This page/post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, as well as an affiliate of other programs, this means if you purchase something using these links, I will receive a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you! For more detailed information, please visit our Affiliate Disclaimer page
Christians and depression. They almost seem like an oxymoron when mentioned together. I mean, as a Christian, how can I be depressed? Isn’t it a sin to be depressed? God doesn’t make mistakes, right? We learn that as a child in Sunday school.
What about well-meaning Christian friends who advise that you just need to “give it to God” or walk closer to God or, even, that your depression must be due to a sin in your life?
Let me tell you, dear friend, that yes, you can be a Christian and be depressed, and no, it is not a sin.
There are several key figures in the Bible who, at least at times, struggled with depression. There are quite a few illustrations of Christians and depression in the Bible. Let’s take a look at two of them.
Christians and depression: Bible Characters with Depression
David
David is quite the biblical celebrity.
He was the eighth and youngest son of Jesse from the kingly tribe of Judah. He was also a direct descendant of Ruth the Moabite. David began his life as a shepherd in Bethlehem.
One day, the prophet Samuel called him out of the field and anointed him without the knowledge of the current king, Saul.
David, his life, and his story are told in many of the books of the Bible, including Samuel, 1 Chronicles, and most notably, perhaps, the Book of Psalms.
David says in Psalm 42:11, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
We know that David experienced loneliness, and grief over sin and that he felt particularly depressed after the death of his sons. I think it’s safe to say that most of us have experienced sadness and maybe even depression during times of grief and loneliness.
David’s transparency and honesty about how he was feeling give hope that even as King and a man after God’s own heart, depression is real and that he, and we, can overcome it.
Elijah
Elijah was discouraged, weary, and afraid. After his great bold, and courageous victories over the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), this mighty man of God feared and ran for his life, far away from the threats of Jezebel.
And there, in the desert, he sat down and prayed, defeated and worn: “I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4 Elijah seemed to have given up all hope and just wanted to die.
Job
Job was a man of God who suffered an excruciatingly tragic loss – one so great even his wife felt the strain. He had lost everything he owned and more, leaving him in a desperate state.
“Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.”
Job 2:9 (ESV)
Despite the pain and struggles of his life, Job remained faithful to God through it all. He was a beacon in times of trial, an unwavering example that faith is never-ending, no matter how much we may suffer.
“Why did I not die at birth,
Job 3:11 (ESV)
come out from the womb and expire?”
“I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
Job 3:26 (ESV)
I have no rest, but trouble comes.”
“I loathe my life;
Job 10:1 (ESV)
I will give free utterance to my complaint;
I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.”
“Terrors are turned upon me;
Job 30:15-17 (ESV)
my honor is pursued as by the wind,
and my prosperity has passed away like a cloud.
“And now my soul is poured out within me;
days of affliction have taken hold of me.
The night racks my bones,
and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest.”
Moses
Moses had gone to the mountain seeking answers from God and returned with a mission – only to find his beloved people in disarray.
His heart broke for them, so much that he was ready to throw it all away despite having come so far. Thankfully, Moses’ prayers on behalf of their sin were heard by the Lord.
“But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” Exodus 32:32 (ESV)
Jeremiah
Despite his great spiritual faith and strength, Jeremiah faced a life of isolation. Ordered by God to preach yet forbidden from marriage or children, he stood alone in attempting to reach out with love despite being consistently ridiculed and rejected.
He was honest about the despair he felt at times; however, through it all, we are still inspired by his resilience and our admiration for him for not giving up on those who had already given up on him.
“Cursed be the day
Jeremiah 20:14 (ESV)
on which I was born!
The day when my mother bore me,
let it not be blessed!”
“Why did I come out from the womb
Jeremiah 20:18 (ESV)
to see toil and sorrow,
and spend my days in shame?”
Jesus
Our Savior and Lord saw what was coming: a difficult journey of great suffering. But He chose to endure it anyway so that we could live in true freedom – showing us the depth of His love for humanity.
Isaiah spoke prophetically about Christ being “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief,” and our Saviour proved this prophecy right through his sacrificial death on the cross.
He was despised and rejected by men,
Isaiah 53:3 (ESV)
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
No matter what life throws at us, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus is fully aware of our struggles. He faced similar trials without succumbing to sin, which gives us hope and strength on the toughest days.
As the stars shone brightly in the night sky, Jesus spent a long and silent vigil amongst nature’s beauty. Uttering prayers of desperation to His Father above, He pleaded for an alternative destiny.
“And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'”
Mark 14:34-36 (ESV)
The Bible says that so great was his anguish, that he sweat “drops of blood.” (Luke 22:44)
No matter how difficult life gets, these stories show us one thing – God is always with us. He’s never too far away, and his presence can provide strength during hard times.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
Psalm 34:18 (ESV)
and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Christians and Depression – My Story
Have you ever felt that way? Sadly, I have.
Since I was a teenager, I have struggled with depression on and off. After the death of my mother in 1999, I was prescribed an antidepressant by my family doctor.
For sixteen years, I took that daily “happy mommy pill,” as I called it. There were still times that I felt depressed, though. At some points, I had even considered how much better off my family would be without me.
Those in my circle of friends and family who didn’t understand depression or have never experienced it, offered advice “just be happy” they said, “being happy is a choice.” “You have to pray about it” or “give it to God,” they opined.
They told me that Christians and depression did not go together.
During these periods of depression, I withdrew from friends and family. I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything. I felt worthless and overwhelmingly sad. I cried – a lot. I cried out to God, too, asking him why I had to go through this. Sometimes, my depression resulted in sin.
My faith never waivered during these times, though. I still loved the Lord with all of my heart. I still attended church and prayed daily, but yet, I was depressed.
After losing my health insurance in 2015, my doctor prescribed a cheaper, generic antidepressant. The side effects were pretty awful, including nausea, restless leg syndrome, and wild mood swings.
I made a decision, without consulting my doctor (I strongly recommend that you do not do as I did) and stopped taking the antidepressant completely. Then, instead of side effects, I had withdrawal symptoms.
After sixteen years of being medicated for depression, my body was rebelling. For nearly a month, the withdrawal caused sleep problems, nausea, headaches, shakiness, dizziness, violent mood swings, and anger – out of nowhere.
It was truly one of the worst months of my life. My boyfriend, at the time (now husband), stood by me, helped me through, and let me talk, and scream when I needed to. Eventually, the symptoms subsided, and I entered my new normal.
I had not been on any medication for depression since then. Occasionally, I do feel depressed and, more often, anxious, but I’m better able to manage it on my own.
I still have ups and downs with depression since my colon cancer recurred in late 2019, and last year was filled with Dr. appointments, chemo, side effects, surgery, pneumonia, and more chemo.
And, since, four more surgeries and going right into surgical menopause, I am back to taking a light anti-depressant to get me through, but no doubt, it is God who is walking beside me.
When my cancer came back again in late 2022, the doctors had to up my anti-depressant again. As I write this, I am battling deep depression as I wait for the next steps in battling cancer, once again.
So, yes, Christians and depression still go together. I love the Lord with all of my heart but still battle depression.
When I am feeling down, I share it with my husband, and we pray about it and over it. I read my Bible and write scripture in my journal.
One of my favorite verses is Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,”
Or Psalm 34:17-18 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (ESV)
Christians and depression, sadly, do go in the same sentence, at times, but our God is so much bigger than depression or what the evil one tells us and wants us to believe.
“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:17-18 ESV
Christians and depression: that is me. I am a Christian, and I do deal with depression. Depression will always be a part of me. It is how I am wired. How God created me.
But it no longer defines me. I am defined by God as His creation and his daughter. Depression, I believe, comes from Satan, and I know that my God is bigger than depression.
Christians and depression are a reality, and it’s ok. The Bible shows us many examples of Christians and depression. God led them out of it, and he can lead me out of it, and He can walk with you through it, too, my friend.
Christians and Depression: God is With Us
He was an ever-present source of strength during the good days and in their darkest moments. He met them where they were – instead of judging or demanding more, he compassionately embraced them at their lowest point and helped restore hope.
He showed mercy, providing hope amidst despair and giving victory to those who felt defeated. He brought purpose into people’s lives with his compassion – a true beacon of light in the darkness. He truly cared.
Even to this day, God continues to bring joy and hope into our lives. He reminds us that real grace comes from Him alone, and with His help, we will find lasting peace.
We all go through tough times, and our Saviour understands this more than anyone. He’s there to help with anything we need – no matter how difficult it may be – by providing us compassion, hope, and friendship when we’re down. No one else can give what he offers;
He is the ultimate Healer of hearts!
No matter the hardships we encounter, God always has a way of making them purposeful. He’ll use our struggles to bring light and strength into our lives – as well as those around us.
It’s devastating to think about how many people suffer from depression without receiving the help they need. Fortunately, we know that those who do get treatment often start feeling better within a few weeks – which is amazing!
Unfortunately, though, statistics show us that even still, these treatments and therapies don’t always reach everyone in time: 2 out of 3 suicides are linked back to depression each year.
That speaks volumes for why it’s so important for us all to be aware of this condition and seek care if needed.
Struggling on your own is never necessary! Reach out to a trusted friend or professional for help. They can connect you with the treatment and support that will make all the difference.
If the darkness is closing in today, take comfort in knowing that you don’t have to face it alone. God has not forgotten your journey, and He remains with us all through life’s troubles – bringing light into even our darkest places and blessing us still with good things yet to come!
Can a true Christian have depression?
For more resources on Christian depression, consider these recommended books:
Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine
ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
