Question: Hey Greg,

I am a Christian, and yet I struggle with depression. I was once told that depression is from the devil. Is this true? I was also told that if I give my whole heart to the Lord, I will be filled with joy and not depression. I believe that I have given my whole heart to the Lord, and yet I still struggle with depression.

Answer: Dear Ann,

Depression is a word that conveys many realities – as it is used loosely, it means discouragement. On another level, it can convey the idea of clinical depression.

It would seem that the Bible allows for Satan to influence us to be discouraged s well as a deeper sense of depression, though the Bible does not teach that all discouragement and depression that we experience is from Satan.

Many forms of clinical depression are chemical imbalances, and can be alleviated with anti-depressants. Other forms of depression are more profound. Professional help as well as medical help are sometimes needed for individuals who suffer from regular and prolonged depression.

It is certainly not true that depression/discouragement is directly related to a failure to accept God’s promises – for the Bible is filled with examples of men and women of God who endured many ups and downs in life, not directly related to their failure to obey God. Joy is a fruit of God’s spirit, but the Bible does not tell us that Christians will be continuously and constantly happy and filled with laughter. Jesus Christ was acquainted with sorrow, and his covenant that we follow and accept is a covenant of adversity. This life, thank God, is not all there is – eternity beyond is what we live for and look toward.

May God be with and bless you and guide you to seek the help that you may need.