Spiritual Depression: Symptoms, Causes, and Remedies

by Deb Toering, LPC, BCPCC, ADHD-CCSP

Deb Toering is a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor (BCPCC) in private practice at Trinity Family Counseling Center. In addition to working with a wide range of client populations and presenting issues, Deb is also an engaging public speaker. She has spoken in front of various groups across a range of topics including marriage, bullying, ADHD/ADD, and teen leadership.

Depression is a complicated human condition that surfaces at some point in most of our lives. Some of its roots are relationship problems, job loss, illness, death of a loved one, trauma, unresolved issues from the past, abuse, chemical or hormonal imbalance or lack of sleep, just to name a few. If depression is long-lasting or leads to thoughts of suicide, medical attention is necessary.
 
Many people seek out a Christian therapist because they know there can also be an added spiritual dimension to depression. Their prayers go unanswered or their expectations are not met which makes them feel disconnected from or abandoned by God. Does He care? They may have experienced abuse or hurts within their religious community. Does God see, and is He sovereign? There may be a loss of passion for worship, prayer or scripture reading, doubts or confusion about the nature of God along with a lack of joy and peace. Ebbs and flows in the Christian life are common to all believers, but depression can grow deep and dark if not addressed.
 
How Can a Christian Counselor Help?

IDENTIFY THE SOURCE

Oftentimes we are not even sure what is causing the depression. One reason might be hidden sin which keeps us at a distance from our Creator.
 
David, in Psalm 139:23-24, asks, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” If a source can be identified, it is easier to begin the healing process.

TALK ABOUT IT

Begin with talking through difficult emotions like anger, fear, disappointment, resentment, or loneliness. Having someone draw us out is helpful as we try to identify the problem.

EXAMINE BELIEFS

What do we believe about the nature of God, who are we in relation to Him, and what is He doing in the current circumstances? Explore the basis for those beliefs, and then examine them in light of the Scriptures. We see the Psalmist (Psalm 42:5) asking himself why his soul is cast down, encouraging himself to hope in God and praise Him: to keep turning his thoughts toward what God has said and who He is.

RENEWING YOUR MIND

If our minds are not transformed (Romans 12:2) by the Word of God, our thoughts can spiral downward into the pit of unbelief and despair. What we think about affects the way we feel and then how we behave. We are to delight in the truth, to meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2) and then speak it to ourselves until it begins to sink down into our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit.
 
D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, a prominent theologian and medical doctor, in his book Spiritual Depression, states, “we need to say, ‘I want the truth, whatever it costs me.’ Bind yourself to it, come into utter submission as a little child and plead with Him to give you clear sight, perfect vision and to make you whole.”

ACCEPT GOD’s GRACE

If our depression has its roots in past or current sin, we must acknowledge it, turn from it, and accept the grace and forgiveness of God. We are set free; the heavy load of guilt is lifted and we have peace with God! (1John 1:9)

FIND CONNECTION

Find other Christians you can be honest with. People who can pray for you, encourage you and hold you accountable. (Hebrews 10:25)

REST AND SELF-CARE

You may believe that this spiritual journey is too difficult. Yes, it takes discipline to make time to quiet ourselves enough to pray, to read the Word of God, to be diligent in the work of transforming your mind. But the good news is that we do not do any of this by our own efforts alone. The believer in Jesus Christ has been given the Holy Spirit; that same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. We have the promise in Phil 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
 
How we see God, ourselves, and our lives, what we think, and feel, and behave, all have an impact on our spiritual health. Why so downcast oh my soul? Put your hope in God. As a board-certified professional Christian counselor, I would be delighted to help you on your journey from despair to hope, helping you to fight when you do not know how, and walking along side you when you are too weary to put one foot in front of the other.

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