Healing from Depression

Depression has long plagued the human race. While there has been much research on the subject, depression knows no simple cause, nor does it have a simple solution. For, there are many forms, many causes, and likewise, many ways depression is treated.

One of the most overlooked sources of healing from depression is God. While there are many who may point to God’s word as a place to discover “how to” be healed or “what to do” about it, less understand the nature of God and way God works. For, as His word in fact says, His ways are not our ways, but higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8)

We must understand that things happen in life beyond our control. Whether they happened early in life or during latter parts of our life, why things happen as they do is not the issue to focus on. As soon as we get over the “why” question, we can begin going down the path of healing. Difficult crises and traumatic events will happen. We may also be put in situations and have to live through painful and difficult circumstances for inordinate periods of time. Such things produce fractures in our hearts and confuse our minds. If we don’t experience true healing and learn how to cope, we become high risk candidates for depression. 

Unfortunately, we typically fall into the trap of blaming someone or something, or finding alternative means of soothing or masking the pain. For, it makes us feel better. Truly, however, nobody wins the blame game or pain-avoidance game. It only prolongs real healing, and keeps us in bondage. Ask God for the grace to forgive those you may have been blaming. Then ask Him to give you the gift of mercy. See those who have offended you as not knowing what they have done. They too, need healing. Look to God for strength.