My wife reminds me tha the "good" news doesn't make the front page. And I suppose that is true.

But what depresses me is what DOES make the front page.

Maybe the reason the news bothers us so much is because of what we know about God's love for man and man's inability to have compassion for his brothers.

Someday......it will be different........

[John Tyson]

Grace and peace to you all.

Thankfully, I've never been one who is prone to depression. Oh, I've had my trials (who of us hasn't?) and have been depressed, but I think the Lord has given me a generally happy spirit. But whenever rough times come, I'm reminded and comforted by these words of our Lord in John 16:33 (KJV):
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

God bless,
John

- edited for spelling-

[John Tyson]

Grace and peace to you all.

Bad news and evil times.

Billy Graham was on the Larry King show and Larry asked, "Rev Graham, when you see all the evil that seems to be happening in this world, doesn't that disturb you (paraphrased)?" Billy Graham's reply was beautiful, "Yes Larry it does disturb me. But Jesus said in the parable of the tares and the wheat (Matt 13:24-30) that as the tares grow larger so does the wheat. The tares represents evil, the wheat represents good. So Larry, yes evil is getting larger, but so is good. I thank God for the good. But also, the Lord's parable tells me that when both the tares and wheat are mature, the harvest is coming soon, which means that Jesus will be returning soon (paraphrased)."

God bless,
John

[Lurkinguy]

Very nice John. Thanks.

[jelli<><]

Oh, thanks John! What a blessing to hear those words!

I'm so thankful for the believers on this board ~ the Lord is using rr to build up the saints, imo.

I'm depressed because I'm having to watch my 8 yr. old daughter suffer from panic attacks. Its heart breaking. :(: It runs in my family. My granmother, mom & I have all had them. We have gotten help for her, but she remains feeling anxious most of the time. Before these attacks, she was so care free and fun loving.

I just don't understand sometimes why children have to suffer so.
I know the Lord is working all things to good ~ my problem is that I can't see what He's planning through this and it seems like senseless pain. I wish I could be better at walking by faith and not by sight. I'm finding out how little my faith really is in trials ~ that's scary. Maybe I'm just a fair-weather Christian:(: hope not. I want to be strong, but I feel I'm falling apart watching my child's pain.

Frozen with fear about what may happen to her, I can hardly pray for this problem.. I have no problem praying for others though:confused

There must be a reason for our trials being so strong now. Most every believer I know is truly suffering more now than ever.

Are we being purified or made to hate this world more in preparation for His return? jelli

[Medic911]

Question, have you ever been diagnosed with depression? I know I have. For some people, yeah it's lack of outside time whatever. However, for other people who have a chemical imbalance, they have an actual medical condition. They can't help being in a depressed state. Though medicine and therapy can help, sometimes it doesn't.
Actually, yes... and I have two very deep scars on both arms to prove it.
;):
By God's Grace, that was about 15 years ago, and it's been about 5 years since I've even felt a hint of depression... but I'm no stranger to it.

I don't mean to imply that 'lack of outside time' alone is responsible... but it unquestionably exacerbates the problem. It's like a vicious circle... much like obesity. One feels too depressed to get out, so they sit home and grow increasingly depressed. This makes it more difficult to pull oneself out of the pit of dispair, and 'round-and-'round it goes.

[ShagNappy]

People in this day and age give up to easy. People get down and they resign themselves to it and refuse to fight it. Or, they think a magic little pill each day makes it all better but do nothing to assist the medication or themselves and generally stay in the same miserable rut they are accustomed to.

For the record, I was diagnosed with depression as well as severe, multi-symptom OCD. Had pills rammed down my throat. Saw a bunch of doctors. So I am not talking out my backside here.

Medication is a short term fix while you learn to cope with your depression and any underlying causes of it. It is not meant to be taken everyday for the rest of your life. When it quits working, doubling the doss is not the answer. In 20 years you will have to take 3 pills a day the size of basketballs. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, or some type of therapy, is necessary to teach you the proper skillsets so that you can deal with depression and stop it before it takes hold. Yes, even with chemical imbalances.

People must take on depression as if they were fighting a pack of rabid pitbulls for ther very life. Becoming comfortable in your misery or popping pills for the rest of your life is not the answer. That's why so many are depressed, very few are getting better.

And Medic is right. To much sitting in a building somewhere in front of some techogizmo is part of the problem. It gives people a way to avoid real life so they don't have to face their troubles head on....

[Hootmon]

The medications can hep ease the symptoms, but not the causes.

Find your 'Rest' in God. You arent in this alone.

[duckdogger]

I haven't read the previous posts. But we all have disappointments. That's the way life is. People, even our closest friends and family, contribute.

Its the turning over of these small issues to God that keeps us healthy. Instead, we try to "handle" the little issues. Why bother God with the minutia?

Unresolved disappointments accumulate and we become discouraged. Now, we should really be turning these over to God but too often we keep at it. Why? Because we are mature Christians and by golly, He who is within me, is greater the he who is in the world.

But we miss the point. It ain't me; it is He. And it is He who has to win the victory.

Anyway, like credit card interest, discouragement compounds and the next thing we have is a creeping depression. We loose hope. And too often thats where the professionals and the medications come in.

There is a lot in the world to be disappointed about at present. For sure. On a personal level, our financial health and the prospects for improvement or the fear of it worsening. The economy of the country and the war in the ME. The swirling downward spiral of this country into the sewer. A lot of things to take the smile off most faces.

I hope God's prayer-mail inbox is really busy.

[janh7]

I agree with Duck and Medic. Another thing...if we concentrate on helping others, serving, I believe it is beneficial to our emotional health. I too have been through the suicide attempt, depression thing many years ago and sometimes it still tries to raise its ugly head and people tell me to just go to the dr and get a prescription. I don't plan to do that. I am of the philosophy that we are a people with a great range of emotions and that is a gift from our creator. Beauty can come out of the depths of despair. Some of our most beautiful poetry and art and music and dance have been birthed from such pain. We all have chemical imbalances: that is relative. What is normal? The one thing I have learned is that things always get better. I get my mind off of myself, go outside and look up. Have you ever noticed that at a time like 9-11 we get outside of ourselves, we pull together we actually get excited and become proactive/united in a cause? In the face of such tragedy, we came together. Its about caring about others and getting our minds on eternity. Most importantly praising and worshipping Jesus is the best way to ward off depression.

[I Believe!!!]

Unresolved disappointments accumulate and we become discouraged. Now, we should really be turning these over to God but too often we keep at it. Why? Because we are mature Christians and by golly, He who is within me, is greater the he who is in the world.

Boy, did I identify with this comment, duckdogger! Thanks for reminding me to trust God, even with the "little" things.

[Mongoose60]

I keep thinking of the times to come when evil will no longer be around to hinder us and put us down.

[SeaDreamer]

Jelli, you and your daughter are in my prayers.