Do I have to repent for my depression?

[venksta]

Depression is something many, many people face, especially us Christians. Here is a Psalm, written by someone dealing with depression:

Psalm 42

Know that you're not alone, and take comfort in that thought. If you have not taken notice, there is a Depression sub-forum here, where you maybe able to connect with others, and get support from those who have fought the same battle as you are going through now, or even going through at this moment.

Depression Disorders

I deal with depression myself. Sometimes its seasonal, and sometimes its due to current events in my life. I find when I can get my mind moving forward, doing new things, looking forward to new things, it can help. The joyful times, when I'm in depression, comes to me when I allow God to draw me close to him, to his word. We are all created to be unique, in front of God. And so will most of our battles be unique, but we all share the same God, and the same Savior, Jesus Christ.

That reminds me, Jesus also experienced depression, in the garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26

36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go yonder and pray.

37 And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and sore troubled.

38 Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: abide ye here, and watch with me.

39 And he went forward a little, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass away from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

Lastly, someone once mentioned this to me. Don't consider it "my depression". Consider it something you can share with God.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

Oh dear, I am sorry your fellow Christian has given you advice filled with error. Depression can be a physical condition in which we have no control over unless there is some medical examination and intervention. The feeling of darkness not connected to a physical condition, can be due to many reasons. I know for myself some days are just fine and some days I just feel very blue . But never do I feel that I have sinned! I will pray that your friend stop advising until discernment comes their way. I will pray for you that light come into your darkness through His Holy Spirit. Be blessed.

 

[Anthony2019]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

No you don't need to repent of your depression. What you need to do is to be much gentler and kinder on yourself, just as God is gentle and kind with you.
Over the coming days, treat yourself to something special. Maybe a hobby, a past time, or even something that makes you happy. Consider it a gift from the Lord and thank Him for it. It is something that has been given to you to bless and enrich your life. It gives God great pleasure giving good things to you because He loves you. God bless you.

 

[chilehed]

Do I have to repent for my depression?

[DrippingSarcasm]The same way as you have to repent for having the flu?? [/DrippingSarcasm]

I have no patience for numbskulls who lay that kind of garbage on people who are suffering an illness. And make no mistake, depression is an illness. Consult your physician.

 

[Salvadore]

I have had Major Depressive Disorder since I was 9 years old. I just carry on. I do not have a lot of friends, but I do have the One who counts! He is always available to listen. Sometimes it is very difficult to face the day. I would encourage you to check out the forum on mental health. Prayers for you. And, you don't need to ask for forgiveness for depression

 

[kiwimac]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

His comments to you are utter nonsense.

 

[HARK!]

Look at this video:

It makes me anxious and I know that I'm not good enough because I haven't been resisting my sins and when I do my sin it temporarily takes me out of my depression and it's like a drug. I won't specify my sin because I don't think the mods will let me but I'm addicted to my sin and I'm trying to get my sins gone but I know I'm going to Hell now.

I didn't see this video before my previous post. It puts my closing comment in a completely different context.

I understand that I don't have the power to be sinless on my own; but Yahshua takes our sins away. We must trust in YHWH enough to take over in our lives. Saying that you know that you're destined for destruction, is not trusting him. We are not as wise as he. I won't claim to know what he has planned for me.

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

 

[HARK!]

Yes, I totally repented of being an atheist in February. I don't remember the exact date but I do remember that day.

That wasn't long ago. It takes time to mature in our belief.

But what about John 3:5? I have't gotten baptized ever.

Abraham is called the Father of Faith; but he wasn't circumcised until he was 99 years old.

If you feel an urgent call to a ritual cleansing; call your friend and go to a river. If it's so urgent that you can't wait for him; let YHWH lead you to the river himself.

 

[friend of]

Depression can become an idol in our lives. But to be thankful for all that we have is a counter to this.

 

[friend of]

I'll be praying for you, my friend

 

[Mel333]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

I used to suffer from depression. The way out was to focus on what Christ has done for me on the cross who paid for my sins with his blood once and for all. Stopped hating myself then.

Then I got baptised and things overtime have very much improved. That is, my old self died to sin and was reborn free from the old law.

I recommend bible reading New Testament, baptism & understanding what Christ did on the cross and what baptism means.

You’ll be able to hear him better with reading the New Testament.

In the meantime, try and eat healthy, exercise & be creative with art.

It is hard to not be depressed when you feel terrible about yourself. But the Lord does love you and you’re in the process of opening up to his love for you. He wants you to be free from condemning thoughts of yourself.

Researching and seeking him is key. ie bible study. Reading other books to explain bits you may not understand.

Hope this helps you in some way. Depression sucks and just eats your time and talents.

Depression is about dwelling on the past which paralyses you in the present. The only way out is to focus on Christ. The guy is amazing.

 

[Mel333]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

Also, I recommend you find better Christian friends.

This one will just make you feel worse and isn’t pointing you to Christ.

Just telling you to snap out of it and try harder is not the answer to salvation. Anyone who points you to Christ and then walks with you on your journey to Him is a friend.

This person you spoke to just compounds the depression by condemning you further with what you’re not doing right.

Repentance is in the act of turning to the Lord and getting to know him. Saying sorry for your sins and receiving his love & forgiveness once and for all. Then overtime he sorts you out to be able to walk a good life.

The Lord gave his only son Jesus to pay the price for sin for sinners

 

[Mari_magdel]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

Many people in the Bible dealt with depression at some point. Mainly because of their circumstances due to the result of sin. Others due to what they witnessed by sin. This world is sad, and cursed. If it didn’t sadden you I’d be worried. Do you need to repent for being depressed? Not at all, here are some verses to show you why.

 

[shineyourlight]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

You do not have to repent. At all.

You can be going through a hard season of depression or you could be clinically depressed.

Regardless, I am so sorry people have told you that this is a sin, that this is something you have to repent of.

I have high-functioning depression. Meaning, I can do a lot of things with it, but depression makes it hard. Most people wouldn't know I have depression. I know how to move through it, I know what I need to do to be successful, even though it is a struggle. I make sure I stick to a routine, I make sure to be TALKING to people, and I make sure to be talking to Jesus in the deepest of dark times, even when I don't understand it. I make sure to say "yes" to social gatherings when my depression tells me to say "no." I make sure to shower and brush my teeth (twice in one day ), when my depression screams at me not to.

It is hard and you have a Father who loves you and who knows your suffering. He gets it. He sometimes tells me to, "So, you've done good. But, it's okay to just let it out. Come lay down on your bed. Let me comfort you." And I'll go down, curl up, and cry and I allow Him to be close in that sadness, to help me in those times, even if I don't understand.

Go to Him. He will help.

 

[Swan7]

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

Being depressed is not sin, there is a complete difference between self pity and depression. I’m from Canada and it’s far common to be depressed there because of a lack of sun during the long winter. Not to mention it’s COLD!


For me personally, God used depression to tell me that I was lacking Him in my life (Son/Sun). And that I was also lacking actual vitamin D from the sun itself. I’m not saying that this is what’s going on with you, but I am letting you know that God could be telling you something.
God did something similar with the Laodiceans in Revelation with their cool water system and He turned the temperature from cool water to lukewarm - telling them that they were lukewarm concerning God. It’s an interesting read.

Depression is a sickness. Not something to repent but to ask God for healing. God didn’t heal me right away either, He did ease it for me so I could learn His ways and eventually I was healed of depression.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

No, depression is a disease. Would you have to repent for catching the flu? Would you have to repent for having an infection in your arm? Of course not.

The person you spoke to is not just wrong, but is telling you deeply toxic things.

Whatever this church environment you are part of is, it is clearly a bad place and, frankly, you should walk away and never look back.

Find a church community that preaches Christ.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

What are you depressed about?

That's not how depression works. Depressive episodes can have triggers, but they can also just come out of no where. Depression is a medical condition.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Strong in Him]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

Does your doctor know about this?
Are you on medication, or could you talk to a counsellor?

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Depression is an illness.
Has anyone ever told him to repent for having measles/flu/a cold?

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

No.

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

Sorry, but if he thinks depression is "feeling sorry for yourself", he doesn't understand it.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

Passing judgement on someone when you don't know what you're talking about isn't that godly either.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

Well, first of all, you may be getting an answer, but because you are depressed you don't recognise, or feel, it. That's what depression does.
Secondly, have you seen a doctor about this?

 

[Redwingfan9]

I've been depressed for a while now. Everything just feels dark. I feel guilty for being happy.

So I finally talked to a fellow Christian about it and he told me that I have to repent for those thoughts.

Do I? I know it's bad but am I commiting sin for being depressed?

He said "I urge you to depart from such mindsets asap and repent of those kinds of thoughts, especially from feeling sorry for yourself for those things of the past or whatever is driving those kinds of feelings.

He also said it is a very UNGODLY thinking pattern and is the result of demonic forces working in my life.

I don't necessarily feel sorry for myself, I just feel like everything is bleak and drab, and I've been praying and praying and praying for help and no answer.

The answer is that yes you do need to repent. Every activity in our lives that is done apart from God or not for his glory is sin. Even activities that aren't sin can be sin if not done for his glory.

As for depression, is it sin? Not being content with what God has given you and worrying about things certainly is sin. So yes, you need to repent of it. Could it be the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain? Yes. I would encourage you to see a doctor and ask if there's a low dose antidepressant he can prescribe you.

 

[Celticroots]

Depression is a mental illness. Do you have to repent when you’re physically ill? No. The same applies to mental illness.

Stop listening to people who tell you that garbage. Who tells you that crap and why do you listen to them?

Regarding praying for help and not getting an answer, God put psychiatrists and psychologists here for a reason. His answer is most likely through one of those people. He won’t magically make things happen. You need to take the first step.