Faking Fine?
Many people hide and wear the “everything is just fine” persona. When asked how they are doing (expected from a good Southerner) they will answer, “Oh, I am just fine” and they have become very good at this “faking fine” mask! This is especially true of those in our churches and Christian circles. You would never suspect that they are really in the depths of despair, they are hurting brutally or that the weight of life is crushing them relentlessly. They dare not reveal their anxiety and depression because that is still a taboo emotional subject in Christian arenas. Actually, most all of society avoids talking about depression and mental health issues.
The Bible refers to this state of mind as troubled or vexed in spirit. Faith, belief, and love do not buffer or safeguard our life from troubles and hardships. In fact, in the story of Job, his troubles were a test of his faith.
Jesus’ statement is not vague. He did not say you might have troubles or if you have enough faith, you won’t have troubles. Jesus did not say if you go to church, guard your words, don’t drink too much, read your Bible and say your prayers then you will not have troubles. He said, “you will have TROUBLE”. Period.
In John 10:10 it states, “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I (Jesus) have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” There are times in our life when we give over to the “thief” or the “thief” will hunt you down and steal from you. THIS SOUNDS DEPRESSING, doesn’t it?
I believe the first line of defense against the “thief” of anxiety and depression is to recognize that it is not just weak and faithless that suffer. The Bible is replete with stories of remarkable God-fearing people that suffered from this painful emotional state of mind and described it as being in a PIT.
David, a man after God’s own heart, was in a pit that was “slimy” and “sludgy” Psalm 40:2 states, “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” David was depressed!
Jeremiah “sank down” in his pit. In Jeremiah 38:6 we see that he was forced into the pit of muck and mud by the people he was trying to save. Later in chapter 45 verses 2 and 3, he says that the Lord has added sorrow to his pain and he is worn out with groaning and can find no rest. Jeremiah was depressed!
These emotional quagmires, pits or mires are really a normal part of growing spiritually because our human nature fights against our spiritual nature. The battle can throw you into a state of mind that is muddled and disarrayed. You become depressed!
There are many reasons that cause one to experience a depressed emotional state. Some of the more recognizable are:
- Depression can be caused by Satanic attack the “Thief” or by demonic Our Biblical example is the man of Gerasenes that lived among the tombstones. Read his story in Mark chapter 5. The New Testament teaches that while a Christian cannot be possessed by Satan or one of his demons, he can be OPPRESSED.
- Depression can be caused by guilt. Sometimes the weight of our downfalls and sins can grieve one to the point of depression. King David in various places in Psalms says things like; “my bones waste away” …”my strength was sapped” …”my heart turned to wax” … “my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth” …” troubles without number surround me”.
- Depression can be the result of a physical illness. Our body begins misfiring at the synapses and chemicals become imbalanced. Our bodies react to the physical illness, or perhaps even extreme mental anguish, both physically and emotionally. Those physical events can cause tangible reactions, such as what Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was in great anguish; Scripture tells us He suffered just like us. (I know you are thinking Jesus could never suffer mentally, but personally I believe He was in great emotional distress as He prepared to die for the sins of all humankind.) The emotional response, depression, may not be as clear as the physical results but it is every bit as real.
- Depression can be the side-effect of circumstances outside our control like a death of a loved one. Ricky and I both suffered through a time of this after Richard and Ryann left for Heaven. This type can alleviate after a while, but it can raise itself back into your mind at any moment in time.
- Depression can be the side-effect of many prescription medications. I am a good example of this because most all MS medications can have this. I am given a quiz about my mental health every month when I reorder my medicine. I can’t give you a Biblical example because I don’t know who was on any medicine. The woman with the issue of blood could have fallen into this category. Her story is found in Mark 5 and Luke 8. Most everyone sees this as a story of miraculous healing and it is, but I believe it is a story of a woman desperate and depressed at the state of her health. She has used all her money for a cure and feels like Jesus is her last resort. If she is killed for disobedience to the Law, what has she got to lose? She was healed physically and mentally. Praise Jesus!
- Depression can also be linked to unforgiveness. Ephesians 4:31-32 admonishes us to put away all the things that help harbor unforgiveness and forgive one another.
Depression, whatever the cause, is REAL – the feelings are genuine, the burden feels heavy. Depression affects people at all levels of society. There are so many more examples of Biblical people who suffered from this condition: Moses, Elijah, Hannah, Naomi, the Samaritan woman, Peter, Zacchaeus just to name a few. But God and His Words will comfort you, give you hope and remind you of the JOY you can have despite your circumstances of life. Regardless of the cause of depression, Jesus is bigger, stronger and He is the authority over everything. TRUST Him.
Every one of these people, as well as Ricky and myself, have grown spiritually having experienced depression. I read that the Japanese fix their fractured vessels by filling the cracks with gold. We are all fractured by troubles of this life, but our Lord is filling those cracks with His Gold – His Glory.
“But rejoice, because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when His Glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding JOY.”1Peter 4:13
Jesus began His ministry on earth by quoting Isaiah 61:1-3. Here is my version of His words to us.
God has sent me on a mission. I have some great news for you. God has sent me to fix your cracks and give (insert your name) freedom. I am here to give you back your heart and bring you out of your darkness. I am furious at the enemy who did this to you, and I will fight against him. I have come to tell you the new WAY is Grace. Let Me comfort you. For, dear one, I will bestow beauty upon you where you have known only destroying ashes. Joy, in the places of your deep sorrow. And I will wrap your heart in thankful praise in exchange for your gloom and despair.
If you know someone suffering from depression, join me in praying for them. If you are the person suffering, seek help from a trusted person or professional. Don’t just continue “faking fine”.
In Jesus,
Rebekah Marsh
Donna Jackson has written a very insightful blog called “Reframe Your Pain”. Check it out at her website: wwwperfectionroad.com
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