Mar 03, 2010
MIDWEEK - Depression uncaged
Darin and Aimee talk about how depression is a serious problem in Christianity and how it goes unnoticed because people are judgmental towards those who struggle from it. Both Darin and Aimee have dealt with, and still deal with depression, so this conversation is one from personal experience. This is a heart warming discussion that gives hope to anyone struggling with depression and sheds light on future possibilities. Many times it’s just a matter of understanding who you are and how you’re wired.
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wow, I get to be first.. I'm gonna say it for ya Darin... Rat's ass! this was excellent! I love Amy R. I'm gonna just get in the box... and embrace this once and for all. I've done that and it really has made it easier. thanks a million...
The Rev. Jamie Evans, the son and grandson of Presbyterian ministers who led Fresno's largest Presbyterian church, took his own life Thursday after struggling with depression. He was 50.
Keep on keep'in guys with this subject and don't forget about the devil.Author teacher Neil Anderson I think does a good job of considering depression as spiritual as well as chemical.
I have a friend who is bi-polar, on medications, has been hospitalized etc. but I believe part of her depression and actions come from the fact that she puts the devil above God, and the "church" has not helped her at all. I cannot tell you how many books she has read on deliverance, what numbers and colors mean, gone to "prophets", prayer, that God is testing her, etc. When I got out of the IC it broke our friendship, because of the freedom I have found. Thank you for your message(s). I believe God has used you and others to answer many of the questions that I have had, and man it is wonderful to finally be free.
Darin & Aimee...this message is one of those that breathes life into me..I think Aimee said something like "I almost feel relieved when I hear someone else is struggling with depressive thoughts"...I've always felt that way myself but felt guilty about it. It's not like we're happy someone else is going through a hard time..just somehow comforted in knowing we were not alone in our sunken feelings. As I get older I don't fight the times of feeling down like I used to..it is so very freeing to just "BE" ..happy, mad, sad, glad or anywhere in between..instead of ACTING like everything was A-OK so the world around you would not judge you for being human..especially if you happen to be Christian! As always, you guys
talk about real life and share a bit how you get through.thanks..helps me out!
So much I could write about this.... but the thing is, real life is not to be lived according to a recipe or formula. And as we live it, we remember the words of Jesus, who so MANY times said, Fear NOT, again and again, for I Am with you. It's not just religion that teaches fear. I watched an amazing HBO movie "Temple Grandin" last night. She is autistic, and doctors suggested that she be institutionalized, that she would never talk.... yadda yadda. What a beautiful movie of this "individual" who went on to walk through doors, and share her life to encourage others. This does not mean that we would take this issue, autism, and say, all people can be like Temple Grandin. But it means, embrace who you are, what IS in your life, and walk through it with the God Who loves you.
I think I've said in the forums that I had battled depression (not bipolar) for many years and that it has only been the last 4 years that things have got progressively better. For me change came when I removed any spiritual component from trying to understand the how and why and began to engage in cognitive behaviour therapy - basically reviewing behaviour, motivations, core beliefs, etc.
I find in my life that the more I know, the more I become aware of, the more miserable I can become. I guess I am not spiritual enough or right with God enough even though God is behind the opening of my eyes, heart, and mind to what He wants to show me. Was it Paul who wrote that they despaired even of their own lives? (i.e. they were suicidal folks!) Some of the greatest men in the Bible faced this stuff from Elijah, to David, Solomon...you name it. I think it comes with the territory to be perfectly honest. The Christian life is roses, but roses have very sharp thorns that make ya bleed.
Darin I think you hit the nail on the head. My first step towards real freedom was being able to look within and accept the dark things, the undesireable things about me. I think when I made peace with the "wild man" that is, the hairy, muddy, smelly dark man that lay beneath the waters of my soul, is when I became a man. My life was no longer about fighting bad feelings and things that other people rejected about me. I was no longer a self loather, but I realzied that EVERYTHING about me was the very thing our savior came to save and died for. He valued all of those things and taught me to do the same. I learned how to value the wound. Your description of lying in the box and accepting it was priceless. LOVED it!
I want to thank you for this pod cast. I have had something about me that I'm not even certain what it is since childhood. It has effected me negatively academically, socially, relationally, and vocationally my whole life. This year I have set out to discover what it is and how to manage it. However at 46-years-old because of the negative effects it has had on every area of life I have been depressed and agree for many years. Hearing this has been freeing as I am a Christ follower who finally followed Father outside the walls of IC about 2 years ago and I've been in Christ for 32 years. I have never fit into or felt accepted in any group including the IC. I have become so used to be used, abused, ignored and or neglected I find I hold everyone at arms length even those I do not want to.
It is easier to embrace depression if you know it is a passing episode, but not if it is a long lasting, as in lifetime, thing (not bipolar - you are never going to be let out of the box!). But I hasten to add there could still be some value in what you are saying. It is a part of who you are and by accepting that and not fighting it and not seeing it as sin (not rejoicing, trusting, etc etc) could make a huge difference. Getting better understanding of God's love for me has made a big difference but it has not made it go away at all and probably never will I suspect. I just see it in a different light, if that makes sense.
Ever see Kill Bill 2? "Now, you're going underground tonight, and that's all there is to it."
Great advise about embracing the low. I'll try that next time.
Darin, brother, you don't have to dwell in depression. There is a better way. Just give it to Jesus. ;-D
Seriously, I get nervous around people who never get down and depressed. I've heard some others talk about how God has worked through their depression. I like your illustration of the amazing deep sea creatures that lurk in the dark. The book "Introvert Power" also talks about the creativity that happens in the 'yang.'
Excellent podcast Darin... I wish all Christians had this point of view cause if we did we could be more real instead of putting on a fake smile because we are required!
How ironic that this would be the topic...depression...
I have always been a melancholy type. I am artistic and I am very empathetic. Sometimes I get so down that I feel disabled...for a time. I know this about myself. I like who I am--generally. The problem is that I need to find a new job and I need to finish my education and have been considering going back on anti-depressants just so I can be more of the "go-getter" type. I guess this podcast made me think more about whether or not I should do that...not sure...
Very timely...not more than an hour ago I realized I was getting into the stress mode that happens everytime I start a new rehab project. It would paralyze me until I was useless for anything else until well into the project. When I realized it I thought well nothing I can do about it is just how I get. Hoping not stressing about stressing will not lead to uselessness.....LOL
Depression, it's like the D-word in chistianity. I've been fighting it a long time. Tried all the christian ways and meds. The meds made me feel worse than being depressed! What really spoke to my heart was people that fight it don't really know who they are. I'm 53 yrs old and don't know who God made me to be. I loved the analogy about accepting the down times and just walking throught it and discoverig the beauty in it.I truly believe God has shown you His heart. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thank you for this pocast.