Where is God in Depression?

Depression has become increasingly prevalent. Recent statistics show that 80% of people will have at least one depressive episode in their lives. Some of the symptoms of depression are low mood, sadness and irritability; reduced pleasure or interest in daily activities; marked weight loss or gain with a change in appetite; significant changes in sleeping patterns; marked increase or decrease in movement; fatigue and loss of energy; feelings of worthlessness and guilt; difficulty concentrating and ideas of suicide or death

The experience of being depressed can spill over into our spiritual lives and cause us to feel that God is absent.

Because our thinking and feeling functions are distorted when we are depressed it can seem as though God has abandoned us just when we need him most.

Henri Nouwen writes, “Sometimes we experience a terrible dryness in our spiritual lives. We feel no desire to pray; don‟t experience God‟s presence…and even think that everything we ever believed about God… is little more than a fairy tale. Then it is important to realise that most of these feelings and thoughts are just feelings and thoughts. It is a great grace to be able to experience God‟s presence within our inner being, but when we don‟t it does not mean that God is absent.”

Often the painful experience of depression can be transformative even if it is only evident looking back on the experience. Part of that grace can be a growth in compassion for others. The theologian Moltman wrote “Only the person who has suffered can help other sufferers.” Jesus who experienced the depth of human suffering stays with us in our darkest moments. He does not leave us to suffer alone and understands the depth of our human anguish.

As Christians our hope is in the unconditional love of God revealed in the Resurrection. The Resurrection is not a promise that we will be spared suffering but it is a promise that we will not be abandoned. Like the disciples who did not immediately recognise Jesus after his Resurrection, the dawning of hope and new life may come gradually.

Like any form of suffering, depression will change us; it can leave us bitter or it can leave us stronger and more open. Although in the midst of depression it may feel as though we will never feel happy again the depression will eventually lift. What can we do while we wait for the depression to lift that may enable us to emerge from this painful experience stronger and more compassionate?
1. Remember that God holds the relationship when we are not able to.
2. Be patient and compassionate with yourself
3. Get physical exercise which can ease depression.
4. Seek professional help (therapy and medication if advised), especially if the depression is moderate or severe
5. Try keeping a journal of at least one thing each day that we are grateful for
6. It may be helpful to pray with the psalms of lament and the psalms of trust and hope.
7. You may want to ask for the Sacrament of the Sick as a source of consolation and healing.

To support someone who is depressed be patient and listen. They can‟t help the way they feel and they cannot just „cheer up‟ or „snap out of it.‟ In that place of pain we can provide a place of belonging and support in which we as community hold for the person the hope they may temporarily have lost, and the knowledge that God remains faithful.