Dark Night of the Soul

[Butterflywoman]

In the Garden with Christ: Depression and the Dark Night of the Soul

(Matt. 26:36) Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go yonder and pray." And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me." And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed. "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt."

I always read this story when I get depressed because it describes how I feel. Of course, I realize that the reasons I am depressed do not compare to the reasons Christ was "sorrowful," but if you have ever suffered from severe, clinical depression you understand the comparison.

Depression has been around a long time and we still don’t understand it fully. Scientists say it is a physiological disorder and refer to it as clinical depression. For more about this, read the The Noonday Demon, by Andrew Solomon. The author discusses medication as a solution. Those who dismiss this say the problem is rooted in a stressful, traumatic childhood. The answer is talk therapy with a licensed, psychotherapist. Those who are prejudiced (afraid of depression) say, "It is all in your head. Stop feeling sorry for yourself."

I believe that depressed people should explore both talk therapy and medication (with the help of professionals) and also diminish any negative thinking they might have with optimism. (For more about this approach read Feeling Good, by David Burns.) However, I also believe that Christians have another obligation when it comes to treating depression—surrendering it to God as Christ did in the Garden of Gethsemane.

What does surrendering our depression actually mean? Well let’s look at what Christ did. His first act was to go to a quiet place to pray. But he did not go alone. He took his best friends. I, too, call upon my friends when I first get depressed, and they do bring me some solace. However, like Christ, I often find them useless when the depression is really bad, because they really don’t know how to help me. When that happens I just go to bed.

In bed, I begin bargaining with God just as Christ did. "Take this cup from me," I pray. "I am tired of being depressed. It has been going on too long. I feel like the weight of the world in on my shoulders. I do not understand why I am depressed. I don’t want to be depressed. Why is this happening to me?" Eventually the diminish any self-pity wanes and I go to sleep with a prayer of surrender and acceptance on my lips—"Thy will be done," I say. "I love you. Give me strength."

When I wake up the next day, getting out of bed feels like being whisked off to Caiaphas—although I am actually just going off to work. But off I go. I get out of bed. I fix myself breakfast. I get in the car and drive to work. I know if I can just get through the next few hours the heavy blanket of depression will be lifted to some degree.

Why do I tell you all of this? I want everyone out there who suffers from depression to know that you are not alone. Our numbers are legion. And there is hope. For years I was suicidally depressed. Today, I am a high-functioning, sometimes-depressed person. And although I do not know if my depression is manageable because I see a therapist once a week or take medication, I do know the strength to face my depression, and bear it, is a direct result of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

He has filled my heart with his love for me and his endless sympathy for my condition. Most of all, he has helped me understand that I must courageously bear my sorrow, just as he did in the garden. I must turn my "eyes upon Jesus" and "look full in His wonderful face." And when I do, "the things of earth … grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace" (Words and music by Helen H. Lemmel).

[best]

"Thy will be done," I say. "I love you. Give me strength."


I remember reading of a preacher who brought the understanding of God to a group in a hospital. What medicine and counselors could not find answers for, the preacher did.
Seek first the Kingdom of God is my thought but I realize that some people may be depressed to a point that can't or won't listen as you share about the Lord.
Drs can be a wonderful tool that God uses to help people find answers and Jesus is the answer. Drs and medicine help the physical part of things... Jesus helps the spiritual.

[toad]

Riding a bicycle, exercising, and taking the proper vitamins has helped me with depression. Also visiting the elderly in nursing homes always lifts me up. Thanks for sharing your good post.

[caileesnana]

Thanks, great post!
susan

[Grasshopper]

Confession, and making amends to others for the harm that ive done.Keeping praying for God,s Help,is what,worked for me!!!

[xjunkie4u]

I like what you wrote, even though I wished you we not depressed. You have gotten some relief and you know it's from Jesus. I also have terrible depression/anxiety and have stopped the antidpessants. I thinks that meds are helpfull but too overused. I feel that for me, I have a spirtual sickness (narcotics) and have had some victory in that area but not complete victory. I feel (unlike the shrinks) thay I need to stay in the word and keep fellowshiping with christians and I don't have a prazak deficiency and won't need to take it all my life like some shrinks told me. It's tough but so far so good and it's real. all the best

[best]

Originally Posted by xjunkie4u

I feel (unlike the shrinks) thay I need to stay in the word and keep fellowshiping with christians and I don't have a prazak deficiency and won't need to take it all my life like some shrinks told me. It's tough but so far so good and it's real. all the best

Welcome xj
I fully agree with your thought and know that Jesus can heal us 100% of anything but that doesn't mean He will heal every single person who asks.
The more we put our trust in God and the more we stay in the word and in prayer... Yes we do heal from so many things.
Depression can be caused by many things though. Most of the time it can be a spiritual short coming that puts us or keep us in depression, other cases can be cause by a chemical imbalance and a Dr that understands both medical(physical) and spiriual things would know when it is best to give an RX vs counseling.

I see it as... we do what we can as suggested above by many, and stay in God word as well as pray. Some people may find that after doing all that we are able that the depression still remains to some degree. At such a point, a Dr would be a good idea in my opinion.

I think that meds are helpfull but too overused.

As do I. The hard part I would think would be finding a Dr that understands the physical needs of the body's workings but also the spiritual needs that can cause the physical to get off kilter. A Dr that understands both would maybe be a Dr that doesn't overuse meds.