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Nov 30, 2020 · Sexual desire is not a sin. But wrongly expressed for a non-spouse or as adultery is a sin. So too, depression, grief, sorrow, these are not sins whether to the extreme or not. They can lead to sin, but are not sin themselves. Sin can lead to depression just as righteousness can lead to happiness. But depression is not sin.
Mar 1, 2008 · Our own sin, unbelief, commitment to our interpretations instead of searching for God’s interpretation can all be causes of depression. Second, other people can cause our depression. A steady diet of discouraging words from people who are supposed to love us, or sexual violation and its shame can certainly contribute to depression. Third, our ...
Bringing depression into the context of religious groups, it has been argued that understanding depression as the result of sin may pathologise depression as the individual’s choice (Scrutton, 2020). This conceptualisation of depression where the disorder results from wilful behaviours that are seen as unchristian means that treatments looking to increase one’s spirituality would be seen ...
- Overview
- The signs
- Where it comes from
- Overcoming it
- Finding support
- The bottom line
Spiritual depression generally refers to a loss of spiritual vitality and joy. In terms of Christianity, experiencing a spiritual depression might involve:
•losing touch with your faith
•“forgetting” God, or struggling to find time for spiritual study
•focusing more on past mistakes than changes you might make to do better in the future
•a general sense of unhappiness or melancholy
Protestant minister D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones appears to have introduced the term in “Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures,” a collection of sermons exploring the topic.
While there’s no agreed-upon list of signs of spiritual depression, people experiencing spiritual depression often say they feel disconnected or cut off from God.
You might have some confusion or frustration about your faith, feel unable to talk to God, or believe God no longer hears your prayers.
Other key signs include:
•struggling to find joy in worship
•withdrawing from your church or religious community
•avoiding other members of the church
Life challenges
Facing the ordinary trials and stressors of everyday life can contribute to spiritual distress. These difficulties might include: •job loss •financial issues •family or relationship concerns •serious or chronic physical or mental health concerns •worries about the future Any of these challenges can also contribute to depression, but depression can also develop without a clear trigger or cause.
Fixation on past sins
Everyone errs, or makes mistakes, on occasion. It’s part of being human. Yet certain mistakes can linger in your memory even when you try to move forward. Struggling to move on from a past or present error could contribute to unshakeable feelings of guilt and other spiritual turmoil — even after you seek forgiveness. A tendency to fixate on past mistakes and regrets can also show up with major depression, so it’s important to reach out when you have trouble navigating this distress.
Neglecting your spirituality
Spiritual depression might also develop when you have less time for God and your usual religious activities, such as prayer, Bible study, or worship and other church participation. Some religious teachings suggest this often happens as a result of becoming overly involved in so-called worldly cares, such as work, hobbies and entertainment, or social activities. It’s perfectly normal to spend time on any of these activities. Life should be balanced, and it’s healthy to divide your time between work, rest, family and friends, and enjoyable relaxation. That said, if spirituality is an important aspect of your life and day-to-day concerns leave you with less and less time for God, you could find yourself feeling somewhat low.
Working to identify possible causes of spiritual depression in your life can help you begin making changes that ease feelings of distress and uncertainty.
Know, though, that it’s not always easy, or even possible, to understand where spiritual depression comes from. These feelings often stem from several factors. Major depression can also develop (or intensify) without any specific causes or triggers.
All the same, you can absolutely work to overcome spiritual depression even when you aren’t sure of the cause.
If you’re a Christian, you’ve likely learned to place your faith in God in times of distress. Sometimes this trust alone can offer a path toward resolving feelings of spiritual depression.
Positive self-talk is another commonly suggested solution.
Using verbal reminders or a daily journal, you might try:
When spiritual exploration doesn’t promote any deeper understanding or relief from symptoms, it may be time to connect with a therapist.
Fear of stigma often complicates the process of seeking support. You might have some concerns over what your church might think about depression, or worry that a therapist might fail to grasp what Christianity means to you.
Keep in mind, though, that depression can have a serious impact on overall well-being, and symptoms usually persist without professional treatment. In other words, prayer and spiritual study may not relieve your distress on their own.
A therapist can offer guidance and support with:
•identifying possible causes or triggers of depression
•exploring potential treatments and coping strategies
Connecting with a healthcare professional is typically the best option when any symptoms, including feelings of depression or concerns about spirituality, begin to affect:
•daily responsibilities
•energy and motivation
•personal relationships
•physical health
Reconnecting with your faith and strengthening your relationship with God may help resolve spiritual unease.
- Crystal Raypole
May 18, 2011 · Murray is unwilling to say that depression’s causes are exclusively physical (brain chemistry), spiritual (demon possession or personal sin), or mental (an overactive imagination). In company with the Puritans, Murray rightly recognizes the often unfathomable interrelations of mind and body, concluding that depression’s causes may be manifold, complex, and elusive.
May 9, 2024 · If I’m struggling with clinical depression, I may or may not have sinned my way into that condition. I may or may not sin because of that condition. But let’s say both are true. I can certainly repent, start obeying God, and also get help from a therapist. I might do the sin-correcting and also acquire the mental health equivalent of a ...
Sep 29, 2022 · It will then go on to argue depression is out of control and not desired by those who experience depression. Those who experience depression also do not have an equivalent to sin; personal sin does not cause depression. Final argument will be to help those in the church and urge them that depression is meant to help us grow closer to God.
