Depressed Christianity, continued

(Starting off with a note: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. If you think you have struggles with depression, you are not alone. There is help.)

None of what I write should be considered a diagnosis of depression. It comes in many forms. I just speak from what I believe God has impressed on me to write, my opinions of His Word, and also from the voice of experience. No, I have never been to a doctor or psychologist and sought out an official diagnosis, but I have felt so down in my life it has seemed like nothing helps.
If you read the previous listing (and if you haven't you can do that here), you'll get a little overview of my thoughts on depression in the church. Seeing an old friend last week who has experienced great tragedy in her life in recent years, and hearing her testimony, just solidifies that. Christians get depressed. It doesn't make them worse sinners. It doesn't mean they aren't saved. It means they are humans, and the emotions we face affect us greatly. Sometimes it means we don't feel anything at all, even when we should be happy.

If you have a friend that you believe, or in fact you know they deal with depression, there are some things you can do and not to to help them.
DON'T: Criticize. They didn't plan on being depressed.
DON'T: Tell them to snap out of it. They didn't snap into it.
DON'T: Hit them with cliches. For example, telling someone that is having a hard time at work "at least you have a job" DOES NOT HELP. IT NEVER HELPS. The depressed person is not looking for perspective.
You know, I used to love quotations, and have books of encouraging quotes. I have no desire to find those things.

Job's friends were a lot like this. Trying to convince him all the stuff he suffered was all his doing, admit to his sin, God is punishing him, all that he-jazz.
Don't be like Job's friends. You wonder why nobody names their kids Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar? Besides the fact that you can't spell them? This is why.

The best thing they did for Job was what they did at the beginning.
They sat in silence with them.

DO: Be there. You don't have to say anything. You don't really have to be in the room, you can be a room away or a phone call away. Just be there, and be willing listen.
DO: Pray without ceasing. Whenever you think of that person, talk to God on their behalf. 
DO: Love.

Finally, one more don't.
DON'T Give up on that person. They may not say it, but they need you. If the person is depressed to the point you think harm may come, help them seek help.

Comments are welcome below, or you can email me at jlwide@hotmail.com.

Depressed Christianity

There is a question I have dealt with for many years. To some people the answer is yes. To others, the answer is a resounding no. This question has lingered with me for years, and I want to take this out to all of you, however few or many of you there are:
Can a follower of God be depressed?
For the people that say no, I picture them like this:

(Don't misinterpret- I like this song.) Just the thought of depression is not wanted, not supposed to be visible. At the thought of depression we are just supposed to snap out of it. If you can't snap out of it, maybe you don't trust God. Maybe you aren't saved? You have such a problem!
I'm here to tell you my point of view on the subject.
I believe Christians can do and often will be depressed, and the Bible is full of examples.
Ever read the book of Ecclesiastes?
Solomon, author of Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon, had it all. He was provided by God with wisdom, riches, honor, and power. He had more than anyone. But it wasn't enough. He sought after it all and came to one conclusion- it's all vanity and chasing after wind. In the routine of my routine, I can deeply relate.
The song above references the "Patience of Job" in the first verse. It's true that at the beginning of his ordeal that Job blessed the name of the Lord and "Never sinned or charged God foolishly" (Job 1:22). Then he cursed the day he was born, which was followed with much searching for explanation regarding why it happened with his "friends."
John, in chapter 5 of the Revelation, wept when he realized no one could open the seven seals to the scrolls.His anguish was short lived, but existed.
Even Jesus in the garden praying sought out another way than the road He was foreordained to travel on. He was God, yes, but at thus moment his humanity came to the fore.
Elijah did an amazing thing in chapter 18 of 1 Kings: He showed up 450 false prophets when God answered him and rained down fire. Then he witnessed the slaughter. At his spiritual top, he wa threatened by Jezebel. Then he ran for his life, asking for God to take his life.
After warning, and warning, and warning some more the destruction of Judah, Jeremiah composed his Lamentations.
I would say that is some solid evidence for depression. With most of these people, the only exception being Job's friends, no one was telling them to snap out of it. But in each situation except one, there was hope:
God was there.

• God warned Solomon to repentance through the prophets. He composed Ecclesiastes as a warning.
• God listened to Job and his "friends" and told him ultimately that His purposes are His alone. Then He blessed Job double from what he had lost.
• John was reassured to weep not, because the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" had conquered, and prevailed to open the seals.
• In Lamentations 3, the lamentation is interrupted with a message of faithfulness, and new mercy every day.
• Elijah traveled for forty days and was visited by God, not in the frenzied, overwhelming madness of power and might, but in a still, small voice.

Jesus is the exception, but He had to be. Other wise we would have no hope. I want to make a statement to you:
God often wants us to be alone to remind us that we are never alone.
Let that sink in. Preachers, you can use that one for free.
You will get down. It happens. It happens to me more than most. I'm not going to tell you to snap out of it. That doesn't make you "get better," and I know, it doesn't help. But He is there, and He wants to talk to you.
He's listening to you. He loves you. Listen for Him to speak like He did to Elijah.
"Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30:5).

To Wilkesboro...and beyond!

I realize I haven't placed a post on the Wide Scope in the past few weeks.This isn't a surprise- consider how many posts I have actually put up in the last two years.
Post I still do and post I shall.
In the meantime...
A friend of mine has started a blog called Wilkesboro and Beyond. A couple of weeks ago he asked me if I could contribute a couple of  posts for him.
In the words of Barney Stinson, "CHALLENGE. ACCEPTED."
He had some ideas, and I had some ideas. So far, I have contributed two.
The first is a posting regarding the Hibriten High School Band, which, if you've read over the years, know is dear to my heart. That post can be found here.
The second, which was unplanned and kind of spontaneous, regards the Lenoir Mall. Here is the link to that one.
I'm still figuring out the dynamic of typing and sending to someone else, but so far the system is working, and can only get better. Of course, feel free to peruse the other posts by Jason and the other authors. You'll find a variety of postings regarding other topics.
I have a couple of other ideas I'm working up, so stay tuned. I'll let you know when more is available.