Originally posted by Aaron:
The words "can be caused by" are misleading. The fact is no one can point to a specific medical cause for depression. That is the fact.
To the statement that the Spirit inspired Biblical authors just didn't understand some things: I reject wholesale the idea that the Holy Spirit may have misdiagnosed anything.
Aaron and all, there are several causes of depression which are very well understood: hormonal is one. The female hormones in birth control pills and the hormones released right after birth are both known to cause depression. In some cases, deep depression. The answer? If it continues in the case of post-natal depression, help the body come back into balance with chemical intervention. This usually is a very short-term need. In the case of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, either stop them altogether or moderate the dose as needed. Understanding that female hormones are not just prescribed for birth control, please understand that there is no sin involved in taking them.
At least I hope not! I had an emergency hysterectomy-appendectomy when I was 30 and have been on premarin .625 (a VERY low dose) for 25 years now. I was started on a higher dose and became both very grouchy and depressed. Moderating the dose (in my case, cutting it in half) resulted in me being me again as well as not needing to deal with what would have essentially been an early and severe menopause.
In the meantime, saying that no one can point to a specific medical cause for depression is approximately like saying no one can point to a specific medical cause for pain. Both statements are correct -- and both are wildly misleading. There is not one cause of either. There are multiple causes of both. Mentally, certainly depression can be the result of ongoing sin in a person's life. No one is disputing that or the cure -- which is repentance and the Lord.
In addition, however, we live in an age of chemicals, anesthetics, hormones, etc. Some types of allergies induce the production of certain chemicals which can result in profound depression! And the person tells his minister who proclaims that he needs to repent and turn to Christ. But no matter how much he repents and clings to the Lord, the depression deepens, or at least continues.
Until he finds out that the poison used by the pesticide man, or the addition of MSG to his favorite foods, or the dander on his pet dog -- or any one of a number of things -- has caused an allergy which has inspired his system to produce responsive chemicals which are throwing him out of whack emotionally as well.
No sin involved. No repentance needed. Removal of the allergen and some antihistamines can work wonders, though, and he will praise God for them!
Preach, your examples happen, but by selecting a few examples you are ignoring so much other stuff. Here is some real life stuff.
Two of my daughter's closest friends come from families where the parents fight consistently. Others of her friends come from divorces in the families, resulting in confusion, resentmen, anger, and such in the parents. These kids have had their foundation in life shaken to the core emotionally. A parent has left, or is always arguing with the other parent.
The kids' reactions? Often a quiet and pervasive depression. Their sin? They need to repent? No. They are reacting to their worlds being torn apart and/or dented and damaged each day. There is nothing they can do to remedy the situation. Nothing they can change.
Can Jesus heal them? Of course He can. But it's going to take a lot of time, and there will be scars. Kids can't go through this without them. And pain is pain, physically or emotionally. But they did not sin in this thing.
And this I will say without reservation: if a teen is close to suicide because of something like this, then for Pete's sake, save his life with chemical intervention if necessary, and THEN lead him or her to the Lord and walk alongside through the crisis and beyond.
I am praying fervently for not only compassion here, but understanding where so many families are concerned. Depression is pain. Find the cause of the pain and then go from there. Don't do the person in your family or who has come to you for help the giant disservice of presuming sin in their lives. Rule out the physical. Rule out chemical/hormonal exposure. Rule out a situation where they are feeling overwhelmed and helpless -- BEFORE you go charging in claiming sin and that repentance is needed.
These people are in deep pain. Don't cause them more.
