Present and Future Hope | Questions and Answers
I have prayed for a long time for God to take away my depression. Will my depression end?
I have a friend at church who confided in me that her husband is sometimes violent. What should I do?
I have prayed for a long time for God to take away my depression. Will my depression end?
When we are struggling with depression it may feel like it will never end. Last summer I had the opportunity to travel to the beach for a few days. I love to watch the waves from the ocean flow to the edge of the shore. The waves start out huge but by the time they reach the shore they calm down and eventually fade back into the ocean. This is a snapshot of how depression can flow in and out of our lives.
Depression is a common and serious medical condition that can affect our behavior and attitudes. When we are depressed, we may find we are unable to concentrate, feel irritable, and have a negative outlook on life. The way we feel on any given day can shift, leaving us with feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and apathy. Depression may even have physical effects including sleep disturbance, chronic fatigue, or lack of energy. All of these are symptoms of depression.
While it is good to bring our need continually before God, we should also realize that depression can last for prolonged periods of time. In the meantime, we can find help to manage symptoms. One of my favorite examples of God’s care for someone struggling with depression is the story of the prophet Elijah. Following a major victory, the prophet sank into deep depression and despair (1 Kings 19:1–5). He had just defeated the prophets of Baal, and God answered Elijah’s prayers for rain. But soon after this victory, he found himself on the run again. Fearful for his life, he traveled to Mount Horeb. During this time of depression and despair, God sent an angel to care for Elijah in three ways with sleep, rest, and food (1 Kings 19:6–8). God used this time to help Elijah regain his strength so he could be ready for his next assignment.
The same God who cared for Elijah knows, loves, and cares for you as well (Matt. 7:11). God also gives us resources that can help strengthen and carry us when we walk through times of difficulty. If you are in the midst of depression, seek professional help and support from your loved ones. Receive the comfort and care the Lord provides during difficulty (Matt. 11:28–30; Ps. 4:8; Phil. 4:7; 2 Cor. 1:3–7). Like Elijah, we may need extra sleep, rest, and food. But through it all we can be certain that God loves and cares for us when we are weak.
I have a friend at church who confided in me that her husband is sometimes violent. What should I do?
I am so thankful your friend felt you were someone she could confide in. It takes a great deal of courage to seek out help from a friend or loved one during a difficult and painful experience such as domestic violence. The fact that she spoke to you shows the importance of being a person who demonstrates the love of Christ by walking alongside those in need.
Domestic violence includes any type of physical, sexual, or psychological harm caused by a spouse or partner. The range of this type of violence can occur from a one-time incident or long-term chronic abuse from months to years. Sadly, domestic violence has affected at least 1 in 5 women, and 1 in 7 men in the United States (see “Violence Prevention” on the CDC website).
Domestic violence often occurs in secret and is hidden from others. I often think of the story of Hagar, the servant of Sarah, and the mother of Abraham’s firstborn son, Ishmael. Hagar suffered alone and endured an abusive situation (Gen. 16:1–16; 21:9–21). For Hagar, the Lord sends an angel to care for her while she was in the desert. Hagar, who had suffered for so long, experienced God’s care. “You are the God who sees me,” she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me” (Gen. 16:13).
Our response to domestic violence should be one of compassion, care, support, modeling Christ’s love for those in need of help, support, and resources (Gal. 6:10; 2 Cor. 1:4; Eph. 6:22; 1 Thess. 5:11). If you are a family member or friend of the one in need, here are a few ways to support. First, encourage the person who is in an unsafe situation, such as domestic violence, to get to safety.
Second, call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline, (800) 799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788 or a local community hotline. If your church has counseling or lay counseling ministry, seek out support for the individual or family in crisis. In a dangerous domestic violence situation, call the police if the individual in crisis cannot reach the police or needs immediate help.
BY Dr. Valencia Wiggins, PhD, L.P.C.
Valencia Wiggins grew up in Ohio and graduated from Wheaton College. She earned a Masters in Clinical Psychology at Wheaton Graduate School, and PhD in Clinical Psychology at Walden University. She has taught at Moody Seminary for four years. In addition, Dr. Wiggins works in private practice as a clinical psychologist. Her clinical work includes sexual abuse, trauma, grief and loss, eating disorders, family issues, depression, adolescents, and women’s issues.