This past week, I asked the people in my small group to pray for me, because while most people see me and I appear to always be up and ready for anything, the reality is that I am sometimes facing and fighting depression! I have not been clinically diagnosed, but I know myself pretty well and I know the symptoms. Every person handles it differently and there are a lot more people suffering with depression than realize it and are willing to admit it.
This should not really be a surprise to anyone that knows anything about pastors that love God and love people. Our love drives us to the very edges and sometimes over the edge in an attempt to show and prove that love!
In the September/October 2000 edition of Physician Magazine, Dr. Walt Larimore, vice president of medical outreach at Focus on the Family, along with Rev. Bill Peel reported, “surveys indicate that 80 percent of pastors and 84 percent of their spouses are discouraged or are dealing with depression. In addition, more than 40 percent of pastors and 47 percent of their spouses report that they are suffering from burnout.”
The truth in my life is this: The only thing that keeps me going a lot of days is my relationship with God through Jesus Christ! I would have thrown my hands up and quit life a long time ago, if it wasn’t for the sustaining power and amazing grace of God that continually flows into and through my life.
Here are some steps that I am taking as I seek to allow God to heal me and give me victory:
1.) Admission is the first step to real healing! If you don’t admit and acknowledge that you have a challenge, then you cannot really overcome and experience victory! Just my getting it out, so that my family and friends know it and having the knowledge that they are praying for me, makes a huge difference! It is not the only thing, but it is a very important thing! It lets me and them know – I am not Jesus, just simply one of His servants and that’s okay!
2.) Unloading The Truck Is Important! When I talk with people who are living in frustration or depression, one of the things that I will encourage them to do is “unload their truck” by just getting out of their system and off their shoulders all that is bothering them! This is hard for ministers, because we can’t do this with just anyone. This is why it is very important to invest some time in building some trusting relationships with people who will allow you to unload your truck. This is hard work, but well worth the effort in the long run and it’s the long run that matters!
3.) Make time for physical exercise! Repeated studies have shown that cardiovascular exercise is very beneficial, because it boosts the level of serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter that regulates mood. Most of us do not think we have the time to exercise and if something has to be cut from the agenda, then this is usually what gets cut. We cannot minister effectively and powerfully, if we don’t take care of ourselves. Make the time even when you don’t see or feel the value. Physical exercise is working inside and out for your healing!
4.) Rest And Family Matter More Than You Realize! Most of us ministers do not know how to rest and relax. Our heart, spirit and mind tend to get stuck in the on position! Even when we are sitting in a chair or laying in bed, it does not mean that we are resting. And when we are spending a little time with family and should be relaxing, we are often doing everything, but relaxing! This is something that we have to retrain ourselves to do! When you are in a chair, in the bed or spending time with family, you have to make yourself think about doing it right and not on auto-pilot! God gave you rest and family, so that you could be replenished with the good stuff of relaxation and relationship. Don’t miss what God gave you!
5.) Spiritual Discipline Has To Be More Than The Motions! I saved this one for last, because this is one that we can fool ourselves into believing that we have taken care of! Just because you are going through the motions, does not mean that you are doing anything of significance for yourself or the Kingdom. Make sure that your devotion time with God is about your growing in relationship with Him. There is nothing that can give you what this gives you!
You may not consider yourself to be a minister, but these five steps will help you, if you take them. Let’s take these steps together and be amazed at where God takes us!
Michael Joe Harvell 
Thank you, MJ. You knew I needed this one. I’ve got work to do!!!! G3
Most all of us do – if we are honest!
Wow! It’s really nice to know that you are human too! You see some ppl take depression as a failure.. It’s not.. I have been clinically diagnosed with depression. I have been on meds and off.. Love is what sends me over the edge. I love unconditionally and expect the same. When that didn’t happen, I hit bottom.. I usually pull away from ppl or get really nasty.. I am also going through menopause as well.. For the last 6 months I have worked and prayed really hard for Gods help and forgiving those who have hurt myself and my family. I have enven taking steps that I thought I’d never take. Saying sorry to someone for believing the lies I had been told for years about a person that I really didn’t know. Just knew I didn’t want to be a mom like her! Tried to be a good mom to my step children and not sure thats what they want. So deeper and deeper it went. I am not ashamed at all that I have had issues with depression.. I am not on meds for it anymore. I take heath food supplements for my menopause. I am building my relationship daily with God and building better relationships with my wonderful husband and children and doing better then I would imagine.. I have stopped being what “other” ppl want be to be and being who God wants me to be.. ME!!! Depression is not fake, it’s very real, we are here to help eachother through all.. I have done research and MJ you are right, excerise helps and so does, I don’t want to “upset anyone” but intimate relations send off endofins that help with depression. With your spouse and married. Just making it clear!! Praying for you always and you and get through this as well.. As you have said to me MANY times, give it to GOD… I wasn’t worthy and he helped me.. What an Awesome God we serve!!! we love you and yours!! JL
G3!
Thanks for touching on a topic that is very uncomfortable for a lot of people.
I deal with depression on a daily basis. I’ve gone the full route – counseling, medication, etc.
There are a few things that I do want to make sure get mentioned.
1. If you think you may be suffering from depression or if you are a family member of one who might be suffering, in attention to talking with your pastor – seek medical attention.
2. Counseling – look for a Christian counselor. Be VERY careful and selective with the counselor you choose. Referrals from others and from pastors are good sources. Counseling is key b/c this person can help you assess the situation from an independent, third-party point of view. It is hard to be accurately assess the where you are when you are in the middle of it.
3. Medication – You may need medication. In my case, it’s necessary because of a chemical imbalance – thanks to genetics. That is ok. That is nothing to be ashamed of. If it’s necessary, it’s necessary. It’s no different than insulin for diabetes or blood pressure medicine.
Thanks again for this timely topic.
Thanks Greg! Very good advice – I think it’s very important that we stop trying to hide it! Admit it, get help with it and enjoy this life that God has blessed us with!
Art and I just want you to know that we are praying for you, and we love you brother.
Thank you both so much! Your prayers are very important and a great blessing to me! I also want the four of you to know that I am praying for all of you! Four = I am adding Holly and Jennifer!
Praying for you, MJ!!
G3
Thanks! And guess what? I am praying for you too!
Depression is not fun! You put on that happy face that others expect, when inside you are trying not to burst into tears. I know this firsthand. There are days that I don’t want to go anywhere, do anything, and not talk to anyone. Thankfully I have found a doctor that is not only a Christian, but he has helped me through medication. In addition to the medication, for me, a routine is very important. I keep a list of things to do so that I stay focused. Part of my routine is going outside to not only “exercise” but to also soak up a few rays of sunshine. Sunshine is good for the physical body and Sonshine is good for spiritul well being. I know the days that I fall off the routine wagon. But with God’s help and a loving family support system I get through the bad times.
I will commit to praying for those of us that suffer from this disease.
PLEASE…I have had two people very close to me and to my family that have taken their own life. DON”T go there. If you feel this way, find help. Find that counselor, doctor, someone that can help you!
Thanks for sharing Joy! And I hope that readers of this blog know that we are a community that cares! We can get through this life and it really is better when we do it together!