Some of the causes of Christian depression are outlined in the yellow box below. Because the Christian feels hopeless and helpless, unable to forgive, depression instead of hope often rules.
Listen to: ”Higher Ground”
Let me share a story with you to address this question. A friend’s surgical story. I have a lovely friend, mother of five boys, whose youngest son at 18 months old was diagnosed with cancer. He had a large tumor around his cheekbone that needed surgically removed. The doctors recommended her son see the best pediatric oncology surgeon available, and of course, she along with her husband and son made the long trip away from their hometown to meet with this surgeon. She was surprised that the surgeon was so matter-of-fact and distant, cold and seemingly uncaring as they met together to discuss the prognosis for this young child. Weeks later weeping as they watched their baby carted off to the surgery suite, she and her husband prayed fervently while the doctors extracted the cancerous tumor. After the surgery, she noted the doctor’s bedside manner changed radically. She found him exceedingly concerned, loving, and relieved as he offered vigilant post-operative care.
Likewise, at the beginning of our distress while we undergo heart-breaking circumstances, it may seem to us that our Surgeon, the great Healer, is not at all concerned with establishing a good bedside manner with us, metaphorically speaking. He seems distant and uncaring. Why? My surgical story. Looking back on the process God took me through as I was learning how to forgive, I see now with hindsight that He knew that the “cancer” within me (bitterness, hatred, self-pity), if left untreated, would kill my soul and rob me of a vibrant Christian life. Metaphorically, at the beginning of my heart-breaking circumstances, He took me to the surgical suite as the first step in addressing my pain. What needs surgery in your life? When we are wronged, God first deals head on with the cancers bent on destroying us, so later we can deal courageously with our justifiable anger at the one whose sin affected us or is still affecting us so deeply. What needs His surgical touch in your life? Heart-and-Soul Surgery: Circumcision of the Flesh.
Purpose of Soul Surgery: Hope of Reconciliation. With this hope—that you are being prepared to be a minister of reconciliation through the trying circumstances and emotional upheaval you are experiencing—consider how forgiveness affects you by reading the next article in this series: Propitiation and Forgiveness.
must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? I trust in your unfailing love;
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