Biblical Answer

The Best Way to Deal with Depression

Depression is a complex issue that cannot be reduced to one universal cause. Therefore, family and friends cannot rush in with a quick fix or a temporary solution to alleviate physical symptoms. While physical treatments may help alleviate some of the physical pain of depression, they do not treat the guilt, fear, self-loathing, and other distinctly spiritual symptoms. In order to truly deal with depression, we must address the spiritual battles that accompany it.

To fight depression, we must take our soul to task and ask for help. We must force-feed ourselves Scripture and words of God, and speak them because they are true and not just to alleviate our depression. We must persevere, even when it feels like everything is against us, and speak the prayers because God is near. We must also be willing to talk to depression and fight it, rather than letting it consume us. This means being honest with ourselves, confronting our fears and anger, and seeking help from others. We must also be willing to try new things, such as seeking out a counselor or joining a support group, and be open to the possibility of medication.

Ultimately, the best way to deal with depression is to love God and love others. This means being a student of depression, learning from others who have experienced it, and persevering through the difficult times. It means being willing to take risks and try new things, even when it feels scary or uncomfortable. And it means keeping Christ close on the path, and trusting in His power to forgive and redeem us. As Jesus said, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent" (John 6:29). By believing in Christ and trusting in His power, we can find hope and healing in the midst of depression.