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The author indicated that many posters were Christian believers who still experienced depression that their faith couldn't seem to shake. I suggested that their faith WOULD conquer their depression (if doubt was its true origin) but that they had to make a choice to believe instead of doubt.

I believe that some depression is biochemical in nature, and that there are pharmaceutical solutions to these "funks." However, for folks whose despair arises from a crisis of faith, I maintain that the solution lies within their own grasp.

However, for folks whose despair arises from a crisis of faith, I maintain that the solution lies within their own grasp.
Thanks for the clarification, and I can certainly agree with what you said above. My comments relate to clinical depression-- that's the kind that leads to suicide, the biochemical type, the kind I had some experience with.

We know so little about the brain and how it works, but we are now on a threshold of understanding that may really increase our knowledge. There was an article in Scientific America this issue about a CAT scan type instrument that could actually get a resolution down to the individual neurons themselves.

Men once believed (even good Christian men) that disease was caused by humors in the blood, or bad night air, or demons. But science progressed, and found out about the microbe, and antibiotics, and vaccinations, and soon most diseases that have been terrible scourges of mankind were brought down. Until recently, stomach ulcers were thought to be caused by eating the wrong foods or worrying too much, but about 15 years ago they found a certain microbe actually causes them, by eating away at the stomach lining, and was (against the prevailing view) able to survive in the terribly acidic environment of the upper digestive system.

There is now indications that many heart diseases and even cancers are caused by microbes or viruses. Is it impossible to believe that brain disorders, such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, or even schizophrenia could possibly be acquired the same way? Even so, much has been recently discovered about brain chemistry, and it is proved that people who suffer from these various mental illnesses really do have a chemical imbalance in their brains. Does doubt and worry cause these imbalances, or do they result from them? That remains to be discovered.

I am not inclined to think that we can simply wish away bad feelings if it is a disease or chemical imbalance we may suffer from. Folks in this situation cannot simply "snap out of it" or "grow up" any more than could a cancer victim or ulcer sufferer. Faith in God and Jesus is the instrument of our slavation, but may not give us health in this life. The Lord is, after all, interested in our souls. This body will waste away. It is written, the Lord causes "the rain to fall on the good and the bad." We should pray for our souls, while using our God-given brains to discover cures for our illneses.

The author indicated that many posters were Christian believers who still experienced depression that their faith couldn't seem to shake. I suggested that their faith WOULD conquer their depression (if doubt was its true origin) but that they had to make a choice to believe instead of doubt.

I believe that some depression is biochemical in nature, and that there are pharmaceutical solutions to these "funks." However, for folks whose despair arises from a crisis of faith, I maintain that the solution lies within their own grasp.

Very good points here. When I was a teenager I had two episodes of major depression, two suicide attempts. It was a combination of physiological and circumstancial. I did not really respond too well with medication or counseling(I was a very private person)but I did respond with a dietary change, exercise, and supplements, especially the B vitamins.

For the circumstantial reasons for being depressed, journaling and intensive Bible study and prayer helped me to understand the power of forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 were life changing for me. It gave me perspective. It was the God of all comfort passage in which I understood that when we go through suffering, God comforts us and then we can comfort others with the same comfort we ourselves received. The other passage that helped with the circumstancial reasons was Philippians 3:13-14 forget what is the past and look ahead.

It was God who led me through the valleys in finding the answers that worked for me. As long as I follow my diet, supplements, exercise and journaling I have never lapsed back into the major depressive episodes. Journaling helps to monitor moods and see if there is a cycle or what triggers things. Therefore, I am in control and if I notice a pattern developing I do something about it.

I also think that people today are simply burnt out with the constant activity and busyness. It's easier to stay busy than deal with the emotions and pain. However, most people can't keep up the constant adrenaline rush. We compensate with food, drugs, alcohol, internet, sex, etc. all to numb the pain.

We as conservatives have a hard time it seems dealing with the emotional side of things, we pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and don't reach out because we don't want to be like the emotional liberals. Most of the time that is what is best, but there are times when we need to tend to the emotional side of things too.