Told by christian friend that my lifelong depression is because I don’t “know Jesus”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My whole life I’ve been surrounded by depressed Christians, including myself. The Book of Job is all about depression.

Your friend is ignorant and I’m sorry they said such an unkind thing. Depression visits the believer and unbeliever alike. This world is so awful and brutal so much of the time, I think many Christians struggle more because they have to grapple with the suffering God allows - at least we atheists can find comfort in the absurdity and randomness of life’s cruelties.

The world is so beautiful and Christians recognize how perfectly it is created by the God. I've never met a depressed Christian in my life, honestly. Even if hard times comes, they carry through it and thank the God in the end. They may struggle, but they don't get depressed. I see that the hard times only make them stronger and more grateful. I am happy that you finding your comfort and it helps you with your depression.

Wow. Consider yourself one the more fortunate beings on the planet. But I assure you that many of those happy people are quite depressed behind closed doors. There is a big mental health stigma that revolves around your exact phrasing from above. People don't seek treatment because if they pray hard enough, God will cure them. But then they are still feeling bad...and second guess themselves and their faith...which leads to more depression. Easier to just say God is testing you because you are somehow special. But just as you said above, if your naivete helps you find comfort, than I'm happy for you.

I will take to be naïveté rather than depressed on any day of my life. And I raised happy children who never experienced depression because of their relationship with God.

I can say exactly the same thing about you: it is easier to pop the pill rather than seek and find the truth in your life and connect the dots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My whole life I’ve been surrounded by depressed Christians, including myself. The Book of Job is all about depression.

Your friend is ignorant and I’m sorry they said such an unkind thing. Depression visits the believer and unbeliever alike. This world is so awful and brutal so much of the time, I think many Christians struggle more because they have to grapple with the suffering God allows - at least we atheists can find comfort in the absurdity and randomness of life’s cruelties.

The world is so beautiful and Christians recognize how perfectly it is created by the God. I've never met a depressed Christian in my life, honestly. Even if hard times comes, they carry through it and thank the God in the end. They may struggle, but they don't get depressed. I see that the hard times only make them stronger and more grateful. I am happy that you finding your comfort and it helps you with your depression.

Jesus himself was highly depressed in the garden of Gethsemane.

This is not true. What he is experienced is not symptoms of depression.

[Anonymous]

Your friend is going about this the wrong way OP. Perhaps what she is trying to say is that if you know Jesus and accept him into your life- the depression you are experiencing may lessen and you may start to feel better all around. Will it magically “go away”? I can’t answer that for you. I have been taking medication for years which keeps my depression at bay- but until I found a church that spoke to me and really started to immerse myself in faith, I never really felt fulfilled or happy.
I can genuinely say now that I am a much happier person. My life feels more fulfilling. The friends and relationships I’ve made at my church are real- and I know those people will be there for me no matter what. Studying the Bible makes me honestly reflect on how I’m living my life and treating others. I do think finding the right church makes a big difference. I had not found one that I really felt at home with until 2 years ago.
Another thing you can do, without even going to church is to simply open yourself up to the word of God. Download the YouVersion app. There are lessons to help you in many areas of your life.
But ultimately- it’s very important to find a church family. If you are open to it- just try out a lot of different churches. Eventually one will feel right to you.
If this friend of yours keeps “blaming” yoir depression on lack of faith- she’s not a true friend and she is twisting the true foundations of Jesus’ teachings. In any event- I’ll pray for uou OP. Depression is such a hard thing to live with. Those who have not experienced it cannot truly understand.

[Anonymous]

The only correct response is:

"So I guess Jesus gave you that awful personality huh? That's too bad, at least there's treatment for depression"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only correct response is:

"So I guess Jesus gave you that awful personality huh? That's too bad, at least there's treatment for depression"

There are no treatment for depression, there are treatments for its symptoms, but it does not eliminate the underlying issue. I am convince some people would rather be depressed all life long, rather than find th God and live happy life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The title pretty much says it all. In many ways, over the past few years, she has said that my depression I’ve suffered with off and on since childhood, is because I haven’t “accepted Jesus into my heart”.

She has said things like “it’s a sin to be depressed with everything god has done for me”
“I will know happiness when I’m saved”
“Psychological counseling is sinful because the Bible alone should be enough”

And other statements like that.

Over the past few months I’ve seen her less and less but we were just texting yesterday and she was saying these things again. I told her I didn’t want to talk about the subject with her anymore and ended the conversation but it has upset me again that other than this topic I am friends with her but i find this topic too hurtful and kind of unbelievable to be honest. In many ways, her pushing this issue has led me to even question my own faith .

This is all in spite of the fact that up until the past year, I’ve been a lifelong christian…just not of the “born again” type .

Do you believe you inherited depression from your parents?

[Anonymous]

Your friend is toxic.

I have a friend whose mother has MS. He was told by one of these fake Christians that if he believed, she would be cured. He joined the church that his friend recommended, did all the prayers, gave them all kinds of money, and his mother still had MS.

So then it was all his fault.

Depression is an illness that needs treatment. Just like other illnesses.

If your faith is important to you, don't let this fake Christian dissuade you from it..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is toxic.

I have a friend whose mother has MS. He was told by one of these fake Christians that if he believed, she would be cured. He joined the church that his friend recommended, did all the prayers, gave them all kinds of money, and his mother still had MS.

So then it was all his fault.

Depression is an illness that needs treatment. Just like other illnesses.

If your faith is important to you, don't let this fake Christian dissuade you from it..

Ditto to all of the above. Illness and faith are separate issues. Some people who are not religious have their illnesses go away without prayer and some don't get ill at all.

Some people feel good about praying, whether or not their illness goes away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The title pretty much says it all. In many ways, over the past few years, she has said that my depression I’ve suffered with off and on since childhood, is because I haven’t “accepted Jesus into my heart”.

She has said things like “it’s a sin to be depressed with everything god has done for me”
“I will know happiness when I’m saved”
“Psychological counseling is sinful because the Bible alone should be enough”

And other statements like that.

Over the past few months I’ve seen her less and less but we were just texting yesterday and she was saying these things again. I told her I didn’t want to talk about the subject with her anymore and ended the conversation but it has upset me again that other than this topic I am friends with her but i find this topic too hurtful and kind of unbelievable to be honest. In many ways, her pushing this issue has led me to even question my own faith .

This is all in spite of the fact that up until the past year, I’ve been a lifelong christian…just not of the “born again” type .

Ugh. A girlfriend years ago told me that “I can’t understand because I don’t love Jesus”. That’s when I knew it was time for us to part. Just different people. She’s happily married with kids now, and I am happily married with a fantastic wife who is my best friend (but no plans for kids). Things work out for everyone - just let your friend go. It’s hard, but you’ll look back on it as a good decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My whole life I’ve been surrounded by depressed Christians, including myself. The Book of Job is all about depression.

Your friend is ignorant and I’m sorry they said such an unkind thing. Depression visits the believer and unbeliever alike. This world is so awful and brutal so much of the time, I think many Christians struggle more because they have to grapple with the suffering God allows - at least we atheists can find comfort in the absurdity and randomness of life’s cruelties.

The world is so beautiful and Christians recognize how perfectly it is created by the God. I've never met a depressed Christian in my life, honestly. Even if hard times comes, they carry through it and thank the God in the end. They may struggle, but they don't get depressed. I see that the hard times only make them stronger and more grateful. I am happy that you finding your comfort and it helps you with your depression.

Wow. Consider yourself one the more fortunate beings on the planet. But I assure you that many of those happy people are quite depressed behind closed doors. There is a big mental health stigma that revolves around your exact phrasing from above. People don't seek treatment because if they pray hard enough, God will cure them. But then they are still feeling bad...and second guess themselves and their faith...which leads to more depression. Easier to just say God is testing you because you are somehow special. But just as you said above, if your naivete helps you find comfort, than I'm happy for you.

I will take to be naïveté rather than depressed on any day of my life. And I raised happy children who never experienced depression because of their relationship with God.

I can say exactly the same thing about you: it is easier to pop the pill rather than seek and find the truth in your life and connect the dots.

PP. God gave us a full range of emotions to feel. A healthy psyche feels all emotions, positive and negative. You have a frame a reference of what "happy" is because you have experienced "sad" and vice versa. And quite honestly, you being sure that you've discovered the secret to happiness in God and so have your children, more than millions of other Christians is silly. What dots have you all connected? It's clear that you don't suffer from depression, and that's actually a huge blessing. But until you have, until Satan has tempted you with a crappy mood, you don't know what it's like and you should not pass judgment. And I hope you never need a pill to address high blood pressure, cancer, a sinus infection, type 2 diabetes, a headache, kidney stones, congestive heart failure, etc. A neuro chemical imbalance is a physical ailment just as they are and if a body is the temple God says it is, isn't it being ungodly to ignore modern medicine to help get your brain back on track so you can worship God. Pray and meditate on this response and soften your heart to those who have an ailment that you can't relate to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your friend is going about this the wrong way OP. Perhaps what she is trying to say is that if you know Jesus and accept him into your life- the depression you are experiencing may lessen and you may start to feel better all around. Will it magically “go away”? I can’t answer that for you. I have been taking medication for years which keeps my depression at bay- but until I found a church that spoke to me and really started to immerse myself in faith, I never really felt fulfilled or happy.
I can genuinely say now that I am a much happier person. My life feels more fulfilling. The friends and relationships I’ve made at my church are real- and I know those people will be there for me no matter what. Studying the Bible makes me honestly reflect on how I’m living my life and treating others. I do think finding the right church makes a big difference. I had not found one that I really felt at home with until 2 years ago.
Another thing you can do, without even going to church is to simply open yourself up to the word of God. Download the YouVersion app. There are lessons to help you in many areas of your life.
But ultimately- it’s very important to find a church family. If you are open to it- just try out a lot of different churches. Eventually one will feel right to you.
If this friend of yours keeps “blaming” yoir depression on lack of faith- she’s not a true friend and she is twisting the true foundations of Jesus’ teachings. In any event- I’ll pray for uou OP. Depression is such a hard thing to live with. Those who have not experienced it cannot truly understand.

Finding a church family was very important for you, but perhaps not for OP. A lot of non-religious people become depressed too, and then come out of it, without ever going to church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My whole life I’ve been surrounded by depressed Christians, including myself. The Book of Job is all about depression.

Your friend is ignorant and I’m sorry they said such an unkind thing. Depression visits the believer and unbeliever alike. This world is so awful and brutal so much of the time, I think many Christians struggle more because they have to grapple with the suffering God allows - at least we atheists can find comfort in the absurdity and randomness of life’s cruelties.

The world is so beautiful and Christians recognize how perfectly it is created by the God. I've never met a depressed Christian in my life, honestly. Even if hard times comes, they carry through it and thank the God in the end. They may struggle, but they don't get depressed. I see that the hard times only make them stronger and more grateful. I am happy that you finding your comfort and it helps you with your depression.

Wow. Consider yourself one the more fortunate beings on the planet. But I assure you that many of those happy people are quite depressed behind closed doors. There is a big mental health stigma that revolves around your exact phrasing from above. People don't seek treatment because if they pray hard enough, God will cure them. But then they are still feeling bad...and second guess themselves and their faith...which leads to more depression. Easier to just say God is testing you because you are somehow special. But just as you said above, if your naivete helps you find comfort, than I'm happy for you.

I will take to be naïveté rather than depressed on any day of my life. And I raised happy children who never experienced depression because of their relationship with God.

I can say exactly the same thing about you: it is easier to pop the pill rather than seek and find the truth in your life and connect the dots.

PP. God gave us a full range of emotions to feel. A healthy psyche feels all emotions, positive and negative. You have a frame a reference of what "happy" is because you have experienced "sad" and vice versa. And quite honestly, you being sure that you've discovered the secret to happiness in God and so have your children, more than millions of other Christians is silly. What dots have you all connected? It's clear that you don't suffer from depression, and that's actually a huge blessing. But until you have, until Satan has tempted you with a crappy mood, you don't know what it's like and you should not pass judgment. And I hope you never need a pill to address high blood pressure, cancer, a sinus infection, type 2 diabetes, a headache, kidney stones, congestive heart failure, etc. A neuro chemical imbalance is a physical ailment just as they are and if a body is the temple God says it is, isn't it being ungodly to ignore modern medicine to help get your brain back on track so you can worship God. Pray and meditate on this response and soften your heart to those who have an ailment that you can't relate to.

I am praying for you to understand where your chemical imbalance came from. I hope you can see the correlation between your life choices and chemical balance in your brain, in your heart and in your guts.God bless you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My whole life I’ve been surrounded by depressed Christians, including myself. The Book of Job is all about depression.

Your friend is ignorant and I’m sorry they said such an unkind thing. Depression visits the believer and unbeliever alike. This world is so awful and brutal so much of the time, I think many Christians struggle more because they have to grapple with the suffering God allows - at least we atheists can find comfort in the absurdity and randomness of life’s cruelties.

The world is so beautiful and Christians recognize how perfectly it is created by the God. I've never met a depressed Christian in my life, honestly. Even if hard times comes, they carry through it and thank the God in the end. They may struggle, but they don't get depressed. I see that the hard times only make them stronger and more grateful. I am happy that you finding your comfort and it helps you with your depression.

Wow. Consider yourself one the more fortunate beings on the planet. But I assure you that many of those happy people are quite depressed behind closed doors. There is a big mental health stigma that revolves around your exact phrasing from above. People don't seek treatment because if they pray hard enough, God will cure them. But then they are still feeling bad...and second guess themselves and their faith...which leads to more depression. Easier to just say God is testing you because you are somehow special. But just as you said above, if your naivete helps you find comfort, than I'm happy for you.

I will take to be naïveté rather than depressed on any day of my life. And I raised happy children who never experienced depression because of their relationship with God.

I can say exactly the same thing about you: it is easier to pop the pill rather than seek and find the truth in your life and connect the dots.

PP. God gave us a full range of emotions to feel. A healthy psyche feels all emotions, positive and negative. You have a frame a reference of what "happy" is because you have experienced "sad" and vice versa. And quite honestly, you being sure that you've discovered the secret to happiness in God and so have your children, more than millions of other Christians is silly. What dots have you all connected? It's clear that you don't suffer from depression, and that's actually a huge blessing. But until you have, until Satan has tempted you with a crappy mood, you don't know what it's like and you should not pass judgment. And I hope you never need a pill to address high blood pressure, cancer, a sinus infection, type 2 diabetes, a headache, kidney stones, congestive heart failure, etc. A neuro chemical imbalance is a physical ailment just as they are and if a body is the temple God says it is, isn't it being ungodly to ignore modern medicine to help get your brain back on track so you can worship God. Pray and meditate on this response and soften your heart to those who have an ailment that you can't relate to.

Experiencing negative emotions, feeling sad and grieving -- of course. We all have to process those emotions. But God does not want you to be continuously sad and he gave you perfect tools and taught you how not to be sad. To use those tools or not is a personal choice. One can rejoice, another can choose prescribed medication. Satan will tempt all people equally, we all have been there. But it is a personal choice how you chose to confront those temptations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My whole life I’ve been surrounded by depressed Christians, including myself. The Book of Job is all about depression.

Your friend is ignorant and I’m sorry they said such an unkind thing. Depression visits the believer and unbeliever alike. This world is so awful and brutal so much of the time, I think many Christians struggle more because they have to grapple with the suffering God allows - at least we atheists can find comfort in the absurdity and randomness of life’s cruelties.

The world is so beautiful and Christians recognize how perfectly it is created by the God. I've never met a depressed Christian in my life, honestly. Even if hard times comes, they carry through it and thank the God in the end. They may struggle, but they don't get depressed. I see that the hard times only make them stronger and more grateful. I am happy that you finding your comfort and it helps you with your depression.

Wow. Consider yourself one the more fortunate beings on the planet. But I assure you that many of those happy people are quite depressed behind closed doors. There is a big mental health stigma that revolves around your exact phrasing from above. People don't seek treatment because if they pray hard enough, God will cure them. But then they are still feeling bad...and second guess themselves and their faith...which leads to more depression. Easier to just say God is testing you because you are somehow special. But just as you said above, if your naivete helps you find comfort, than I'm happy for you.

The above may apply to people with similar beliefs about God and Satan, but does not necessarily apply to the physiological or psychological bases for depression

I will take to be naïveté rather than depressed on any day of my life. And I raised happy children who never experienced depression because of their relationship with God.

I can say exactly the same thing about you: it is easier to pop the pill rather than seek and find the truth in your life and connect the dots.

PP. God gave us a full range of emotions to feel. A healthy psyche feels all emotions, positive and negative. You have a frame a reference of what "happy" is because you have experienced "sad" and vice versa. And quite honestly, you being sure that you've discovered the secret to happiness in God and so have your children, more than millions of other Christians is silly. What dots have you all connected? It's clear that you don't suffer from depression, and that's actually a huge blessing. But until you have, until Satan has tempted you with a crappy mood, you don't know what it's like and you should not pass judgment. And I hope you never need a pill to address high blood pressure, cancer, a sinus infection, type 2 diabetes, a headache, kidney stones, congestive heart failure, etc. A neuro chemical imbalance is a physical ailment just as they are and if a body is the temple God says it is, isn't it being ungodly to ignore modern medicine to help get your brain back on track so you can worship God. Pray and meditate on this response and soften your heart to those who have an ailment that you can't relate to.

Experiencing negative emotions, feeling sad and grieving -- of course. We all have to process those emotions. But God does not want you to be continuously sad and he gave you perfect tools and taught you how not to be sad. To use those tools or not is a personal choice. One can rejoice, another can choose prescribed medication. Satan will tempt all people equally, we all have been there. But it is a personal choice how you chose to confront those temptations.

[Anonymous]

Time to say goodbye to the friendship, OP.