God promises to heal the brokenhearted. He promises to bind up your soul’s wound. He may use friends, family, therapists, or counselors. He may bring healing directly in answer to prayer. But God does not leave you alone. He comes alongside you to comfort and restore. In fact, one of His most healing remedies may be the painful “gift” of depression.

God’s Gift?

It may surprise you to read that some Christian psychologists view depression as a gift from God. When you are depressed, your range of emotions shrinks. Your highs aren’t as high, and your lows aren’t as low. You become numb toward life. Disinterested. You pull back from activities. You hunker down and lick your wounds.

Almost like the soul’s equivalent of going into shock, depression conserves energy and life. It is a God-given mechanism to buy time for healing. It creates a quiet space in which you can receive grace from God and others. Don’t fight your depression. Don’t deny it when it comes. Quiet your life, and move toward God and a life-giving community.

Bottom Line

Depression hurts, but God deepens us and heals us through it. When you’re low, don’t give up. Turn to God and others for help.