Depression has become the most common illness of human beings in the present century. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the United States, each year 9.5% of the American population (approximately 18.8 million adults) suffers from depressive illnesses; and about 6.7% of American adults ages 18 and older suffer from depression. Depression affects the brain and goes beyond it, reaching our mood, our behavior, and the way we think. It is something that goes beyond feeling sad, for it affects self-esteem and the way we appreciate what surrounds us. In some families severe depression appears generation after generation, and it not only destroys the life of the person who suffers from it, but also the life of his family.
In women, because of hormonal causes, depressive states were considered almost normal, but now it is not only a menstrual or female hormonal disorder; it also affects men, the elderly, and in recent decades even children. Depression occurs almost twice as often in women as in men; nevertheless, the suicide rate in men is four times higher than in women. It has been shown that work, alcohol, and drugs mask depression in men more commonly than in women. Frequent states of anger and irritability, or sudden changes from joy to tears, constant states of anxiety, thoughts of death or suicide, as well as suicide attempts, are only symptoms of that deathlike state of hopelessness and pessimism.
There are certain medications and psychotherapies that fight depression and seem effective; however, they only relieve it, but do not cure it. Time has proven that technological advances have helped science, but not the human being nor his miseries. It is notable, and even more contradictory, that in the age of communication man feels sadder and lonelier. Neither have material possessions been able to satisfy him, but only to prove the immense void that the human being carries inside, which nothing earthly can fill. The chimerical pursuit of happiness, social stereotypes, injustices, evil that has multiplied, the wickedness of parents against their children and of children against their parents, the lack of integrity, lewdness, and corruption in every sphere leave only one desire in the one who does not know God nor the salvation that is in His Son Jesus Christ: death.
It is clear, then, that depression does not come from God, because from Him flows life. The sorrow of the world produces death, but there is a sorrow generated by God, to mend our heart, to make us sober, to produce repentance leading to salvation. The believer also suffers states of melancholy, sadness, and pain, but the Word of God gives us the solution: “Is anyone among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praises” (James 5:13). The Lord hears prayer and has promised it, for He said: “Because he has set his love upon Me, I will also deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and glorify him” (Psalms 91:15-16).
There is healing in God for our wounds; there is a balm that cures, an ointment and perfume that gladden our heart! Take comfort in God.
Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of Jehovah makes rich, And adds no sorrow with it”.
Ecclesiastes 7:3
“Sorrow is better than laughter, for by the sadness of the face the heart will be made better”
Jeremiah 31:13
“Then the virgin shall rejoice in the dance, young men and old together; for I will turn their weeping into joy, and I will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow”.
John 16:20
“Truly, truly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, and the world will rejoice; but though you are sorrowful, your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow, because her hour has come; but after she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a man has been born into the world. Therefore you also now have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you”
2 Corinthians 7:10
“For the sorrow that is according to God produces repentance to salvation, of which there is nothing to regret; but the sorrow of the world produces death”
Hebrews 12:11
“It is true that no discipline for the present seems to be a cause for joy, but for sorrow; but afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it”
1 Peter 1:6-9
“… though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the proving of your faith, much more precious than gold, which though perishable is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love, in whom, though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory; obtaining the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls”
Revelation 7:17
“… because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them, and will guide them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes”
