Jesus Had The Cure For Depression & Other Ailments

AudioArtist · Mar 27, 2011

mrhappy3, thank you for sharing. I understand why some people may have been offended, but I believe your intentions were good, and it is always wonderful to hear of Jesus Christ miraculously healing depression and other mental illnesses. Of course, God does also work through doctors and therapy and medication, and we celebrate His victories in our lives however He chooses to free us. Our God is God the Healer!

I do believe what you said about giving up your life to find true life is true in general. That is why people like Andrew White, Brother Yun, Jackie Pullinger, Heidi Baker and others have such incredible joy in the face of terrible suffering and persecution. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Whatever happens, He will be with us and He will be our rock and our source of peace.

I find this verse powerful:

Romans 8:18

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

And I just heard this very old hymn which I believe is relevant:

No, never alone,
No, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

mrhappy3 · Mar 27, 2011

I myself have found this to be the most UNTOUCHABLE of subjects in the past.

mrhappy3 · Mar 27, 2011

AudioArtist said:
mrhappy3, thank you for sharing. I understand why some people may have been offended, but I believe your intentions were good, and it is always wonderful to hear of Jesus Christ miraculously healing depression and other mental illnesses. Of course, God does also work through doctors and therapy and medication, and we celebrate His victories in our lives however He chooses to free us. Our God is God the Healer!

I do believe what you said about giving up your life to find true life is true in general. That is why people like Andrew White, Brother Yun, Jackie Pullinger, Heidi Baker and others have such incredible joy in the face of terrible suffering and persecution. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Whatever happens, He will be with us and He will be our rock.

I find this verse powerful:

Romans 8:18

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

And I just heard this very old hymn which I believe is relevant:

No, never alone,
No, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

appreciated, I love it when I meet bothers and sisters who have been and are going through the fire..they seem different, like they have accepted the portion that the Lord has given them and press on further, they give me hope.

Joy · Mar 27, 2011

Faulty said:
I must say, this is indeed an interesting set of responses from a group who overall (not necessarily individually to be sure, nor aimed at you directly) claims to some extent all healings at all times when just grabbed by faith.

What ever happened to the usual responses that used to come here? "Believe you receive and you will have whatever you ask in His name", "You can do all things through Christ who strenghtens you", etc. Where is all that now?

If I'm having a bad day, I'm to pray for a better one. If my daughter is sick, I'm to pray over her for healing. But depression, well, that's something else entirely isn't it? Forget the prayers. Forget the faith. We need "doctors" and "medicine" to really combat this thing don't we? I mean, time to pull out the heavy guns!

Yup. I find this all very interesting indeed.

I agree with you
I love what Jesus says in Luke 4 18 He has come to heal the broken hearted and set the captives free and this is for today. While an individual may need medication I believe we should have spiritual support as well and receive prayer as well as take medication. Because Jesus is untimately the only One who can heal our deepest wounds and hurts.

AudioArtist · Mar 27, 2011

mrhappy3 said:
appreciated, I love it when I meet bothers and sisters who have been and are going through the fire..they seem different, like they have accepted the portion that the Lord has given them and press on further, they give me hope.

Thank you for the encouragement. I have been going through two fires recently - the fire of constant, brutal insomnia, and the fire of His Presence. If it wasn't for God's glory and presence and the work He has given me, I am sure I would be in a very, very bad place right now.

Since I experienced God's glory for days on end in the summer, nothing has been the same. I am not always obedient and I don't always guard His presence jealousy enough, but the hunger and obedience are there on a level that they hadn't been before. And I am able to say, in everything, that God is Good.

Keep on pressing in yourself! There is always more!

mrhappy3 · Mar 27, 2011

AudioArtist said:
Thank you for the encouragement. I have been going through two fires recently - the fire of constant, brutal insomnia, and the fire of His Presence. If it wasn't for God's glory and presence and the work He has given me, I am sure I would be in a very, very bad place right now.

Since I experienced God's glory for days on end in the summer, nothing has been the same. I am not always obedient and I don't always guard His presence jealousy enough, but the hunger and obedience are there on a level that they hadn't been before. And I am able to say, in everything, that God is Good.

Keep on pressing in yourself! There is always more!

LOL ! I have a similar story, I have experienced a wonderful surge of his Spirit of Late.

I aim to keep "seeking" more of "him" - the things of the world have gone strangely dim of late and isn't TV rubbish !

gratefulgrace · Mar 27, 2011

Faulty said:
I must say, this is indeed an interesting set of responses from a group who overall (not necessarily individually to be sure, nor aimed at you directly) claims to some extent all healings at all times when just grabbed by faith.

What ever happened to the usual responses that used to come here? "Believe you receive and you will have whatever you ask in His name", "You can do all things through Christ who strenghtens you", etc. Where is all that now?

If I'm having a bad day, I'm to pray for a better one. If my daughter is sick, I'm to pray over her for healing. But depression, well, that's something else entirely isn't it? Forget the prayers. Forget the faith. We need "doctors" and "medicine" to really combat this thing don't we? I mean, time to pull out the heavy guns!

Yup. I find this all very interesting indeed.

This is over the top Faulty and not at all what we are trying to say. I am part of a healing rooms team and believe in praying for the sick. But we would never advise someone to stop taking medicine or seeing their doctor as if this is somehow contrary to 'faith'. All we are saying is that it is important to think and pray before we speak a pronouncement about healing for depression or anything else for that matter. God is the healer he chooses the avenue to heal obviously for some of us this has been a combination of supernatural and natural means. We don't have to apologize for that at all. PTL
mrhappy I don't think anyone is offended at what you wrote in the OP. This was your experience and you are right we have started talking about the problem and perhaps we have all learned something from one another. gg

Svt4Him · Mar 27, 2011

Faulty said:
I must say, this is indeed an interesting set of responses from a group who overall (not necessarily individually to be sure, nor aimed at you directly) claims to some extent all healings at all times when just grabbed by faith.

What ever happened to the usual responses that used to come here? "Believe you receive and you will have whatever you ask in His name", "You can do all things through Christ who strenghtens you", etc. Where is all that now?

If I'm having a bad day, I'm to pray for a better one. If my daughter is sick, I'm to pray over her for healing. But depression, well, that's something else entirely isn't it? Forget the prayers. Forget the faith. We need "doctors" and "medicine" to really combat this thing don't we? I mean, time to pull out the heavy guns!

Yup. I find this all very interesting indeed.

I am so glad you find it interesting. I find it interesting how you twist the truth (isn't God truth and wouldn't therefore a twisted truth seem to be more in line with...well, you can see where that goes), what does that say? I recommend doctors, I think they are gifts from God. Now if you would, show me where I've ever said to forget faith or where exactly I've ever said to to claim all healing all the time. Yup, I find it all very interesting indeed.

KleinerApfel · Mar 27, 2011

I'm not offended at all Mr. Happy.

Admittedly my first response was a tad knee-jerkish, since it's only in recent months I've finally knocked that beast on the head, so I'm sorry I didn't pitch that post a little less stridently.

The main motivation for my comments is in the hope that anyone reading this thread through the distorting lens of depression will see that it's not their fault and lack of faith.

Good thread, lots of different viewpoints.

dies-l · Mar 27, 2011

Faulty said:
I must say, this is indeed an interesting set of responses from a group who overall (not necessarily individually to be sure, nor aimed at you directly) claims to some extent all healings at all times when just grabbed by faith.

What ever happened to the usual responses that used to come here? "Believe you receive and you will have whatever you ask in His name", "You can do all things through Christ who strenghtens you", etc. Where is all that now?

If I'm having a bad day, I'm to pray for a better one. If my daughter is sick, I'm to pray over her for healing. But depression, well, that's something else entirely isn't it? Forget the prayers. Forget the faith. We need "doctors" and "medicine" to really combat this thing don't we? I mean, time to pull out the heavy guns!

Yup. I find this all very interesting indeed.

I would understand your concern if this were the WoF forum, but it is not. And, surely you understand that not all charismatics are WoF. In fact, I would argue that your response, which basically rebukes those of us who have used modern medicine to address a common health problem, as though we "forget the prayers. forget the faith . . . .", essentially reveals a major problem with the way that some WoF believers have contorted the Gospel . And, it is this unbiblical mentality that turns many hurting people away from the faith.

I really do believe that the OP meant well in what was posted. And, that is why I tried to respond with gentle correction. But, your response, which is to criticize any believer who would use medicine to address a medical problem is completely unwarranted, as though the fact that we were unable to be healed just by praying and having faith indicates that there is something wrong with our faith.

gratefulgrace · Mar 27, 2011

dies-l said:
I would understand your concern if this were the WoF forum, but it is not. And, surely you understand that not all charismatics are WoF. In fact, I would argue that your response, which basically rebukes those of us who have used modern medicine to address a common health problem, as though we "forget the prayers. forget the faith . . . .", essentially reveals a major problem with the way that some WoF believers have contorted the Gospel . And, it is this unbiblical mentality that turns many hurting people away from the faith.

I really do believe that the OP meant well in what was posted. And, that is why I tried to respond with gentle correction. But, your response, which is to criticize any believer who would use medicine to address a medical problem is completely unwarranted, as though the fact that we were unable to be healed just by praying and having faith indicates that there is something wrong with our faith.

Yes a very puzzling response from Faulty and not his usual stance as I recall.

Ajax 777 · Mar 27, 2011

dies-l said:
But, your response, which is to criticize any believer who would use medicine to address a medical problem is completely unwarranted, as though the fact that we were unable to be healed just by praying and having faith indicates that there is something wrong with our faith.

Ordinarily, I don't speak for others, but I think what he meant to call attention to
was the hypocrisy of those who do the very thing you perceive he is doing:
slighting the faith of those who are hurting yet were not miraculously healed instantaneously.

IOW, he is calling out the hypocrisy of those who ordinarily take umbrage at the idea that it may
not be GOD's plan or will to heal us all by ultra-faith when it is these same ones who themselves
are healthy (except for their comfort zones) and claim superior faith during the good times.

These are usually the same people who treat hurting people that take comfort in the thought
that GOD's hand is in every part of their lives, including their unhealed afflictions,
like they had just made some derogatory comment about their wives or husbands.

See, when the same people who are always yelling how GOD wants you healthy and happy
and how dare you come in here with your suffering doctrines you unbelieving Pharisee, etc. etc. etc.
then turn around and demonstrate how they too need compassion, encouragement, and kindness
to endure their own ongoing afflictions, it makes one wonder why one side doesn't exonerate the other,
and vice versa.

At least, that's what I hear when I read it.

I'm not sure why the offense, though....Faulty did say he wasn't aiming at anyone directly...

Svt4Him · Mar 28, 2011

That's a stupid comment. Not directing at anyone, but wow, what a stupid comment.

Lack of directing something doesn't negate the fact that it still can be directed. I was the one in this thread to bring up doctors. Perhaps more did, I'm not sure, but that was specifically addressed in the post.

And no, I don't really think it was a stupid comment, just an example.

mourningdove~ · Mar 28, 2011

Faulty said:
I must say, this is indeed an interesting set of responses from a group who overall (not necessarily individually to be sure, nor aimed at you directly) claims to some extent all healings at all times when just grabbed by faith.

What ever happened to the usual responses that used to come here? "Believe you receive and you will have whatever you ask in His name", "You can do all things through Christ who strenghtens you", etc. Where is all that now?

If I'm having a bad day, I'm to pray for a better one. If my daughter is sick, I'm to pray over her for healing. But depression, well, that's something else entirely isn't it? Forget the prayers. Forget the faith. We need "doctors" and "medicine" to really combat this thing don't we? I mean, time to pull out the heavy guns!

Yup. I find this all very interesting indeed.

I don't understand "why" you would "find this all very interesting", as this is not the WOF Forum.
In case you did not know it, many participants in this forum (including myself) are not WOF in belief.

Ajax 777 · Mar 28, 2011

Svt4Him said:
That's a stupid comment. Not directing at anyone, but wow, what a stupid comment.

Lack of directing something doesn't negate the fact that it still can be directed. I was the one in this thread to bring up doctors. Perhaps more did, I'm not sure, but that was specifically addressed in the post.

And no, I don't really think it was a stupid comment, just an example.

Fair enough.

probinson · Mar 28, 2011

Ajax 777 said:
Ordinarily, I don't speak for others, but I think what he meant to call attention to
was the hypocrisy of those who do the very thing you perceive he is doing:
slighting the faith of those who are hurting yet were not miraculously healed instantaneously.

While there certainly are people who fit into this category, most do not.

I'm curious; when Jesus rebuked His own disciples by calling their faith "little" on multiple occasions, do you believe He was "slighting" their faith? Personally, I believe that Jesus had so much Love and compassion for His disciples that He was compelled to admonish them for their little faith, so that they could grow.

Now I don't make a habit of telling people they lack faith. In fact, I don't think I've ever said that to anyone definitively. But I do know that there have been plenty of times when I have had "little faith" in my own life.

Ajax 777 said:
IOW, he is calling out the hypocrisy of those who ordinarily take umbrage at the idea that it may
not be GOD's plan or will to heal us all by ultra-faith when it is these same ones who themselves
are healthy (except for their comfort zones) and claim superior faith during the good times.

I think Faulty is responding to a caricature of his own making that comes from his past experiences, and not really addressing anyone here.

Ajax 777 said:
These are usually the same people who treat hurting people that take comfort in the thought
that GOD's hand is in every part of their lives, including their unhealed afflictions,
like they had just made some derogatory comment about their wives or husbands.

It does indeed baffle me why people find "comfort" in believing that God is expressly "permitting" bad things to happen to them, especially when James very clearly tells us that temptations and trials don't come from God, and admonishes us to remember that every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of Lights who does not change like shifting shadows.

Personally, I find comfort in knowing that in all things, God works for good. I find comfort in knowing that while I have an enemy who seeks to kill, steal and destroy, I have a Father who sent His Son to give me life more abundantly.

Ajax 777 said:
See, when the same people who are always yelling how GOD wants you healthy and happy
and how dare you come in here with your suffering doctrines you unbelieving Pharisee, etc. etc. etc.
then turn around and demonstrate how they too need compassion, encouragement, and kindness
to endure their own ongoing afflictions, it makes one wonder why one side doesn't exonerate the other,
and vice versa.

I dunno... given what you just said here, it seems to me that you're either unwilling or unable to understand the position of those of us "yelling" about these things.

It is entirely possible to believe that God desires to see us "healthy and happy" (which is a grand oversimplification in itself) while still showing compassion, encouragement and kindness toward people who are suffering afflictions.

I guess the big difference is, it seems when you tell some people they have "little faith", they get all indignant and offended (which I believe often stems from pride), while when you tell other people they have "little faith", they accept the admonishment and try to grow from it.

That's me in a lot of areas; I believe. Help my unbelief.

murjahel · Mar 28, 2011

We all experience discouragement at times.

It leaves us feeling burned out,
wasted, like a light bulb that no longer shines,
or like a burned out building
that is only an empty shell now...

What is this thing called discouragement?

It is a state of fatigue and frustration
brought about by devotion to a cause,
to a way of life,
or to a relationship
that has failed to produce
the needed and expected results.

According to psychologist, Gary Collins,
discouragement is a feeling of physical
and emotional exhaustion that
often follows prolonged involvement with people.

Why do we get discouraged?

1. Many of us have a strong sense of mission.
The more we see serious purpose of life,
the more we'll battle discouragement.
The more we are committed to Christ
and the great commission,
the more we will battle discouragement
when we fail to see the results that we desire.

In the poem,
Hiawatha shot his arrow into the air
and then ran so fast the arrow fell behind him.
So likewise, sometimes our desires
outdistance what God is doing now.

This tends to make us discouraged.

2. Some Christians have high aspirations and expectations.
We set high goals.
We sometimes expect others to have
the same goals.
When they do not, we get discouraged.

3. We get overly involved.
We do not know how to say "NO".
We get active in church, school, work, family neighborhood ...
All this busy-ness leaves us exhausted and
leads to discouragement.

4. We fail to recognize our limitations.
So much needs to be done,
and there are so few to do it.
So, we take on the work of several...
We tend to think we are supermen,
with unlimited strength and abilities.

5. Some discouragement, or depression, is caused
by chemical imbalances. Sometimes these are easy to correct,
sometimes, it can be a struggle to find and control these
imbalances. Sometimes they are aggravated by the other
above causes coinciding with this imbalance.

There are many symptoms of discouragement.

The physical symptoms are:
fatigue,
loss of energy,
feeling tired and run down,
frequent headaches,
and a lack of sleep...

The emotional symptoms are:
low morale,
impatience,
frustration,
irritation,
criticism,
apathy,
depression,
boredom,
lack of enthusiasm...

The social symptoms are:
disillusionment with people,
withdrawal from others,
cynicism,
skepticism,
lack of communication,
aloofness...

The spiritual symptoms are;
feelings of emptiness,
spiritual dullness,
persecution complex,
lack of appreciation complex,
feeling unloved...

Does this sound like you?

Sure it does,
it sounds like most of us...

Does the fact that most, if not all,
of us face discouragement,
or depression, mean that we are
justifying it?
No...
we are to battle it..
we are to overcome it...

For some it is clinical, and a chemical
imbalance...
for some it may involve lack of sleep,
over strenguous life style,
for some it may be trying events,
loss, attack, etc...

So, how to fight it varies...

In all cases, of course, we need Jesus
to help...

'Come unto Me, all ye that labor,
and are heavy laden...'

Jesus expects us to do some other things
to care for the various causes..

The world's answers often are wrong...
so, speak to the Lord,
identify the cause,
plan appropriate response to depression...

JimB · Mar 28, 2011

probinson said:
*****

It does indeed baffle me why people find "comfort" in believing that God is expressly "permitting" bad things to happen to them

*****

And I think this is at the root of most of our disagreements. For some of us, God is involved in every aspect of our lives, in those things we consider bad as well as those we call good" because we trust that ALL things (the good, the bad, and the ugly) work together for what God calls (though not always what we call) good. We just need to understand what is really good and what is really bad. We often do not know the difference.

~Jim

probinson · Mar 28, 2011

JimB said:
And I think this is at the root of most of our disagreements.

I kind of agree. I'll explain further below.

JimB said:
For some of us, God is involved in every aspect of our lives,

I think we would all agree that God is "involved in" every aspect of our lives. I think where we disagree is what that "involvement" entails.

JimB said:
in those things we consider “bad” as well as those we call “good" because we trust that ALL things (the good, the bad, and the ugly) work together for what God calls (though not always what we call) “good.” We just need to understand what is really good and what is really bad. We often do not know the difference.

I dunno Jim... Personally, I think you've overcomplicated the remarkably simple concept of "good" and "bad" and taken it to a place where you can't really know if every "good" and "perfect" gift really does come from the Father of Lights.

I've used this example before, but it illustrates what I'm trying to say perfectly;

I was visiting a church one time, and a man stood up and testified that he was so thankful that God caused him to have a car accident, because while he was in the hospital, he was able to witness to the guy in the bed next to him and offer him salvation. IOW, he concluded that because something "good" resulted from the "bad", suddenly maybe it wasn't so "bad" after all.

But I don't see it that way at all. I do not believe that car accidents, along with any number of other bad things that happen in our lives here on this earth, are not mandated or caused by God. Most times, they are simply a result of our fallen world. I believe that this man was in a car accident (a "bad" thing) and I'm certain, because this man Loved God and was a shining light for Him, that Satan would have been thrilled if that car accident killed him. But God turned what was meant for evil for good. ALL things. Working together. For good.

THAT, I believe, is the crux of the difference in our beliefs. I believe that God is actively working in every aspect of our lives, taking those things that are meant to harm us, and turning them for good. Not some ethereal, undefinable concept of "good", but just plain good.

mrhappy3 · Mar 28, 2011

This debate got good..

Jesus Had The Cure For Depression & Other Ailments

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When I awake I am still with You

dies-l

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God is the Truth, not an opinion.

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