The sad news of Rick Warren's son's suicide has prompted me to write. I have always admired those who never seem to be troubled with depression. Of course, it could be that they are just good at hiding it. But for many it is a constant issue. It comes and goes. At times it stays way to long and that is scary.
I would like to say that we who claim to be Christian and maybe spirit filled are never depressed. I would like to say we live on an ever present high. Life is just great everyday. However, that is not true. I have had too many years of dealings with people as a pastor to know this is not the way it is.
Yes, God is always there. There is no doubt about that fact. However, it just seems that at times He is just too far away to influence us. Distance has developed for various reasons. We pray. We really do pray. We look for special passages in the Bible that may have something to say to us. We talk to friends or professionals. However, it just doesn't go away for very long.
The battle is real for us though others can't see it. We seem to fight ourselves. We struggle with doubt about our relationship with the Lord. We know Satan's goal is to keep us in this worthless state of mind. We blame others. Our spouse doesn't understand us. Children? Well, they are just children.
Rick Warren's son knew he was going to a better place and ask his father what was wrong with his just going on. He wanted to end the depression. The daily struggles were so wearisome. Finally, he could take no more.
What saddens my soul in all of this is the fact that we are talking about someone who was a genuine Christian. He loved the Lord. He served the Lord. He helped others. He did all things that we could expect a Christian to do. And yet, deep inside him, to deep for anyone to reach, he was hurting. Everyday it was there.
I wish in writing this I had some great answer to offer to bring this kind of suffering to an end. However, I do not have it. You might ask, "Do you as a pastor suffer from this kind of thing?" Yes, I have to be honest. I find myself playing the game of being happy all the time and having all the answers but that is just not true.
My faith in God is not weaken by these bouts of depression. My desire to help others is always there. I pray without doubting what God can do. I do all of these things. But, the struggle still comes. Depression is real. Believe me. It is real. I just have to tell you it is real.
I would like to say that we who claim to be Christian and maybe spirit filled are never depressed. I would like to say we live on an ever present high. Life is just great everyday. However, that is not true. I have had too many years of dealings with people as a pastor to know this is not the way it is.
Yes, God is always there. There is no doubt about that fact. However, it just seems that at times He is just too far away to influence us. Distance has developed for various reasons. We pray. We really do pray. We look for special passages in the Bible that may have something to say to us. We talk to friends or professionals. However, it just doesn't go away for very long.
The battle is real for us though others can't see it. We seem to fight ourselves. We struggle with doubt about our relationship with the Lord. We know Satan's goal is to keep us in this worthless state of mind. We blame others. Our spouse doesn't understand us. Children? Well, they are just children.
Rick Warren's son knew he was going to a better place and ask his father what was wrong with his just going on. He wanted to end the depression. The daily struggles were so wearisome. Finally, he could take no more.
What saddens my soul in all of this is the fact that we are talking about someone who was a genuine Christian. He loved the Lord. He served the Lord. He helped others. He did all things that we could expect a Christian to do. And yet, deep inside him, to deep for anyone to reach, he was hurting. Everyday it was there.
I wish in writing this I had some great answer to offer to bring this kind of suffering to an end. However, I do not have it. You might ask, "Do you as a pastor suffer from this kind of thing?" Yes, I have to be honest. I find myself playing the game of being happy all the time and having all the answers but that is just not true.
My faith in God is not weaken by these bouts of depression. My desire to help others is always there. I pray without doubting what God can do. I do all of these things. But, the struggle still comes. Depression is real. Believe me. It is real. I just have to tell you it is real.
haven;t been online for a month, this is really sad, teary eyed while reading this, don't know what to say. I agree with you Bro. Gerry, depression is REAL, it is indeed REAL.
ReplyDeleteJhunnelle