I was thinking about how I’ve struggled with depression this pregnancy and how some others in my circle are dealing with it as well. It’s something that many of us don’t talk about, something we’re afraid others will “judge” and something we feel reflects on our “holiness.”

Depression, Physical or Spiritual?

There are some pretty hefty cases of depression talked about in the Scripture. David, Job, Jeremiah and Paul all seem to have struggled with depression. I think David is the most famous, many of his Psalms are written as either a reflection on his past depression(s), or his struggles-of-the-moment with something that is sapping all his emotional strength and ability.
The depression that usually affects us is our emotional response to something that we can’t change. Something that affects us or someone we love at a very deep level, but which we have no control or ability over. It’s almost like depression is a part of the “cycle of acceptance” for something that we have to learn to live with. I’m not excusing depression, and saying that if we struggle with it because something is affecting our life that we can’t change it’s ok. I am saying, however, that depression is a regular part of life, and if anyone says it’s “purely spiritual” or that it’s just us refusing to acknowledge something, they’re wrong. read more…