Therapy for Depression (Part 5)

"I seek the Lord, and He answers me and frees me from all my fears. Every face turned to Him grows brighter and is never ashamed. A cry goes up from the poor man, and the Lord hears and helps him in all his troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, He helps those whose spirit is crushed" (Psalm 34: 3-6, 18)

Depression is often a wound deep within the spiritual self or soul of a person. It produces unnecessary, considerable suffering if left uncorrected.

In one group therapy session I conducted among single moms, I remember a woman who was abandoned and serially cheated by her husband many years ago. She said she's ok, but it showed she wasn't yet ("pretense of wellness"). Despite many years that passed, she still could not forgive her husband. This resulted in lingering depression that affected not only her spiritual life but her total being. She remained downhearted and isolated. Her depression so paralyzed her physically and emotionally that she neglects to provide even for her basic needs.

Depression may be viewed as a "tree that thrives in darkness." The darkness distorts perception of the present. It dims one's hopes and expectations for the future. It dwells on the darkness of the past.

Such darkness can not stand in the light of God. He longs to lead the depressed out of the darkness. Jesus said of Himself, "I am the light of the world. No follower of mine shall wander in the dark; he shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

Ultimately, GOD, our light-giving Lord, is the only One who can bring deep, lasting healing to depression.