Depression: What is It?

“I am depressed.”

Maybe you have heard someone make this claim. Perhaps you have made it yourself. Or, you may be wondering if you have depression.

What is depression? Some have described it as a deep hole in which no light shines. Others style it as a heavy blanket draped over them. Whatever it is, it is certainly not simple. As Brian Borgman writes, “Depression is complex. The medical and physiological issues are complex. The emotional and spiritual issues are complex.”¹

Considering the complexities of depression, there is no way to cover what it entails in a single blog post. With that in mind, we can, at the very least, begin a discussion of depression as we seek to bring all our thoughts (including depression) into the captivity and rule of Christ.²

Depression, as complex as it is, can start from almost any experience. As Jay Adams writes, “Almost anything can be at the root of the counselee’s depression: a recent illness in which he gets behind in his work, hormonal changes, a reversal of his fortunes, the consequences of simple negligence, guilt over a particular sin, self-pity arising from jealousy or a disadvantageous turn of events, bad feeling resulting from resentment, worry, etc.”³ Additionally, a lack of sleep, poor diet, and other physical causes can contribute to depression.⁴

Thus, the causes for depression are many, and often are not tied to one single issue. The question that comes to the biblical counselor is, “Does the Bible speak about depression? Do the Scriptures offer hope for a depressed individual?” To which the biblical counselor would offer this confident answer, “Yes, the Scriptures contain all that is necessary for life and godliness, including how to address depression.”⁵

In future posts, we will examine the contributing factors toward depression. We will also see how our responses to the various challenges of life in a fallen world also contribute to and intensify our depression. Then, we will examine how the Scriptures equip us to take those depressive thoughts captive to experience hope and the God of hope (see Rom. 15:4, 13).

*If you are experiencing depression, I would encourage you to reach out to a biblical counselor in your area. Here are a few options for you:

ASSOCIATION OF BIBLICAL COUNSELORS

CHRISTIAN COUNSELING AND EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED BIBLICAL COUNSELORS

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Bobby Howell is the pastor of Warrior Creek Baptist Church in Gray Court, SC. We republish his articles by permission.

1. Brian S. Borgman, Feelings and Faith: Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2009), 133. [↩]
2. Paul writes about this in 2 Corinthians 10:1-6, specifically verse 5. [↩]
3. Jay E. Adams, The Christian Counselor’s Manual: The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1973), 375. While I appreciate Adams’ work, I think he makes a mistake in always tying depression with sin. We, as complex beings of both spiritual and physical compositions, living in a fallen world, are subject to the unfortunate results of sin in our physical and mental capacities. While he does not deny this, ultimately, he points back to the counselee’s sin (see page 378). [↩]
4. Harvard Mental Health Letter, “Sleep and Mental Health: Sleep Deprivation Can Affect Your Mental Health,” Harvard Health Publishing, July 2009, https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/sleep-and-mental-health, accessed 11 November 2020; Monique Tello, “Diet and Depression,” Harvard Health Publishing, 22 February 2018, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/diet-and-depression-2018022213309, accessed 11 November 2020. [↩]
5. See 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” ESV [↩]