Spiritual Depression

A lot of times people have the impression that being a Christian automatically makes you a happy person. The image of the Christian is that because they have God in their life and Jesus as their Savior, that no matter what is going on in their life, they're still supposed to be "happy". In Christian vernacular, a lot of times we translate this for "joy". However, this is all a misconception. There are going to be times when, as Christians and children of God, we are going to have hard times. We are going to be depressed. We are going to feel sad. We are going to be disappointed; and we are going to be stressed. As a matter of fact, as we mature in the Christian faith and in our walk with Christ, there will be seasons where we will have to endure "Spiritual Depression". Of course this is not a topic that is frequently addressed in the mainstream church, but it is biblical.

The bible says in the 4th chapter of James, "be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness". That sounds like a recipe for Depression to me; and it is. But not emotional or psychological depression, it's Spiritual Depression. The Word is telling us to be deliberate and intentional in regards to mourning, weeping and being afflicted. It actually says to turn our laughter and joy into tears and sorrow. Depression. There will be times saints where we will not feel good and we will not be joyful. Even in regards to submission to God's Divine Will for our lives. That's ok. You don't have to "fake" being happy or feeling good just because you're a Christian or just because you're Saved. As a matter of fact, according to the Word of God, some of us might be feeling too good for our own spiritual good. Spiritual Depression is a mandate for the development and maturity of the believer in Christ.

Then let's take a look at Jesus. As He was preparing to Bear His Cross, He said to His disciples, "my soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death". Exceeding sorrowful. That's Spiritual Depression. Hebrews chapter 12 goes on to say, "ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin". As Jesus was challenged to internalize the turmoil and terror of the suffering that He was about to endure in paying the price for the sins of the world, He was so stressed that He was sweating blood (Luke 22). That's Spiritual Depression. Even Jesus, as the Son of God, was required to experience this Spiritual Depression.

Saints, the reality of it is, is that you are not going to be able to accomplish all that God has assigned and called you to do if you do not learn how to experience, internalize and endure Spiritual Depression. There are too many of us, particularly as Christian leaders, that are trying to by-pass this process of Spiritual Development. There are no short-cuts to God's Discipleship Program. Either you submit to the process or you're disqualified as a son (Hebrews 12). No, it's not easy. Yes, it's hard. But He's Worth it. And remember what the word says, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30). We can get to the Brightness of the Morning if we learn to endure Spiritual Depression.