We often are baffled when someone we would see as successful, or from a successful family, takes there own life. We think to ourselves, "what problems could they possibly have that would be so bad". This seems all the more astonishing when this tragedy strikes a family of believers.
But this is because for people who haven't experienced depression is it difficult to distinguish between it and sadness. Sadness occurs when you are upset or disappointed by your circumstances. Depression runs much deeper than that. Depression can take hold and manifest even during what would seem to be happy times. It cannot be fixed by "looking on the bright side" or trying to have more fun. It cannot be fixed by "getting a grip" or getting out more. And no, it cannot be fixed by just "trusting in God".
Aside from a few extreme Christian sects all Christians will send their child to a doctor if they have the flu or break a leg. Yet when it is our mind that is sick or broken we think that prayer is all that God requires. We are outraged when a child is denied medical treatment by their parents for religious reason, yet we often do the same when it comes to mental health.
Perhaps the even greater tragedy is the stigma that mental illness holds in the Christian community. While our society at large needs to have a better understanding of mental illness it is in our churches that sanctuary from shame should be found, but often it is not. We do not look at someone with cancer or heart disease and say that their condition is a result of sin. Yet if someone is suffering from depression or anxiety we assume that they are not in a right relationship with God.
Certainly faith plays a role in healing mental illnesses just as it does with all afflictions. But our faith should rest in that God will use the doctors and medicines to aid in healing. Of course God can perform a miracle without them but why ignore the tools he has already given us? I firmly believe that a Christian struggling with any illness should consult with their Pastor or other church leaders. These are people God has anointed to serve as guides and counselors. But that does not take the place of doctors and licensed therapists. Even those professionals who do not know God have still been appointed by God to serve His people, they just don't know it yet.
I was very glad to hear that Matthew Warren had been receiving treatment from doctors and was on medication for his depression. I am sorry for the Warren family's lost but I am thankful for Rick Warren for setting a good example.
Perhaps the even greater tragedy is the stigma that mental illness holds in the Christian community. While our society at large needs to have a better understanding of mental illness it is in our churches that sanctuary from shame should be found, but often it is not. We do not look at someone with cancer or heart disease and say that their condition is a result of sin. Yet if someone is suffering from depression or anxiety we assume that they are not in a right relationship with God.
Certainly faith plays a role in healing mental illnesses just as it does with all afflictions. But our faith should rest in that God will use the doctors and medicines to aid in healing. Of course God can perform a miracle without them but why ignore the tools he has already given us? I firmly believe that a Christian struggling with any illness should consult with their Pastor or other church leaders. These are people God has anointed to serve as guides and counselors. But that does not take the place of doctors and licensed therapists. Even those professionals who do not know God have still been appointed by God to serve His people, they just don't know it yet.
I was very glad to hear that Matthew Warren had been receiving treatment from doctors and was on medication for his depression. I am sorry for the Warren family's lost but I am thankful for Rick Warren for setting a good example.
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