A report in the medical journal....Molecular Psychiatry....states that chemical imbalances in the brain may not cause depression....as is widely accepted. What this study did was take the results of all the studies over many decades....and analyze them. This is an important topic in a number of areas because the belief that depression is caused by imbalances in the brain....results in a much wider use of antidepressants....which in itself is very problematic....because of the relationship that drugs can have with the demonic. It's only a study....and probably won't change anything anytime soon....but for the purposes of this post....it leads to the topic of spiritual depression.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote a book with just that title....Spiritual Depression. I owned that book three decades ago....but how much I read of it I cannot remember. Martyn Lloyd-Jones also has numerous sermons on the topic.....and it's probably time to listen to some of those sermons. As for now....and in this post....I just want to touch on the periphery of this issue....something that I do know about....or at least have strong feelings about.
Whatever the value of experiences of a graybeard like myself might be.....this is it. Depression can have many causes. This we all know. It could be that we are walking away from God.....or it can be stemming from troubles that have continually been plaguing us....or it can be from demonic activity.....and there are many other very legitimate possibilities. It seems that most of the great Christian stalwart saints in Christian history suffered severe depression at one time or another.
I only want to add this to the discussion. If I have a motto in life....it is this. I have it engraved on the back of a medallion that I sometimes wear around my neck....two words....Press.....On.....Press On! Whatever the problem....Press On....one step in front of the other. If the depression is demonic....you will come under attack from seemingly every direction. Press On. If you are not walking with God....and know that you are not walking with God.....Press On....and turn around!
Have you ever had to press on in your life.....maybe in high school as you wanted to make some team.....or with a musical intrument....or trying to save money....or trying to get a good job? You pressed on didn't you? Or maybe you didn't....and regretted it your whole life? Well here is your chance to make amends....as to this time....press on....as to this time....do not quit. Depression is wearing you down....tearing you down....where is God....why is everyone abandoning you....are you really the biggest loser in the entire world? Press on! Faith....and prayer....are necessary....this is for sure. Pray....constantly pray....pray in faith that God will not abandon you.....pray that your faith be strengthened....and Press On!
Some advice huh? Press on....easy for me to say....but I said that this was only the periphery of the problem of spiritual depression. Not only can spiritual depression be expected if you are....not....in God's will....but if you are in God's will....if you are aflame for His righteousness.....and if you are being used by God to spread His glory.....well it is guaranteed that God's enemy will attack you with doubts....and anything else at his disposal! So my only addition to this issue of spiritual depression.....garnered not from text books.....but from experience....and proven over time by the promises in God's Word....is that even as you may be beaten down....do not let it stop you. Pick yourself up if need be....wipe the dirt from your eyes.....set your sight again on the Celestial City....and Press On! Draw on those promises in God's Word that He will not abandon you....failures and all....relief will come....and that you kept going this time....will strengthen you for the next time....for once again if God's glory is the only thing that matters to you....the next time will come.
