I did after my daughter and son died. It still hits me sometimes, like today, the anniversary of my daughter's death. I can't believe it's been so long. I still miss them.
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If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
I don't think it's necessarily the kind and gentle. There just seems to be a personality type that tends toward melancholy.... that tends to see the glass as half empty. I think that personality type is more susceptible to depression.
I tended towards that as a teen, then I gave myself a good shake and forced myself to resist that tendency. I believe some people, though, have a genuine chemical imbalance that makes it something they can't just shake.
I've suffered from depression most of my life (I'll be 50 this summer). I've learned over the last 30 years, staying active is my total cure. If I let my active lifestyle wain, I slowly drift back into depression.
Staying active helps me stay fit and sleep well, which is important for depression. Many good things happen to the body during sleep. Insomnia only adds to the equation of staying depressed. Staying fit helps muscles to stay strong, keeping blood pressure under control, while preventing many other health ailments from getting in the way of living this life.
Also, going outside for exercise helps the body obtain vitamin D, which is proven to help depressed people.
I wouldn't say I never get depressed, but for the most part I'm hardly ever depressed anymore, and, with no drugs.
I'm not an expert, but I think depression (true "clinical" depression) is a result of a combination of things. Circumstances (loss of a loved one, family problems, etc.) are a factor, and there are medical/pathological factors. Maybe genetics play a role, I don't know.
In my case, I was severely depressed for many years, and it got worse as time went on. And in my own case (your mileage may vary! ), the most effective "cure" was leaving the Assembly of God church. It was virtually instant. But it wasn't 100% effective: even now, I still have bouts, but they are never as severe nor as frequent as they were before. If I hadn't left that church, I would very likely be dead by now. I'm not kidding. And again, I stress: YMMV (your mileage may vary)!
I must also add: the actual church I left was not overly strict, controlling, manipulative or any of that, with its pastor at the time. In fact, he and I are still good friends. He's an awesome person! (The previous pastor is another story.) It was the dogma that I had to get away from. The disconnect between the promise and reality was too much for me to handle.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I'm not an expert, but I think depression (true "clinical" depression) is a result of a combination of things. Circumstances (loss of a loved one, family problems, etc.) are a factor, and there are medical/pathological factors. Maybe genetics play a role, I don't know.
In my case, I was severely depressed for many years, and it got worse as time went on. And in my own case (your mileage may vary! ), the most effective "cure" was leaving the Assembly of God church. It was virtually instant. But it wasn't 100% effective: even now, I still have bouts, but they are never as severe nor as frequent as they were before. If I hadn't left that church, I would very likely be dead by now. I'm not kidding. And again, I stress: YMMV (your mileage may vary)!
I must also add: the actual church I left was not overly strict, controlling, manipulative or any of that, with its pastor at the time. In fact, he and I are still good friends. He's an awesome person! (The previous pastor is another story.) It was the dogma that I had to get away from. The disconnect between the promise and reality was too much for me to handle.
My overall health has improved since I left. I think a lot of my husband's and I's health issues have been related to the stress we were under.
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Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
I'm not an expert, but I think depression (true "clinical" depression) is a result of a combination of things. Circumstances (loss of a loved one, family problems, etc.) are a factor, and there are medical/pathological factors. Maybe genetics play a role, I don't know.
In my case, I was severely depressed for many years, and it got worse as time went on. And in my own case (your mileage may vary! ), the most effective "cure" was leaving the Assembly of God church. It was virtually instant. But it wasn't 100% effective: even now, I still have bouts, but they are never as severe nor as frequent as they were before. If I hadn't left that church, I would very likely be dead by now. I'm not kidding. And again, I stress: YMMV (your mileage may vary)!
I must also add: the actual church I left was not overly strict, controlling, manipulative or any of that, with its pastor at the time. In fact, he and I are still good friends. He's an awesome person! (The previous pastor is another story.) It was the dogma that I had to get away from. The disconnect between the promise and reality was too much for me to handle.
Timmy, what you say here is the sad truth. Church depresses people for many reasons, leading to horrific failure and an inner condemnation where mercy is only talked about, but never really applied.
The Church stands up and tells everyone to forgive the person who has failed, but in reality they are kicked to the curb as backsliders.
My wife and I were just discussing a phone call I received recently from an old friend. After about 15 years of being a literal icon in the Church, this man wound up in an adulterous affair, losing everything. His reputation, his job, his wife and 3 children, his place in the Church, and the people in the Church.
After a very careful observation, I told my wife, "The Church destroyed this man". The reason was simple. He came into the Church a deeply troubled person, spending many years in jail. He had a horrible drug problem and his baggage was beyond bad. (My wife and I knew him, growing up in the same town as him. If the Sherriff saw him walking down the street, they would pick him up and take him into the boonies and beat him to a pulp. He was that bad.) But, he came to Church and was "Born Again".
This led to the "Rags to Riches" story and the fanatical praise that we give those who have "Changed". Well, the Pastor began to use him behind the pulpit. He became a minister way too soon, IMO. He led the jail ministry. I was always trying to get him to go fishing or camping. Something besides just WORKING. But from my own experience, I know what happened. He couldn't say NO. It was God's Work. People expected him to perform; otherwise his glory bubble would pop.
It did pop, and now many years have passed and when he called me he was beyond broken. I personally feel that depression grappled this man down, but he internalized it. Fear kept it inside, so he trudged through another day until the kettle blew. The pressure was so great that carnage was everywhere when the top exploded.
Oh they can blame him, but God forbid the Church would admit, "We put too much responsibility and pressure on a man, and failed to allow him to express his heart in total honesty".
This is why Pastors fall. This is why many church people fall. We cover our depression with an emotional experience in Church, and don’t give enough attention to the doldrums of everyday living. We fail to tell people, say NO. Don’t do something just because everyone else is doing it. Be unique. Be different. If you sin, welcome to the crowd, yes, the CHURCH CROWD.
We tell people, let's break free of fantasy and embrace reality, and yet, the Church becomes the Fantasy.
Timmy, what you say here is the sad truth. Church depresses people for many reasons, leading to horrific failure and an inner condemnation where mercy is only talked about, but never really applied.
The Church stands up and tells everyone to forgive the person who has failed, but in reality they are kicked to the curb as backsliders.
My wife and I were just discussing a phone call I received recently from an old friend. After about 15 years of being a literal icon in the Church, this man wound up in an adulterous affair, losing everything. His reputation, his job, his wife and 3 children, his place in the Church, and the people in the Church.
After a very careful observation, I told my wife, "The Church destroyed this man". The reason was simple. He came into the Church a deeply troubled person, spending many years in jail. He had a horrible drug problem and his baggage was beyond bad. (My wife and I knew him, growing up in the same town as him. If the Sherriff saw him walking down the street, they would pick him up and take him into the boonies and beat him to a pulp. He was that bad.) But, he came to Church and was "Born Again".
This led to the "Rags to Riches" story and the fanatical praise that we give those who have "Changed". Well, the Pastor began to use him behind the pulpit. He became a minister way too soon, IMO. He led the jail ministry. I was always trying to get him to go fishing or camping. Something besides just WORKING. But from my own experience, I know what happened. He couldn't say NO. It was God's Work. People expected him to perform; otherwise his glory bubble would pop.
It did pop, and now many years have passed and when he called me he was beyond broken. I personally feel that depression grappled this man down, but he internalized it. Fear kept it inside, so he trudged through another day until the kettle blew. The pressure was so great that carnage was everywhere when the top exploded.
Oh they can blame him, but God forbid the Church would admit, "We put too much responsibility and pressure on a man, and failed to allow him to express his heart in total honesty".
This is why Pastors fall. This is why many church people fall. We cover our depression with an emotional experience in Church, and don’t give enough attention to the doldrums of everyday living. We fail to tell people, say NO. Don’t do something just because everyone else is doing it. Be unique. Be different. If you sin, welcome to the crowd, yes, the CHURCH CROWD.
We tell people, let's break free of fantasy and embrace reality, and yet, the Church becomes the Fantasy.
Boy, you said it.
__________________
Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it. ~Chinese Proverb
When I was young and clever, I wanted to change the world. Now that I am older and wiser, I strive to change myself. ~
), the most effective "cure" was leaving the Assembly of God church. It was virtually instant. But it wasn't 100% effective: even now, I still have bouts, but they are never as severe nor as frequent as they were before. If I hadn't left that church, I would very likely be dead by now. I'm not kidding. And again, I stress: YMMV (your mileage may vary)! 
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