Recently I read a blog post from a local pastor who explained his support for Christians taking anti-depressants. This tends to be a "hush-hush" subject in the church today as so many are divided on this and see it as a private matter. I didn't fully agree with this pastor's stance but did spark a topic of discussion between me and my husband last night....
Before I begin sharing my thoughts, I want to be clear to say that I am NOT comparing my journey or experience with others. Everyone has their own obstacles, battles and processes, I simply hope to encourage.
Although, I do not feel the freedom to share my full testimony on this post, I will say that I myself have dealt with pretty severe anxiety. I was diagnosed with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and know that I have triggers from that which often cause my anxiety attacks. My anxiety has been a very real struggle for me. There are times in my life when I have used medication to help me cope during difficult times when I knew circumstances were much more weighty and I could feel the anxiety creep in and knew I needed some tangible help. I personally feel in no way, shape or form that it is "wrong" or "sinful" to take such medication, because I know how real these feelings can be and its not exactly something that you can just turn off.
What I do ultimately believe about these type of illnesses is that they are an assignment from the enemy on believers. These attacks are filled with depression, anxiety,worry, fear, bondage and brokenness. Throughout the Bible we find that life with the Lord is promised to be one of JOY, PEACE, FREEDOM, CONTENTMENT and WHOLENESS!! This is not to say we will not struggle because we do and we will...its inevitable. But, the encouragement I find is that we don't have to stay that way! We have a covenant right to wholeness as believers! Jesus did not just die on that cross to save us but to give us an ABUNDANT life!! Life with Christ is not promised to be easy-far from it-but even in the worst of circumstances, I can still experience his JOY and PEACE no matter what comes our way because we have the victory! We are sons and daughters of the King who defeated death, hell and the grave....depression, anxiety, fear, worry, despair, hopelessness, etc.
Freedom from these things are ours for the taking! It is a journey...and some may find that they do need medication at times in their process-and that is ok! I have not found myself at a place where I can say I am walking in full freedom but it gets easier and easier the more I strive for the Lord to make me whole! I am finding more freedom in each step and you can too!!!
I saw a client recently at CPC who was dealing with severe depression-found herself suicidal at times and sleeping for days at a time because she was overwhelmed with feelings of despair. She had been diagnosed with manic depression. This girl was completely hopeless and didn't see a way out. She had been put on medication many times but it always made her feel lifeless she said. Being able to look at this sweet girl and tell her she doesn't have to continue to live this way and that there is freedom was one of the most beautiful experiences I have had counseling at CPC. How can we as Christians, look at someone (or even ourselves) who struggle with these same battles and say, "sorry all we can do is take medication-there is no other way." NO-that is not a life of freedom! That is not God's heart for us!
I am reminded of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3...
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Let's keep pressing on for a life of wholeness!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment