Monday, September 22, 2008

Video on Depression

If you prefer to read a shorter version of this post, you can read excerpt from "Mission4Monday : Video on Depression".

Dear Friends,

Thanks for stopping by this Mission 4 Monday post.

I am thankful to God that I can continue to serve Him through this blog.

One of the missions of my blog is to share with others God's goodness and mercies to me in managing clinical depression and bipolar disorder, as well as to share resources that will benefit a person with a mood disorder and information for their family and loved ones.

Today, I like to share this video on "Depression - A Stubborn Darkness" by Edward T Welch posted on YouTube.

This short and moving video on depression sheds some light on depression and it's impact upon the sufferer and his loved ones.

Many mistakenly think that depression is purely of a spiritual nature and is due to a person's lack of trust in God. While others may treat those with depression and mental illness as if they are mad people. But in reality clinical depression is a very common mental illness due to chemical imbalance in our brain and relapses can be triggered off by various reasons. It is a medical condition that can be treated just like diabetes.

Too often Christians misunderstood that all depression are due to spiritual reasons or lack of faith in God. But there is a difference between spiritual depression and clinical depression. Spiritual depression may occur when we sinned against God or do not believe in Him or put our trust in Him. But clinical depression is very different and it is a real medical condition that can be treated and needs to be treated. It is different from the occasional "blues" or "depress" feeling that we get every now and then, which we get over quickly. Clinical depression is more severe and prolonged, and cannot be willed or wished away. Thank God that He has provided various medical and other means for us in this generation, so that we can be more functional.

If you are a Christian and you are suffering from prolonged clinical depression, you will likely have to cope with false guilt. I encourage you to read the messages of Dr David P Murray on "Depression and the Christian" and you will find much encouragement and help.

Clinical depression is a medical condition that can be treated. I hope you will seek help besides praying to God.

Know that you are not alone and we can find comfort in God and His Word while we await His restoration through His Words and the various means He has made available for us in this generation.

Hope this short video will bring some comfort to you if you or your loved ones are suffering from depression.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5825004682085410590



Other related posts:

1. Trust during rough times
2. Finding meaning in a life with bipolar disorder
3. Mental illness (depression, bipolar disorder, etc) is an illness like any other

For more Mission 4 Monday posts, visit Peggy.

Thanks again for stopping by! Thanks for all your prayers and encouragements!

Take care and God bless :)

If you prefer to read a shorter version of this post, you can read excerpt from "Video on Depression".

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nancie,

I'm positive your blog blesses many and helps those who secretly suffer from depression feel better about reaching out to others and that they are not alone.

As a daughter of a parent who suffered with this illness her whole life and knows the pain she went through - I am so touched by your love for others!

Now I only pray she finds a personal relationship with Jesus.

Thank you for joining me in prayer for her and my family.

Lots of love and blessings,
Jill

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancie, there is something on my blog for you... :)

Anonymous said...

Nancie,

What a beautiful and encouraging post you shared today. As always, I come away from spending time with you a more encouraged and richer person.

May the Lord bless you today. Happy Monday, Nancie!

Anonymous said...

Nancie, I forgot to comment on the video. An excellent 4 minutes spent on depression and God's Word especially the struggle even in Psalms!!! Have you ever read Edward T Welch's book "Depression: A Stubborn Darkness". I appreciate that he says depression needs to be seen as a "suffering" so the passages in God's Word can help!

I do not like, however his 5 causes
of suffering! I have always found it hard to believe that God send sufferings. That's exactly what the non believers use against Our Loving God! I know God allows it as He did with Job but I do not want to accept that HE sends suffering!

I appreciate even though I disagree
having had the chance to view this & see the list of many available on this topic. For the most part, this video was done very lovingly and with good information. Thank you!

Nancie said...

Jill, thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I am thankful to God that I can serve Him through this blog by sharing His goodness as well as resources He has provided for me to cope with my mood disorder. I am remembering your mum and family in prayers. May your mum come to know the Lord Jesus Christ savingly and know His love, mercies and comfort. Take care!

Jena, thank you! I will check out your blog soon.

Debra, thank God that you are helped! May the Lord bless you too!

Peggy, thanks for your sharing. I have not read the book before. I too think that God allows suffering for His sovereign purposes and He works even through suffering for our good and His glory. Suffering, pains, sicknesses, deaths, etc are all part of a fallen world since the day Adam fell. As sinners living in a fallen world, we are afflicted in various ways just like everyone else. Thank God that He has redeemed us by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and He is with us through all the changing scenes in life. We can know more and more of His mercies, grace and love as we draw nearer to Him each day in all our afflictions. He is our refuge and strength, and His grace is sufficient for us because He has loved us with an everlasting love. All things in this world is temporal including our life. But because of what our Lord has done for us in giving His own life for us on the cross, we can have the blessed hope of being with Him forever in eternity where there is no more pains, sufferings, sicknesses, tears, etc. What a blessed hope! Meanwhile, may God grant us grace to run this race patiently, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. Thanks for all your encouragements! Take care!

Anonymous said...

Blessings Nancie...my first comment lost in cyberspace or who knows where
was really the most valuable because it spoke on your inspiring words! I'm
sure I will not be able to do as well but I will attempt to capture the essence.

First off, thank you so much for being a faithful participant and contributor to Mission4 Monday. The Mission you share is a much needed
one in our world, society & among Christians, who suffer many times in silence of guilt, shame & lies.

Thank you for taking the time to care about explaining and sharing the truths on depression. It blesses me greatly that you clearly state that it is a treatable illness just like any other medical condition. It is a truth that sets me free.(my other comment went into better detail of this).

I'm thankful that you pointed out that there is a difference ina clinical depression and a spiritual one and that not all depression has a spiritual root but a physical one.

I so appreciate the clearness that your mission teaches us as it breaks myths & stigmas in society about mood disorders, mental illnesses and bipolar disorder. You expose the unhealthy lies that many believe and with care & concern you encourage us. You show us how to be MORE than a Conqueror over our illness so we can be functional people that contribute to society ingeneral and the church!

You show by example and living your life experiences as a light to assist us, no matter what our problem. You pray and encourage many and I pray that all of these
people will be here for you when you need encouragement, you be sure to let us know when you have specific needs also! Your sharing
of clinical depression gives us HOPE! You offer the love of Jesus
& our hope in Him always. Your sincere, positive approach enables us to look and seek the help we may need from God and medical. You offers excellent resources & you are a genuine Christian! I have been touched deeply by your mission and you & your mission are a great personal ministry that reaches me
for sure! You definitely are accomplishing your mission of your blog & Mission4Monday! I pray that all needing this wisdom will be led here and encounter as I and others have a place where we do not feel alone but understood and very blessed. You share Jesus! Thank you! May God bless and pour back into you as you pour out to many!

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancie, hope you are having a good week so far. Thank you for sharing this. It's really very insightful and informative.

I have an award for you. Thank you for being such an inspiration!

Have a blessed day!

Nancie said...

Peggy, thanks for your many kind words of encouragements! I give all praise and glory to God Who is sustaining me and enabling me to serve Him through this blog. God bless you abundantly as you serve Him and encourage others!

Serendipity, hope you are having a great week too! Thank you for the award! So kind of you. May you have a blessed day too.

Kass said...

Nancie,
Ed Welch is awesome. I have had the opportunity to meet with the counselors that he works with at the Christian Counseling Education Foundation just outside of Philadelphia. I have read his other book, When People Are Big & God Is Small, and it's very good. It's a book I'd highly recommend. It deals with fear and making people bigger than God.