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Antidepressants, Anxiety, and Depression

Time magazine recently had a cover story on antidepressants. The article says there are 16 million depressed people, one third of whom do not respond to treatment with antidepressants. Another 6 million are anxious.

I will not dispute whether these facts are correct. I suspect that some of these depressed people, maybe many of them, are Christians.

The Thessalonian Christians were told to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks, for this was the will of God concerning them. Notice the three superlatives: always, without ceasing, in everything. These are not suggestions. They are commands.

We see the same thing said to the Christians in Philippi. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:4-8).

Notice the order: 1) rejoice always, 2) be anxious for nothing. If you are rejoicing always, it is easy to be anxious for nothing.

The next part is in everything, by prayer and supplication, make your requests known to God. notice again: always, nothing, everything, peace beyond all understanding.

The peace of God—not peace with God, but God’s peace which is beyond comprehension. It will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

This is a great preventative for depression and anxiety.

Happiness or depression are both based upon things that are happening or that you anticipate happening. Joy and peace are based upon your fellowship with God.

A Christian can and should follow the commands in these verses. But you first must confess as sin your anxiety and depression.

It is possible to rejoice always, or we would not have been told to do it. God would not command us to do something impossible.

The things that come before depression and anxiety are temptations of Satan. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (1 Cor. 10:13). This says that God gives you the power to resist any temptation.

If you give into temptation, it is sin like any other moral imperfection. It must be confessed as sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

If this does not make sense to you, let’s talk. Leave a comment below, email me at jimwilson27@frontier.com, or give me a call at (208) 882-4383.

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