I am getting very, very tired of trite suggestions for curing depression, especially in Christian circles. If you or someone close to you has been attacked by the beast that is depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts, you know that there is no easy solution.
I really appreciate Elizabeth Esther's thoughts on the subject. She is candid, gracious, and funny. Most wonderfully, she challenges the belief that clinical depression is a matter of morality, rather than biology.
Promise me you'll never tell a person in the throes of depression that her depression is of her own doing? Please?
Show grace and be gentle. Please.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Christians and depression
at 8:13 PM
Talking about depression
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6 comments:
Promise!
Who would say such a thing? That seems incredibly unloving. As someone who has PLENTY of people in my life who hurt with this pain, I promise not to do such a thing.
Lindsey, You're right that anybody with an ounce of compassion would not word it the way I just did. I hear all the time, however, that depression is a result of a focus on self (in so many words).
Exhibit A:
http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com/home/2010/06/depression-part-4-recovery/
I think it's just so complicated and personal for each individual. It makes me think of Job and his friends when he lost everything. They essentially blamed him for his misgivings and God said they were in the wrong. It gives me much comfort knowing God took the side of the hurting and afflicted. That's the side we should all be on.
Your comment just made me cry. I'm glad you see it that way.
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