CRY OUT FOR HEALING FROM DEPRESSION
Table of Contents
Cry out for healing. Too often, Christians don’t think they can ask God for healing. Why is that?
And when Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us.” (Matthew 9:27–30)
This title may seem strange. But depressed people often don’t think to ask for healing. I didn’t for a long time. I think I know why.
Why don’t depressed Christians seek healing?
Depression, unlike almost any other illness, is often considered to be self-induced and self-indulgent. Yes, sometimes depressed people do contribute to their mental illness, but then people contribute to their medical illnesses as well. And even if we brought on most of our depression, it doesn’t mean we can’t cry out for healing. Jesus forgave. Jesus healed. All that was needed was the request.
Feelings of unworthiness
Some of the most courageous people are those who go about bravely living their lives while simultaneously feeling that horrible sense of dread that defies understanding to anyone who has never felt it. Yet they don’t cry out because they don’t think their illness is worth mentioning, much less healing. Furthermore, they think it’s all their fault.
They feel embarrassed and unworthy of asking for healing because they feel they have brought it on themselves. The cause of the illness has nothing to do with asking for God’s help. Would you feel that way about any other illness? Whether we are completely responsible, somewhat responsible, or not responsible at all, we can bring any illness to God.
There is no barrier to seeking God’s help. If we think there is, it’s because we put it there.
Guilt feelings
Don’t let feelings of guilt get in your way either. Guilt can be a real stumbling block for someone who is depressed because they are always looking for what they did to bring on their illness.
We can cry out for healing just like these blind men. The blind men knew what they wanted. They wanted to be healed, and they were—immediately.
Healing is a process.
I’m sure some people have been healed from depression immediately, too. But for most of us, like for most things in life, it’s more of a process. Besides, it takes time to learn principles and coping strategies to equip us for possible future episodes. And even if we never have another one, these same strategies will help us in other areas of our lives.
Faulty thinking
One of the ways God heals depression is by opening our eyes to our faulty thinking and bad habits. And should science prove depression is only physical, we will still have learned better ways to think and have formed better habits. And that will serve us well in the future.
Healing through books.
God can heal through books. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve randomly picked up a book and read something that got me through the day. We don’t often consider books part of the healing process, but they are. And, of course, the Bible is the best book.
Healing through people.
God also heals through bringing loving and understanding people into our lives. Sometimes they are family, friends, or pastors; often, they are strangers. Sometimes they are even people we don’t particularly like. But they’re just the sandpaper we need. God has often spoken to me through people I’m not likely to meet again.
Healing through medicine.
Another way God heals is by prompting us to seek medical help. God can heal through medicine. God’s healing doesn’t have to subscribe to any one method. He can and does heal however he chooses.
Don’t close the door on any avenue God leads you to pursue just because of what someone might think—or what you might think. Don’t be so stubborn that you end up making your depression even worse. One thing is for sure. God doesn’t generally heal unless He’s invited. It begins with the asking. The blind men knew that. Do you?
Have you prayed for healing?
If so, are you trusting that God is doing just that?
