I failed you, and today I’m asking for your forgiveness. As a professional in the mental health community, and as a leader in the church, I am seeking your forgiveness because I believe that we have let you down. Oh, it wasn’t intentional, believe me. But even Scripture says, “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6).
Almost every single a day I encounter someone struggling with depression either coming through the doors of my private practice, emailing or messaging me, or meeting me in person for coffee to share the depths of the darkness of their depression with me.
Depression to be greatest epidemic worldwide
Most people don’t realize it, depression will be our greatest epidemic worldwide. It already is our greatest cause of disability worldwide. One out of every ten American adults is diagnosed with depression each year, and one in four will be diagnosed at some point in their lifetime. Yet sadly, it is estimated that this number will increase by 20% every year. And it’s not just in the world—it’s even within the church. Some sources say that 70% of pastors fight depression, (see Charisma: Why are so many pastors committing suicide?).
Because of that, I feel the need to ask your forgiveness. As a neuropsychologist with almost 25 years of professional experience in the medical and mental health fields, and as a Christian and a leader in the church, I feel we have failed. We have missed the mark and been approaching things wrong if these numbers are increasing. We of all people should have the answers. Yet, again, scripture clearly states in Hosea 4:6 that “my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”
Did you know? Even Christians get depressed
Can I tell you a secret? Lest you think this is just a problem “out there,” even Christians get depressed! How do I know this? Because I was one of them. I had been a Christian mental health provider treating patients with a variety of medical and mental health conditions for two decades when I experienced debilitating depression myself. So all the degrees and alphabet soup after my name wasn’t enough to safeguard me against this debilitating condition.
Bible greats also suffered from depression
But if my own story isn’t convincing enough, we only have to turn to the Bible and consider Elijah, Jonah, Job, or David for examples of Biblical greats who suffered from depression to know that even those who love and serve the Lord are not immune to this devastating condition. I’m so grateful for the Bible’s account of their stories so that I didn’t feel like I was the only one.
But here’s the thing. When I fell into the valley of depression, I knew what to do. Or so I thought. I tried all the same treatment recommendations that I had suggested to my patients for almost 20 years. I tried therapy and even medication. I ate healthy, exercised, and ensured I got enough rest. I want you to know, all these treatment strategies helped– but they weren’t enough to truly eradicate depression from my life.
Experiencing true freedom by addressing spiritual side of depression
When the depression continued, I cried out to God to either take me home, or show me what was missing. What was I doing wrong? It was then that God opened my eyes to the fact that we MUST address the spiritual component of depression if we want to experience true help, hope, and healing. Once I recognized that and cooperated with God to address the spiritual side of this devastating condition, I found true freedom from depression.
Now, I address everything differently in life. I talk to myself differently. I parent differently. I counsel patients from this new perspective. It has truly changed my life. I believe that it’s not too late to reverse the trend. I ask your forgiveness for not recognizing this crucial component earlier in my career, but when God opens the doors for me to share what He has taught me now, I will walk through them, because this is good news that is too good to keep to myself.
Scripture says the enemy is defeated by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. God has blessed me with insights to break the bondage of depression, and I will gladly share that testimony. In fact, I have done so in my book “Hope Prevails: Insights From a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression”. I wrote that book largely as a resource that would extend beyond the four walls of my private practice. As a result of reader requests, I then wrote the Hope Prevails Bible Study companion which just released October 25, 2017 to take readers deeper into the Word for greater help, hope, and healing.
There is hope and help for depression
People need help and hope more today than ever. Pastors and ministers, counselors, therapists, and coaches need to know how to address this growing problem from a Biblical perspective. I regret that I didn’t know this earlier in my career, but now that I do, there is no turning back. When God gives me the opportunity to share it in writing or speaking venues, or in my private practice, or even in person over coffee, I share from my own testimony the keys that I think will help set people free from depression and reverse the growing trend. And to those who have ears to hear, I pray they will listen—for their own benefit and for those they love.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
For a Free eBook on How to Help a Depressed Loved One, click here.
Exciting News!
The Hope Prevails Bible study is now available!
Are you or is someone you love experiencing depression? The Hope Prevails Bible Study book offers tangible help, hope, and healing from someone who’s been there and has come out on the other side.
In this Bible study companion to Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey through Depression, Dr. Bengtson, a neuropsychologist with over 25 years of experience, shares both her clinical expertise and her own personal journey through depression.
Dr. Bengtson’s personal experience is interwoven with questions for reflection, key thoughts, music playlist suggestions, resources, plus a leader’s guide.
This Bible study can be used as a companion to Hope Prevails or independent study by an individual or is perfect in a small or larger group study. Useful for churches and counseling practices.
“Authentic connections, raw insights, and powerful truths. A great resource for individuals that would be highly beneficial to both church and counseling groups.” ~ Pastor Debbie Kitterman, Founder, Dare 2 Hear Ministry
Dr B, you’re forgiven but it’s not your fault. Really its not. You didn’t know until you went through it & God revealed how to overcome it. Thank you for writing the devotionals & book to help us overcome like you did. It’s helping us have hope & believe in “hope prevails”. ?
You’re forgiven, but I agree it’s not your fault, either. I told you how once a doctor wanted to diagnose me with depression. The medicine she prescribed for me for TMJ, turned out to be an ant- depressant. I could not even get up. I found out later it was grief after being prayed for, missed opportunities. That’s why I pray for people now, I didn’t know how before. Believers have to recognize their enemy. I tell people I’m sorry for things they are going through many times and get the same response, and you know if they don’t blame me and the Lord doesn’t, I shouldn’t either. What I tell people about Jesus is up to them to receive, some people have not listened. I know people on medication that are doing well but not well enough, some that need it but are afraid to take it. There is still a stigma about it in church. I pray that we all learn to ask Him for His rest, settle into His healing presence, His yoke is easy and His burden light. Love and blessings, I pray your burden is light after you read this.
I never knew I was an incest survivor as I repressed it until my own children were in physical danger. I was a mad mama bear and with God’s help, supernaturally protected them. I guess, six months later, I faced the fact that I had not be protected. My father had a severe form of manic depression. At one time, he knew he was Jesus Christ. We were churched all our lives but no teaching of a personal relationship and His power and love. What was the Holy Spirit–what part did it play? Who knew in our rather small country church where lives were led undercover and things were swept under the rug? My mom became a believer two years before she died at age 56. My dad died in a bizarre automobile accident at age 63 and he heard voices saying not to wear his seatbelt. It was reported he was going to his his wife’s family (deceased). I was very close to my daddy. My sister was very close to her mommie. Both parents were deceased before I could remember. I became a Christian at 24 but didn’t know who I took to the cross. My suitcases were not unpacked. Rage was my companion and I repented but couldn’t understand why I was so angry. Control freak and perfectionist plus some other ‘survival tools’ were used until I remembered in my 40s. I made a huge mistake in sharing with my sister and some churches. More betrayal and judgment. I lost both sides of my extended families due to my sister sharing my business. I could not gather strength to attend my beloved grandmother’s funeral (yes, daddy’s side). Let’s just say chilliness and non-support were the name of the game back when. I’ve gone through 20 years of healing as directed by the Lord Jesus. I came around the bend several years ago and finally know God as my Father. Of course, Jesus clearly says that ‘if you know Me, you know the Father’. Somehow, it did not compute. I do not have manic depression (perhaps my father really didn’t either as I learned at his funeral that his father beat him; he was in a car accident and hurt his brain; and his large family treated him as the family clown and was denied his education above the 5th grade. I did try to commit suicide twice and thought about it several times down the road. I lived in the era of locked wards (private and state hospitals) and even being ‘hit on’. Nothing was revealed and the depression lifted and I married a fine country man (orphaned and with unknown learning differences)–whole set of problems to be worked out. We had four daughters and I was led to homeschool. When we were living in WA State (mission trip), it was an unusual daily rainy, downcast winter. That is when it was discovered I had severe/profound Season Affective Disorder. Sadly, at the time, I could not tolerate the special lights and developed a rash. I’ve always migrated to the light. Yes, His light kept me moving forward and vitamin D, exercise and a new mindset plus a holistic tool kit has really helped. But it was not enough. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has been researching and examining the brain and new information is coming out!!!!! Turns out a wounded brain can be helped and fixed….neuroplasticity. Cognitive therapy could only take me so far. I have PTSD, S.A.D. really bad. Psalms and devotionals and everything I’ve done has helped. But this year, I took a major risk and tried Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. I am very blessed that is is the piece of the puzzle I’ve personally needed. Rejoicing as God led me to try this in true faith. I just felt led by God to share this with you. Functional medicine addressing the mind, body, and spirit are the way to the future. Patients (and I’ve been a pioneer) need to take responsibility for their healing. It’s been a long and winding road but God Almighty has been in it for His purposes and Glory!!! I do TRUST Him 100% now.
Dr. Michelle, thanks for this post today. I’ve been mentoring younger women for over a decade, and I have personally seen the shadows cast by depression. It certainly is an epidemic. I’m thankful for your words and will bookmark your page as a resource. Thank you!
I’m glad there are people out there watching and able to help those with depression. It is definitely a wide-spread struggle that affects so many in our families. Lord, have mercy as we deal with more and more in the coming years.
Dr. Bengtson, while the Bible says “my people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge” no one knows everything, no one is perfect, that one thing is a big role player, I believe, in so many people being so unhappy, we are not perfect, and we won’t be until we are at home with our Father. You are forgiven. Praise God for our Savior, His love and mercy! Praise God for you and all you do for Him.
I found your post today at the Life as We Know it link party. God bless you
I’m glad you bring in the spiritual aspect. We are in a battle. The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy. Dr. Neil Anderson’s book Victory Over the Darkness is life changing.
It’s nice to find a christian perspective on the topic of depression. It’s been a taboo subject for a long time among believers. I’m eager to explore more on your website!
Michelle, this is powerful friend. Not sure why I’m shocked at the statistics you mentioned. Depression touches so many people. And because we live in a fallen world and have a very real enemy, our only hope is Jesus. Thanks for your vulnerability, your great work in your practice, your writing ministry, and kingdom work. You are amazing!
SO often we “know the answers” until we actually walk the path and then we view everything differently. I too have dealt with this issue and the easy answers we read about, just, well, aren’t that easy. I’m thankful for God’s grace and friends who care! Thanks for your words of hope and spiritual focus!
Thank you for your honesty. It is so important to treat all three areas of this problem – physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual.
I have an anxiety disorder and S.A.D. Thank the Lord He brought a pastor’s wife across my path who had battled serious depression for 12 years. She encouraged and taught me a lot. In some circles I was familiar with the spiritual tended to be the only side that was addressed – if you were depressed, etc., it was your spiritual life, you “needed to get right with God.” This was also a terrible mistake in approach, and many people were hurt by it. Some even died, thinking it was a sin to take medication to control their depression. My own parents were not that way so much, but we still had to learn a lot. I feel extremely blessed to be where I am today, and it is only by the grace and kind leading of the Lord Jesus Christ that I have come this far!
Thank you for sharing this. Unfortunately a very respected educated pastor kept teaching that psychology was witchcraft and others attitudes amd teachings were that depression is sin. That joy should be there all the time. So when I was starting to feel
Depressed and then in a car wreck I didn’t get help. And later when I was in a scary situation and other situations and struggling I didn’t get counsel and the help. I’m beginning to accept that these teachings aren’t true!
Love you and thank you!
Rhonda, I’m so very sorry that was your experience. I think we do need to be aware of the spiritual influence in our lives, as we are all affected by the enemy of our soul. I’ve heard many say that depression is a sin. I don’t know if they are uneducated, or prideful, or just lacking in compassion. But I do know that David went in and out of depression, and God called him a man after his own heart. And you, Dear One, are a woman after God’s own heart. And He cares about all you’ve endured.