10 September 2010
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2, NKJV
The late Professor Jessie Bernard of Penn State University contended that depression is twice as common among women as men. She believed that wives give their husbands far more emotional support than husbands give to their wives, which may result in periods of depression. But there is more to it than that. As one psychologist put it, "Men and women are put together with a different set of nuts and bolts." We came from the drawing board of heaven with those differences. It's the way God made us.
There are emotional differences stemming from biological factors that create different levels of emotions. But no matter whether you are a male or a female, when depression strikes, you are debilitated and, for all practical purposes, cease to be a productive individual. You feel that God doesn't care, and often that no one else does either.
The despair of depression can be stopped. The "depression stoppers" I recommend are not prescribed by a doctor. They are principles of truths from Scripture‑‑the oldest and best-loved textbook on living. In this series I've mentioned discovering your spiritual identity, resting in the assurance that God is still in control, discovering that prayer can break through depression, and learning how to find forgiveness and forgive yourself. Now I'd like to go one step further.
This "depression stopper" may not be new. I may simply underline or enforce a truth that you've heard before but haven't applied. Here it is--Depression Stopper #5: You can stop depression by realizing that, in spite of the perplexity of life and the circumstances, God can still direct your life into His perfect will. "Dr. Sala, you don't know the mess that I've made of my life," you may say. And those words may be followed by these: "If God had a will for my life, I have so much messed things up that there is just not hope...." And feeling discouraged and abandoned, you have allowed the self‑incriminations you've hurled in the mirror to bring depression and discouragement.
In fairness to God, let's not attempt to blame Him for your failures. If you blew things, then admit it; but at the same time you've got to realize that forgiveness includes restoration and healing. In a real sense, God's forgiveness creates a whole new ball game and enables God to continue to work in your life, perfecting His plan and purpose for you. "Do you mean God can still do something with my life?" Absolutely. "Though we deny Him," Paul wrote to Timothy, "yet He abides faithful. He cannot deny Himself." Where there is life, there is yet hope.
May I share three guidelines about God's will in relation to depression? Guideline #1: God's will brings peace to your heart, which eliminates depression. He's no cosmic kill-joy who delights in your misery. His will and your getting back into it will bring peace to your mind and joy to your soul and drive depression away. Guideline #2: God's will‑‑His plan for your life‑‑will result in your personal happiness and security. His will is described as being "good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2, NKJV). You will never be more secure than when you allow your Heavenly Father to put His hand on yours and guide each step.
Guideline #3: God's will is the only way to be the fulfilled person you can be. "Thou hast made us for thyself, O God," wrote Augustine many years ago, "and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee." You can find and follow God's will, and doing it will break the shackles of depression every time. It's God's answer to a terrible sickness.
Resource reading: Luke 7:36-39