5 Things Christians Can Do When They Feel Depressed

Depression is a mental health issue that still has a significant stigma in the church body. Many Christians minimize depression as “being all in someone’s head” and say that they should snap out of it. But depression doesn’t work that way. Although there are different types of depression, when you feel depressed it can be debilitating despite the treatment you may seek.

5 Things Christians Can Do When They Feel Depressed

Christians need to be more aware and more compassionate toward those who are suffering from mental health issues such as depression. Despite the support (or lack thereof) in the Christian community, there are things Christians can do to help themselves when they feel depressed. Here are five things Christians can do when they feel depressed:

Pray

No matter the issue, the most potent weapon for Christians is prayer. Prayer allows people not to feel alone. When they are talking to God about their problems, it is like free therapy. They can talk to God, knowing he’s listening to them. Even in their darkest moments of despair, when they feel like God is not listening, they can still talk to him and pour out their feelings.

This is a cathartic and therapeutic process for people with depression. They can pour out their anger, grief, sadness, and all the other feelings that they feel when they’re depressed. They may even ask good questions like, “Why is this happening to me?” Cry out to God and ask Him the questions you have. Pour out your feelings to him.

Whether you feel God is listening to you or not, He hears your cries. God can turn even the most despairing situation around positively. Ask God to turn your depression around and heal you entirely from it. Regardless of His response, we are called to ask God for everything. When you lay down your pride and humbly ask God your prayer requests, He is faithful to hear you.

Have elders lay hands on you

James 5:14-16 says, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

If you don’t belong to a local church, you need to find one. The church is a group of simultaneously redeemed and sinful people that ideally can be an excellent and safe environment for you to express your feelings regarding depression.

Although you may find people who don’t understand the disease entirely, you may find a leadership who will lay hands on you, anoint you with oil, and ask the Lord for healing. God’s will is always to heal his children, though not always in this world. We may see that healing in heaven. Regardless of God’s response, we must follow Scripture, have elders pray over us, and ask God for his healing touch upon our bodies.

Repent

Although some forms of depression are based on circumstances, some forms of depression are clinical, meaning they happen from chemical imbalances in the body.

Regardless of the source of the depression, it is essential to constantly make sure your soul is free from unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, sadness, and any other negative emotions that may be affecting your mood. It will be difficult to find long-term healing if your brain is filled with angry thoughts and your heart is filled with bitterness, rage, and resentment.

Take the time to ask God for forgiveness for any of your sins. If you have any sins in your life that are keeping you from having an intimate relationship with God, change your ways and actions. Ask God to bring to your mind any people whom you have not forgiven.

Forgiveness needs to be sought every day from God and done every day for others. If you are striving to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, the chances of depression lifting permanently increase.

Talk to a leader

Once you join a local church body, find a trusted leader or person who has the wisdom to help you process your depression. You may need someone to lend a listening ear or pass a tissue. It also helps to have people pray and know they are interceding on your behalf.

Because depression is so prevalent, you may find other church members who have gone through the same disorder and have found help. Brainstorm and ask if there are things you could be doing besides your current treatment to help you overcome this condition.

Make a group chat and keep your friends updated regularly regarding your progress. It is also helpful to have a group chat to know that people check in with you often, besides just once a week at church. You can express yourself per request, and people can express themselves per request to you. The reciprocity of that friendship will help build trust and intimacy, which will help you feel less alone on the darkest days of your depression.

Read

In this information age, we have access to millions of books on any and every subject. Ask around and find Christian and non-Christian authors who speak on the topic of depression. Read their books and find out if there are treatment plans available. For example, a lack of vitamin D can contribute to depression symptoms.

Are there other vitamins you could take daily to help combat this disorder? Buy some books and carefully read them. God gave you today for a reason. Give your health concerns to Him and pray that He will turn them around.

Podcasts are also a great way to consume information. Find a podcast or two on mental health and see if they can give generic tips or advice to help you cope with day-to-day life. It is essential to equip yourself with the tools necessary to thrive in this disorder and not simply be alive.

Once you have received some information, be sure to pass that information on to others who may also be suffering from this disorder. People need to be equipped with information just as much as you need to. It will give you a sense of purpose to be able to help people with this disorder.

Read articles on the subject as well. If you are good at writing, write some articles and see if you can get them published. Start a blog and journey your process through the depression journey. People may find it uplifting and encouraging as they suffer from the same disorder.

Depression can be a debilitating disorder. However, we have many tools to help us cope with many diseases. Additionally, we have the church body to help us with anything we need. With a few simple requests and becoming more engaged in your local church body, you may find that God gives you a supportive group of people who pray for you, help you, and equip you with tools to overcome this disorder.