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Depression can have many degrees from very mild to very severe. Symptoms may vary from tiredness, apathy, avoidance of people and situations, and just feeling "down" to incoherent thoughts, inability to make decisions, and suicidal thoughts. Mild depression usually does not last long (a few hours to a few days) while severe depression can last for years. While this writing will focus on the more severe depression-that of having suicidal tendencies-- it can also be of help for any degree.

Serious depression is usually caused by a chemical or hormonal imbalance. God created our minds and bodies to require that the chemicals and hormones He made work together to pass some messages between nerve cells, and block other messages from passing to the next cell. If any of these chemicals are not present, or are present in a quantity smaller than what is necessary, the message will not get through or will only get partially through. In depression the chemicals that give nerve cells the message to "Go" or "Keep going" or "Do That" are depleted or absent. The degree of depletion determines the degree of depression. (In contrast anxiety results from depletion of chemicals that send the message to "Relax", Slow Down", "Take It Easy".) Usually this can be remedied by the proper medication which acts as a substitute for the chemical(s) and gradually builds up in the system to sufficiently pass the messages.

Let me say from the outset that it is absolutely necessary to be saved and be staying in the Word to get through serious depression. The inability to make decisions, sleep disturbances, incoherent thoughts, feelings of rage and anger that may surface feelings of being "out of control", apathy, guilt, suicidal desires, etc., require the supernatural help and power of God. A competent doctor and therapist are usually necessary, but they will not be available for you 24 hours a day 52 weeks of the year. You need to have a Person you can talk to anytime. His name if Jesus. His Word gives life, peace, power, forgiveness, freedom , direction, and whatever you may need. Not only will He give you the help you need, but He also understands what you're feeling and going through better than anyone else. Keep in mind He knew what you'd be thinking and feeling long before you did! Psalm 139 says "You know my thoughts from afar..." Tell Him exactly what you feel and what you're thinking. As you read you'll also see that people in the Bible experienced symptoms of depression! David and Job were very honest with God about what they were going through. God cares about you and will receive you with open arms. He is the perfect Father and will not condemn you or tell you shouldn't be feeling like that. He knows you perfectly and that includes knowing what you feel, why you feel that way, and how to help you get through it.

What is it that causes the chemical(s) to be out of balance? Most of the time it is anger and/or pain at someone or something that has not been dealt with. God did not intend us to continually keep anger/pain within ourselves and "just go on". Chances are it has been festering within you for some time (often many years) and has been wreaking havoc on you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Feeling angry is not a sin. (God experienced anger. The Old Testament records many times where God was so angry with his people that he wanted to destroy them. Jesus was angry with the merchants in the temple and chased them out with a whip. Feeling anger is a result of being made in his image.) Again, feeling angry is not wrong. The way you respond to it or deal with it may be. The Bible does not teach not being angry, but rather dealing with it appropriately. Ephesians 4:26 says "Be ye angry and sin not:" How do we deal with it the right way and keep it from festering? The Bible answer is that we are told to go and tell our brother if we have ought against him. Eg. "I felt angry when you said _______." It is necessary to talk about it. Going on without doing this, especially if prolonged and repeated, causes emotional struggles which become physical problems. You may forget about it but your subconscious does not. Until it is dealt with it will continue to surface periodically and wreak havoc until it is resolved.

Sometimes this occurs when a young child is violated or abused and threatened with harm if they try to tell someone. Again, it is crucial that this be talked about. If this applies to you, ask the Lord to help you find a caring, competent person to help you deal with it.

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