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Absolutely, why wouldn't they be able to be depressed? I think the key is whether or not you stay there. If I lose a loved one, of course I'm going to be sad or depressed for a time being, but ultimately, if my hope and joy is in the Lord, I will pull out of that state of mind in time.
I am speaking only to you, PG77. I have no desire to debate with anyone on this subject. I am just going to share various versions of Matthew 26:36-38, I pray that you get your answer on if a Christian can be depressed.
NIV-Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
KJV-Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.
NASB-Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me."
AMPLIFIED-Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and He told His disciples, Sit down here while I go over yonder and pray. And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed. Then He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me.
THE MESSAGE-Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray." Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, "This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me."
YOUNG'S LITERAL-Then come with them doth Jesus to a place called Gethsemane, and he saith to the disciples, `Sit ye here, till having gone away, I shall pray yonder.' And having taken Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful, and to be very heavy; then saith he to them, `Exceedingly sorrowful is my soul -- unto death; abide ye here, and watch with me.'
I hope you see the consistent message.
I pray you do.
Jesus never sinned. He did rely on the Father. Follow Him.
Yes, they can. Yes, I have been. It doesn't make one any less Christian, but it should make us more Christian. I firmly believe in cases where depression is an attack against us by the evil one where we get our minds get so chemically imbalanced and bound up we see no joy in life, we can't see past our own pain and we can't see the object of our worship. The final point can be a hinderance to overcoming the depression. As I said .. been there, done that, and bought the hat.
A big part of the healing from depression can be by refocusing on God in that dark time. Don't get me wrong ... I beleive there are cases of depression that need medical attention/medication as well. However, as a Christian we know there's nothing impossible for God, especially helping a child of his who is hurting.
Can a Christian Be Depressed? Of course, just because we are a Christian we are not immune to being depressed. But though we may be at the end of the rope, we are never at the end of hope.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don't give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going".
Wow, all good post! Yes, a christian can get depressed. But God is faithful and will lead that heart to whomever or whatever to help them to overcome that which is holding them there.
Yes they can be. Feeling depressed is not a sin, nor makes you less Christian. Sometimes it's a natural response to a circumstance, i.e. a death of a loved one, an intense battle we may be fighting, or simply feeling overwhelmed at the moment.
The important thing is not staying in that depression and what we do to get out of it. We need to give our burdens to the Lord, lay them at His feet and let him strengthen us through our quiet times with Him.
I remember a portion of scripture that says... The Lord is close to those who are broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. This is found in Psalms 34.
I agree with all who have posted. I think I may know why you ask. I have had brethren ( including preachers) say that a Christian should not be depressed. That it is a lack of faith in God. They are wrong. As pointed out, depression can be a chemical imbalance and needs medical attention. Having faith definitely can help, but it has to be a very strong faith. You must keep telling yourself that God cares, and He will eventually raise you up, regardless of the cause of your depression. I am speaking from experience. I like to tell myself..." This too shall pass", and it will.
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