Christians, just like people of other faiths, fall into depression at some points in their lives. Sometimes troubles seem so overwhelming that sufferers are tempted to simply surrender to the feelings of despair.
Not all Christians are supportive of fellow Christ believers when the latter encounter depression. "There are Christians who don't believe that Christians should fall into depression, and when they find a brother or sister in depression they pass judgement on them," Rosilind Jukic writes in an article for Charisma News.
This only makes matters worse for Christians dealing with depression. Jukic believes that people should do whatever they can to respond positively to a brother or sister who is stuck in depression.
She then lists three things that people should avoid telling depressed Christians, and what they should tell them instead:
1. "Get over it."
"I am convinced that if it were possible to just 'get over' depression, most people would immediately get up and get out of it," says Jukic. However, getting over depression is not really easy, and this is why many people take dangerous psychosomatic drugs.
Instead, it would significantly help if people say, "I'm praying for you." It would be a great comfort for people knowing that someone cares enough to pray for them.
2. "You are in a depression because you've sinned."
Even though being depressed is caused by sin, there is always a right time to confront it. By saying this, people are only making the depressed person feel worse and it might make things more difficult for a person to reach repentance.
It would really help if Christians say instead, "Call me if you need someone to talk to."
"One of the greatest comforts is knowing that we have someone we can talk to....who won't judge us," says Jukic.
3. "You don't have faith, and that is why you're depressed."
There is a misconception that people are not rich, happy, or successful because they don't have faith in God, since these things are all blessings from God. However, Jukic argues that she has seen a lot of unbelievers who live seemingly happy and affluent lives while devout Christians struggle financially and encounter one problem after another.
"When we face difficult circumstances our faith reminds us that God hasn't abandoned us, and He never will. Our faith reminds us that God will always turn things around for our good," she says.
What Christians should always remind each other is that, "God is with you, even if you don't feel Him right now."
"Depression isn't God's will, just as it wasn't God's will for Job to remain in his difficult circumstances. But sometimes depression is a normal reaction to hard times, and how we respond to a person in depression is very important," says Jukic.