A few days ago, a friend posted a Voddie Baucham sermon on Facebook. This sermon is on Daniel chapter 4 and is concentrated on Nebuchadnezzar. Let me explain a little for those who may not be familiar with this scripture passage. King Nebuchadnezzar has had a dream and has summoned Daniel to explain the meaning of it. God had pronounced judgment on King Nebuchadnezzar if he did not change his ways, he would be humiliated. He would be isolated from people and made to eat grass. Some would say this judgment has similar aspects of modern-day schizophrenia, a mental health disorder. The sermon made me think about Christians struggling with depression and/or anxiety and taking antidepressants and anti-anxiety medicines.
One thing that stands out from this sermon is Mr. Baucham stating that one should be in counseling with his or her pastor while taking antidepressant medications. I had to stop and ask myself why I am not in counseling with my pastor. Mr. Baucham stated that most Christians on medications for mental health do not utilize their pastor for counseling because they have bought into the hype that mental health is merely physical and has no spiritual component. He states that we are bi-part beings, meaning we are physical and spiritual, so everything we do should be bi-part, including our search for mental health help. For me, that's not the case. At least, I don't think it is. I believe I don't utilize my pastor like I should because I think that I can do it on my own. I dislike being dependant on anyone, but I know that I should not be like this. God did not make us as solitary creatures. He made us to be in a relationship with others.
As I go back and read Daniel 4, I notice that part of King Nebuchadenezzar's humiliation is that he was driven from men. He was isolated from people. I definitely see this in myself when the depression starts taking over. I retreat into my turtle shell and isolate myself. Satan seeks to separate us. First from God, and then from other believers. When he does this, he then can get us to believe his lies easier. There are many places in the Bible that talks about relationships. There is even a whole book, The Song of Solomon, which is about the relationship between a husband and wife. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states that "Two are better than one Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Relationships, friends, and family are so meaningful in life. But it is also essential to be careful and discerning about who we choose to spend our time with and who we choose to share our thoughts and feelings with. We should seek out godly counselors, friends, and family members to help us get through this thing we call life. We need godly people to do life with. In my Tony Evans Study Bible, there is a note that goes with Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. The end of this note says, "When we go through difficulty, the love of another person is the warm blanket of affection that drives the cold away." I love this quote. It helps me to picture, in my mind, what my love for others does for them.
I have two such friends that I spend a lot of time talking with. They are the Jonathan to my David. Or am I the Jonathan to their David? Sometimes I feel as if all I do is whine and complain to them, but they understand me, and they don't judge me. They are always there when I require encouragement or to talk. They always show me love and pull that warm, fuzzy blanket over me when I am chilled. One friend asked the question, "how do we, who have mental disorders, find Christina counselors?" That is a tough question to answer. One that I have asked myself many times. Just because a particular counselor is a Christian does not mean that he/she is implementing Biblical standards into his/her practice of psychology or psychiatry. The best answer I have to that question is to pray and ask God for spiritual discernment. We should also utilize those within our church leadership. Most pastors now have had counseling education in the seminary courses. Your pastor may also be able to recommend some Christian counselors or therapists that could help you. Let me warn you, though, anyone who tells you that you should take yourself off of your medications or who condemns you for taking medications probably isn't the right person for you to be talking with.
Unlike some Christians, I do not believe that there is anything wrong with taking medicine for depression and/or anxiety. I take medication for both. With that being said, there are many side effects of antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs that you need to consider when you are deciding what is best for you. I had a former pastor make me feel bad for taking antidepressant medication. He told me that I was too blessed to be stressed or that I do not have enough faith. These words are condemning and do not come from God. I believe that God can and will use anything as a tool to guide you closer to Him, even medication. Not to say that medicine should be the only avenue pursued when dealing with depression and/or anxiety. We have already covered finding a godly and Biblically minded person to talk with, so I'm not going to rehash that. There are other physical ways to help with depression and anxiety. Getting enough sleep, getting the right nutrients, exercise, being in nature, drinking water, and staying away from processed foods, especially sugar. Some spiritual ways of dealing with depression and/or anxiety are prayer, meditating on scripture, journaling your thoughts and feelings, making a gratitude list, and serving others. Self-care is essential when one is dealing with depression and/or anxiety. Remember that one cannot pour from an empty cup.
The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone if you are a Christian dealing with depression and/or anxiety. According to Gallup News, nearly 1 in 6, or 15.6% very religious American adults, have been diagnosed with depression. This number jumps to 20.4% for moderately religious Americans and then back down some to 18.7% for nonreligious Americans. That is a lot of people who suffer from depression. So know that you are not alone, and do not be afraid to reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or church leader for help.
