Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/26/07 07:11:26 AM |
Age 27, GA |
I'm not sure how I feel about this article.
I struggle heavily with anxiety/depression, and could see the place of drugs to help a person deal with life more rationally.
I have wrestled for a long time, often begging the Lord to take this thing away from me, or to clearly show me its cause.
I think there needs to be caution, as this is one person's experience.
Click here to reply to this post
|
- Re: Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/29/07 08:00:26 AM | | Age 40, NC |
Dear 27 in GA, My heart responded to your post and I prayed earnestly for you. I applaud you for thinking through this issue and for seeking God in your pain. I don't know if you're a mom or even female but just as a "next step", you might go to Titus2.com and read "Terri's Depression Mom's Corner. Terri Maxwell has posted an article there about her struggle with depression and the victory the Lord helped her to achieve. I have found it to be very well-balanced, non-judgemental, scriptural, and helpful. Please also see my other posting in regard to understanding God's character. I wish I could do more to come alongside you but I hope this little bit will be an encouragement to you. Don't give up. Your desire to deal with this and the prompting I felt to pray for you is evidence of the Holy Spirit working on your behalf. Keep up the good fight!
Click here to reply to this post
Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/26/07 05:35:16 AM |
Age 43, NE |
Living in the world today and not being of it, we need to always confess our sins and not cover them up by other things. I confront someone of sin today and they say I am too negative! I need to be more tactful! now this hurts because alot of the time they want just thier ears tickled. But I go on and Keep looking at were I go wrong and fall so short, sin is I believe those foxes that try to spoil the vine.I know that is what Jesus was saying in scripture, But Be so grateful you can go to A church and people will tell you of Thier sin,I cannot even find one they just want to say it is okay Jesus loves you and go on,sin is not okay in our lives we need to deal with it as it comes up and I am so grateful that your eyes were finally open and keep moving forth.It is not about me it is about Jesus and that is were our true happiness lives.Jesus oh how wonderful he is.
Click here to reply to this post
|
Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/24/07 10:56:48 AM |
Age 52, FL |
What a wonderful testimony! Sometimes too a person will put up a wall between them and the Lord. They run from the Lord because of guilt and condemnation by other Christians. They never let you forget. They assasinate your character. I know because I experienced this. These were people I loved. They were in authority over me. I am only now beginning to realize how compassionate and kind my Lord is. The truth He brings to my heart is given with such grace and kindness. The walls are coming down and am getting close to the Lord again. I have had to forgive them. I realize now in those days what my sin was. It was anger. Anger and frustration because I did not know how to talk to people without losing my temper. The Lord is teaching me by His Spirit how to walk and be with others. His wonderful grace gives me the strength to accomplish it.
Click here to reply to this post
|
Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/23/07 09:35:55 PM |
Age 60, MO |
Upon reading this letter, one could be led to believe that mental stress, disorder or depression is a result of unrepentant sin. In some cases it may be so, but not in others. Trusting in God will reduce anxiety but not eliminate it, even in the best of us. The use of antidepressants or any psychotropic drugs is dangerous: they often remove symptoms but not the root cause of the problem. There seems to be a push by the pharmaceutical companies in the last two decades to claim biological cure for mental illness. They are no replacement for psychoanalysis however. Most psychological hangups are a result of repressed anger--especially depression. Repenting of the anger works wonders, compared to trying to sort out the details of past traumatic experiences. George Cancilla
Click here to reply to this post
|
Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/23/07 06:23:27 PM |
Age 30, KY |
Thanks for this article. I gave birth 4 weeks ago, and have always been distrustful of antidepressants, but I've been dealing with some post-partum depression. When my doctor saw how weepy I was, she advised antidepressants, and I began wondering if I should take them for a short time. It didn't occur to me that they might short-circuit my conscience's ability to move me to repentance, and it didn't really occur to me that the (or a) source of my depression may be sin (in addition to the very real hormone imbalances). This essay helped me to see clearly the right answer is to avoid the drugs, as I must get sin (anger, impatience, etc.) out of my life, and allow God to help me through the hormone issues. Thanks again.
Click here to reply to this post
|
- Re: Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 07/01/07 02:04:42 AM | | Age 47, ITALY |
So happy about your baby, but one word of warning about your depression. I cannot even start describing my life here, but I ended up with 10 years of depression which almost cost me my marriage and my life, because I wouldn't realize it after my first baby.
A homeopath helped me see it and cure it... if you don't want drugs you can find natural remedies, but don't underestimate it because it grows on you and you don't even realize it. Be careful!
Click here to reply to this post
- Re: Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/29/07 11:16:49 AM | | Age 42, AL |
Dear New Mother, congratulations on the birth of your baby. What a blessing! My response is not necessarily related to the topic at hand but to you personally. I noticed your statements regarding post-partum depression and just instantly felt I needed to reply. Of course you must (as we all must) go before our Lord and ask Him to show you any possible unrepented-of sin. That's a given. But I thought I needed to share with you something else. Post-partum depression is often very likely caused by a huge drop of progesterone (a female hormone) after a woman gives birth. During pregnancy your progesterone levels are sky high and then they drop down hugely after delivery, because your body doesn't need to retain the placenta in your womb anymore. As a result your estrogen levels are relatively higher and there is no good balance between the two.
I strongly suggest you do some research on Natural Progesterone. I am not talking about Progestin, or Provera which are synthetic progesterone wannabees. There are creams available that contain natural progesterone derived from the wild yam. Using such a natural progesterone cream can bring a woman's levels back to normal balance. Dr. John Lee has done years and years of research on women's health especially related to hormone balance. His website will provide you with more information: www.johnleemd.com He has written some excellent books on hormone balance. Ask your doctor to do a saliva (not blood or urine) test for your progesterone level. You might have to pay for it but it's worth it. Talk with your doctor about using natural progesterone cream; or at least get educated about it. You might not be able to use it while nursing.
Post-partum blues are not in your head; they may very well be caused by the huge change in your body after you gave birth. Of course, it is also possible that those levels will return back to normal without aid. Regardless, I would want to be informed regarding this topic.
Our Lord's blessings upon you and your precious baby! I'm praying for you! :)
Click here to reply to this post
- Re: Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/29/07 09:00:00 AM | | Age 38, FL |
If you have post-partum depression, *please* let your doctor help you. This has NOTHING to do with sin in your life! Many millions of women go through exactly what you are going through right now. I was one of them. You are not bad, you are not a sinner, you are not letting God down if you get help for your post-partum depression. I beg you to allow you doctor to help you through this time, and it will only be a short time. Pregnancy often causes hormonal imbalances that lead to MANY physical problems such as diabetes, autoimmune disease, and thyroid disease to name a few. We would GLADLY accept medication to cure those problems caused by our pregnancy. Please don't make yourself and your child suffer because of ONE WOMAN'S opinion here. Her opinion is NOT equal to scripture, and God will not leave you or forsake you for getting the help you need. Please make a decision based on what YOU NEED, not what someone on this website thinks you need.
Click here to reply to this post
Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/23/07 05:10:38 PM |
Age 38, FL |
There are MANY physical conditions that cause depression, panic attacks and other symptoms such as this. Two conditions that millions of women have in America are hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency. Both of these conditions can cause severe depression, fatigue, panic attacks, and other symptoms which are NOT spiritual in nature, they are totally PHYSICAL!!! For years I thought I was a BAD CHRISTIAN because I lacked faith which caused lots of fear. It turns out that I just had hashimoto's thyroiditis which had developed into thyroid cancer. Ladies, if you need your medication, you SHOULD TAKE IT. Also, please have your thyroid levels checked!
Click here to reply to this post
|
- Re: Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 07/02/07 09:39:38 AM | | Age 28, TX |
YEs, yes, so true. My mom and my MIL were absolute witches before starting on hormones. They were also suicidal. They are much better now.
Sarah
Click here to reply to this post
Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/23/07 01:43:33 PM |
Age 55, NM |
Jim. Fortunately, or not, this comment has nothing to do with you, except maybe your recognition of the value of this information. Please inform this woman that at least some portion of your readership thinks that this is one of the most pertinent and concise dialogs, apart from scripture, given concerning these subjects: sin, repentence and forgiveness. I have never been into mind-altering drugs in a big way, but realizing that drugs like anti-depressants are a billion dollar industry, just in this country, may explain the great 'falling away' from the things of God, in a country originally founded on christian belief, and for several hundred years, a major exporter of bible-based belief systems. As you know, we have become a nation of lukewarm selfseekers, who have slowly rejected God in most aspects of public life. Isn't it amazing how accurate the Word of God is? How this 'sin of witchcraft', this 'pharmacy', has become a global factor in the governments of this world? That, the use of pharmacy, now seems to be one of the main exports of America. Please give this woman my thanks, and thank you for making the article available. I'm going to save it for future reference.
Click here to reply to this post
|
- Re: Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/29/07 07:41:41 AM | | Age 40, NC |
Exactly. You make an excellent point. In reading through the responses to this article it becomes apparent that people really TRUST in the medical profession and the pharmacies producing the medications. There is good reason to tread with more caution than we do and I would encourage everyone to look into what you're saying. Got any recommended reading?
Click here to reply to this post
- Re: Re: Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/30/07 12:02:08 AM | | Age 55, NM |
Yes, I do have access to some amazing, spirit filled resources. Let me say this; God's promises don't start in the new testament. Jesus the Christ did NOT come and start a whole new system of things. He came to clarify and personify the GOD who does not change. The ONE who was crucified from before the foundation of the world. He set up a system of rules and regulations for His creation from the beginning. He stated plainly in HIS WORD, speaking to man, do what I command and life will be heavenly, but if you reject my word, life will be hell on earth. (my paraphrase) I said all that to make this point: one of the commandments mentioned over and over is JOY!! Joy in ME. Delight yourself in ME. But even apart from that, how can a believer be depressed? What does he believe in? This false pretense that has been accepted in the modern 'christian' organization as 'believe and receive eternal life', in the Word of God was DO, and FOLLOW and LIVE THE SAME WAY. AS THE CHRIST. It would take you quite a long while to read all references to the blessing bestowed on a person for keeping the commandments of GOD. And it is not like God has to monitor every persons actions to fulfill these words. God's laws are just other natural laws like gravity, that humans have not accepted. We sin, negative things happen as a result. We do good, positive things happen. What we call God's law, the Torah, is more correctly called 'instruction', and it comes from a loving father. We cannot neglect these 'natural' laws and expect life to be peachy dandy. I am not sure if I should post what I called some of the amazing resources here, but you can email me for any and all help I can give. Lonnie at
ajo1@zianet.com
Click here to reply to this post
Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/23/07 12:40:30 PM |
Age 63, OH |
Jim this is the best thing I have ever read from you. You are to commended for putting this on the site. This is a very spiritual article and is the truth. I was really depressed years ago and went to doctors. They told me I was depressed(I knew this before I went) and prescribed medications. I read the scriptures and was aware that the Bible says drugs are the same as the sin of witchcraft. So I turned to The Lord Of Healing Jesus Christ and He has healed me. Whatever the problem, Jesus Christ is THE answer. He can lead us to a doctor or lead us from a doctor. Lou
Click here to reply to this post
|
Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/23/07 07:27:00 AM |
Age 49, IN |
Anti-depressants DO NOT keep me from grieving over my sin. Many in depression are unable to believe and recieve God's forgiveness upon repentence. Are literal tears and constant weeping a subtle form spirirual pride? "we're more righteous because we grieve more". The Apostle Paul is a shining example of one who knew and grieved over the depth of his sin and yet proclaimed forgiveness and the attendant joy. We think nothing of going to the doctor for "merely physical" things and excoriate those who shun all medicine in the name of "having faith".(and rightly so) Yet when it comes to mental conditions we are chided to have the same such faith.
Click here to reply to this post
|
- Re: Re: Anti-depressants and Spiritual Conviction
| Posted On: 06/29/07 08:41:23 AM | | Age 27, OK |
I think this article has some merit, but I would like to point out that depression is an illness and it should be treated. When you are depressed you can not think clearly and rationaly. I have delt with depression since I was a teen and most of the time without medication. After I became a christian, I let articles such as this one influence me to stop taking my medicataion. This lead to a downward spiral that lead suciadal thoughts, actions that hurt my family, and all the while I tried to hide how much pain I was in. I sought counceling, and was prescribed antidepressants. Finding the right medication is key. My current medication does not stop me from feeling. I know what sin is. I know when I have sinned, not just from feeling but because I know what the bible says.
I think the key thing is to remember to seperate true depression from "feeling down". Depression may be over diagnosed, and doctors may prescribe antidepressants a little to quickly, but this doesn't mean that antidepressants are bad. If I were not on the medication, I would not be able to think rationaly. Thinking rationaly is key to uncovering the reasons (other than chemical) for my depression. My counseling (and the bible) are teaching me retrain my thinking.
However- I will add this. During the depths of my depression, I cried out to God to heal me. I couldn't see any good that could come from my depression. Fast forward, months later, I am able to feel other peoples pain, When they are depressed, I can understand how they feel. I can befriend them, and pray for them.
God can use all things for his Glory.
Click here to reply to this post
|
|
|
