Book Talk: Christians Get Depressed Too - Chapter Four

Chapter Four – The Causes

Summary:

David Murray has touched upon a few causes of depression in previous chapters. In this chapter, Murray spends a bit more time on some of the various causes. Murray reminds us that depression is often put into two categories: reactive (traced to an obvious trigger) and endogenous (biological in origin) – although the lines can be blurry between the two. Murray then lists 5 triggers of depression: stress, psychology, sin, sickness and sovereignty.

1.       Stress

·         when we are stretched by:

a)      Life events (little control over, if any):

Ø  Illness, unemployment, birth of children as some examples

Ø  Brain chemistry changes, which results in a change in our moods

Ø  The red flag is when the stressful experience continues for a long time, or one after another

Ø  We are too stretched, and like a rubber band, may snap (nervous breakdown)

Ø  Stress makes our minds go into overdrive, depleting our chemicals that we need to think/feel in a normal way

b)      Lifestyle (considerable control):

Ø  An unbalanced lifestyle of overworking and spending, not exercising, or sleeping well

Ø  It is deliberate (even if we don’t think so) and makes us go beyond what we are capable of, which is not glorifying God in body or spirit

 

2.       Psychology

·         false thought patterns (see previous chapter) may have been absorbed in childhood, thanks to both positive and negative common core beliefs from parents, which follow us into adulthood

·         when down or stressed, these core beliefs dominate

 

3.       Sin

·         Many unbelievers are being treated for depression/anxiety with medicine, when actually they need to hear about the Gospel

·         Christians who become depressed, they often assume that there is a spiritual cause, but Murray states that blaming our depression on our sin is “not only often wrong, but harmful” as it increases feelings of failure and false guilt

·         Yet, sin may very well be a reason for why someone is suffering depression/anxiety

·         “How then does a Christian know if his depression has a spiritual cause or simply spiritual consequesnces? Murry asks.

·         “Truly spiritual causes of depression…..is a deliberate and continued rebellion against God.”

·         Depression with spiritual roots can be caused by idols (anything that replaces God as first in your heart), when you try to handle your sin on your own without going to the cross, and when there is sadness and anger due to not forgiving others

4.       Sickness

·         While more and more biblical counselling has accepted the role of medicine, there is too often that the counsellor/pastor/ assume that depression is caused by a personal sin (which it can, but not always)

·         But part of living in a fallen world, our bodies have mechanical, chemical and electrical problems, which affect our hearts, and livers (just to list a few), so why not the biggest organ of the body, the brain?

·         So if we see insulin (medicine) helpful in addressing the causes of diabetes rather than judging that it is sin, why do we assume this with depression? Why is a person with low insulin “allowed” to be lethargic and irrational and not be asked what sin s/he needs to repent from, when someone with depression we assume that there is sin that needs to be dealt with until proven otherwise?

5.       Sovereignty

·         Although this may be so hard to understand, Murray reminds us that the another cause of depression may very well be : it pleases God

·         “Sometimes we take God’s presence in our lives for granted”, and so God may choose to withdraw (not forsake), so that we may feel what we are missing – His presence, protection and favour.

Murray ends the chapter with a quote from Marten Lloyd-Jones, a pastor of body and then soul:

“We are strange creatures, made up of body, mind and spirit; these are interrelated and react upon one another. Many of our troubles in life are due to this fact, and to our failure to realize the place, function, and sphere of each one of these realms.”

My Thoughts

I love how Murray brings up other illnesses that are caused by the fallen world, to prove his point that depression is often not because of a personal sin. There is a big difference. And we have a great example of this with Job. I also liked how he gave examples of when depression has spiritual roots (idols etc.). I can relate to that especially. I know I place too much emphasis on the pleasure of here and now, rather than looking to God for that; not that God doesn’t want me to enjoy anything here on earth, but more it’s my reaction when people or events disappoint me – mostly due to my unreasonable expectations. My moods can swing drastically when things do not go my way. My, actually typing that out makes me embarrassed and shameful.

Your Thoughts

Do you feel Murray gave a wise answer as to that question in purple? What other triggers are there that may cause depression that Murray has not mentioned?

Prayer Points

·         That we may recognize the triggers in ourselves and others

·         For unbelievers who are desperate to hear the Gospel, but don’t know it

·         For opportunities to share the Gospel with others as their only comfort in life and dead

·         For all those who are in varying levels of depression

·         That it may warm up soon, as we have had another long winter, which affects so many people

·         Thankfulness for God’s faithfulness, that no matter how long this winter may be, Spring always, always follows

·         Thankfulness to God for the medicines available     

• That we may be able to recognize the difference between depression stemming from spiritual cause or spiritual consequence

Next Time

Now that we have studied the why, the how, the complexity and causes of depression, we will move onto Chapter 5, where Murray writes about the cures of depression. See you next time!!

Book Talk: Christians Get Depressed Too - Chapter Three

Chapter Three – The Condition

Summary:

After writing about 8 reasons ‘why’ we should study depression, two principles to guide us in ‘how’ we should study depression, including 3 extreme positions often taken in regarding depression, David Murray moves on in Chapter Three to the question of ‘what is depression’? He states we need to know what depression is to recognize the symptoms physically as well as spiritually, with the latter one he is most concerned about. He spends the rest of the chapter on the spiritual side of depression, using Scripture to show that depression is ‘compatible with being a Christian’.

Murray uses 5 areas of our lives to answer the question “What is depression?”, areas that are interrelated, spending the most time on the second area:

1.       Life Situation:

·         Murray speaks here of providential changes (grief, death, family difficulties, loss of job, lack of money), changes that affect our mental and emotional health.

·         In order to recognize and connect depression to a providential change, this means examining our lives to trace back to a particular event

·         Murray believes we don’t like to do this, linking our depressed thoughts/anxiety to life events as that makes us feel exposed as weak

·         Not all depression is because of providential changes, but due to genetics

2.       Thoughts:

·         Unhelpful thought patterns (distortion of reality)

·         With God’s help, Murray reminds us that while we can’t change the providential changes, we can change our way of thinking

·         Murray lists 10 false thought patterns, using a life, spiritual and Biblical example for each one:

ü  False extremes: all or nothing thinking i.e. one mistake in cooking means you are a total disaster (life)

ü  False generalization: concluding that once experiencing an unpleasant even, this will always continue i.e. trying to witness to someone about God and you are mocked, which makes you feel this will always happen (spiritual)

ü  False filter: filtering anything positive, everything is negative i.e. 90% on a test but focus is on the 10% that you got wrong (life)

ü  False transformation: ignores positive experiences, even turning them into a negative experience i.e. you receive a compliment but figure the person has ulterior motives (wants something from you) (life)

ü  False mind reading: when we think we can tell what others are thinking of us, always concluding they are negative thoughts i.e. a friend passes you by, being late for something, but you conclude s/he doesn’t like you anymore (life)

ü  False fortune telling: when we think we know things will turn out so badly, that we tell ourselves it’s a fact i.e. convinced that you will never be able to pray in public (spiritual)

ü  False lens: when we see our mistakes and fears through a magnifying glass, which makes everything out of proportion i.e. although we know we have received forgiveness of sins, we can’t shake the guilt and fear of punishment (spiritual)

ü  False feelings-based reasoning:  when we let our feelings determine the facts i.e. you feel unforgiven and conclude you are unforgiven (spiritual)

ü  False ‘shoulds’: pressure that we ‘should’ be doing this, and ‘ought’ to be doing that, pressures that can lead to frustration, especially when we fail i.e. when we feel we need to do as much kingdom work as our neighbour, while our neighbour does not have children to look after, and a home to run (spiritual)

ü  False responsibility: when it’s assumed and we blame ourselves for a negative result i.e. when a child turns away from the Lord, a parent assumes that it is her/his fault, even when s/he has done everything ‘right’ (spiritual)

3.       Feelings:

·         Murray states that unhelpful thought patterns will give us unhelpful emotions and feelings

·         Murray then lists 6 emotional symptoms of depression, with Biblical examples for each one:

ü  Overwhelming and long-term sadness (David in Ps. 42: 3, 7)

ü  (often) Irrational anger towards God and/or others (Jonah in Jonah 4:4, 9)

ü  When you feel your life is worthless (Jeremiah in Jer. 20: 14-18)

ü  Extreme anxiety or panic (David in 1 Sam. 21: 12)

ü  The feeling that God hates you and is far away (Job in well, many places of Job)

ü  Having a longing to die (suicidal) (Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4)

4.       Bodily Symptoms:

·         Disturbed sleep, tiredness, weight fluctuations, digestive problems, breathlessness

5.       Behaviour and Activity:

·         When we stop what we love to do and start doing things that make us feel worse (drinking, eating excessively, push people away from us)

Murray concludes the chapter with a summary (go figure! And it’s much shorter than mine!) to:

                                 i.            Assess the 5 areas in our life, remembering that one false thought pattern will affect all areas of life

                               ii.            Physical symptoms may very well be related to depression

                              iii.            To seek medical advice if serious symptoms persist

                             iv.            With God’s help, reverse false thinking patterns, focusing on one area at a time

                               v.            Pray for ourselves and others

                             vi.            Seek the Christ’s sympathy, who also suffered through deep sadness

                            vii.            Believe that depression is part of God’s plan – He may want you to go through it. That you are where God wants you to be, to possible learn from it, to gain something from going through it.

My Thoughts:

Yikes. Too many, that’s for sure!! I love how he gives so many life, spiritual and biblical examples. I only listed one each, but he actually has an example for all three, under each false thought pattern. I found those to be very helpful. I also think it will leave all of us knowing that we have found ourselves in one or more false thought pattern. I will be honest though, I really struggle with the last summary point, that depression may not be a punishment, but part of God’s plan. Murray ends with the question: if God wants you to go through this it would be wrong for you to avoid it, wouldn’t it? I am not so sure about that statement, and have to chew on it a bit longer.

My other thought is that David Murray loves lists. :o)

Your Thoughts:

What do you think about that last question of Murray’s? Has Murray given a true definition of depression?

Prayer Points:

·         For all those who suffer short and long term depression

·         For clarity to assess the 5 areas in my life

·         For help in changing the false thought patterns that have taken root

·         Thankfulness for the medical options we have

·         That we may recognize and help others who may be struggling

Next Time:

We are halfway through the book! Next week, we will look at Chapter 4: The Causes (of Depression)

Thanks again for participating in this.....I am hearing from a few here, as well as via email and face to face. I always look forward to hearing what others are thinking.

Chapter 3........Tomorrow

I know, I know, it is Thursday, however with a meeting Tuesday night, Wednesday night and tonight, I am just not able to get a chapter summary done from our book. Tomorrow night I will have time, so that is when it'll be done. I've got it read, but yeah, seeing that I do most of my blogging at night, it'll have to be tomorrow.

See you then!!

On a total different strand, here is a snapshot of a Before and After:

Before:

After:

(so frustrating that I can't turn a picture once it's been chosen.....sorry for the crick in your neck now)

 

After lining up his cars ever so carefully on my table, just before lunch, I realized it was time to pull up the car mat from downstairs for him. Ah, the joys of raising a boy. I love it.

Lighten Up!

By doing a book on Depression, this blog can get pretty "heavy". So what better way is there to even things out and lighten things up a bit other than using pictures?! Hopefully they will put a smile on your face. They make me smile and also warm up my heart......which is good, because there just doesn't seem to be enough warmth right now thanks to the minus 25 degree weather (that's without the wind chill!).

Keziah and her crafting. Here is a snail. If you are wondering why her snail has a tail, well, it's not a tail. It's the snail slime........ yummy.

Speaking of crafting, this girl will collect and forage all kinds of things to use for crafts, even convincing her teacher that she needed the paper plate that held her party food at school to make it into something. Below, you will see white doilies that came from a restaurant that we were at for breakfast, and a dark brown "paper" that she was just thrilled about which I allowed her to keep (it's the sheeting that comes in between chocolate layers, like Pot of Gold).

The crafting usually takes place when this guy naps......and nap he does, every day. It's the reason I am still sane (I know, that could be subjective.....)!! ;o)

But when he is awake, these two are often found together.......once you find them!

Receiving a huge bag of goodies certainly put a smile on our faces.....and an inch or two of fat to keep us warm this winter.

With Nathan over 40 now, I thought for sure he'd be the first one in the family that would need reading glasses. Apparently not.

We did have the stomach flu for a few days, but I knew Lincoln was all better when I went to wake him up in the morning and found this. He looks so innocent, but he's not! He emptied two full wipe packages and opened up all the others. Good thing he is so cute.......

While I know arranged marriages are certainly not the way to go, sometimes I wish we could bend the rules a bit......because then I'd arrange one with this boy to this darling little lovey that has stolen not only my heart, but his as well.

In the past 3-4 weeks or so, we have had a few snowstorms, leaving us with lots of the white stuff. This means snow fun!!!

And it's a good thing we went tobogganing a few weekends ago, because it is just too cold right now to go.

But not being able to go outside so much has not stopped our winter activities. Who needs a dog sled team when you can have your very own stuffie sled team?!

Cold, frigid evenings means coziness, snuggling up with my loved one, with a fire burning in the hearth. Thankful to God for so much to keep us warm day in and day out in this frosty February.

Book Talk: Christians Get Depressed Too - Chapter Two

Chapter Two - The Complexity 

Summary:

After writing in Chapter One eight reasons why we should study depression, Murray uses Chapter Two to deal with the spirit (attitude) in how depression should be approached. He writes about two principles, with the latter one being written about at length. 

The first principle is to Avoid Dogmatism and Seek Humility. That is, while a preacher must preach the Word boldly, clearly and with authority, using the words, "Thus says the Lord", having this dogmatic attitude is not helpful, especially when the Word of God itself is not always dogmatic. And It is not dogmatic with depression. Instead, humility is needed, which means we need to listen, study and speak with the understanding the complexity of depression. 

The second principle is to Avoid Extremes and Seek Balance. Murray spends a great deal of the chapter on this principle, explaining three extremes that need to be avoided:

1. The Cause is All Physical: the extreme belief that depression has purely physical causes (chemical imbalances) and so it can be corrected by antidepressants, also known as the medical model. Yes, the brain needs chemicals to move our thoughts, and when these chemicals are diminished, the process slows down or stops, and so medication may be required. However, Murray states that to presume that medication is best for everyone is wrong.
2. The Cause is All Spiritual (shown in two forms):

·         depression is caused by demonic possession and thus requires exorcism

Ø  large emphasis on spiritual warfare, with treatment being the deliverance from these demons

 

·         depression is caused by sin, which requires rebuke, repentance and confession

Ø  the Nouthetic Counseling Movement (Jay Adams): people with depression suffer so due to their unforgiven and unaltered sinful behaviour. To be treated means one needs to be rebuked, which should lead to repentance and conversion. Murray writes about strengths and weaknesses to this movement, a strength being that Adams restored the Biblical’s central role in counseling those with depression. Murray found though that this movement was weak in the fact that Adams does not seem to differentiate between typical mood swings and deeper kinds of depression, and this needs to be done in order to know when to encourage someone to repent, or to throw them a light and lifeline

Ø  The Modern Biblical Counseling Movement (Christian Counseling and Education Foundation): this group has dealt with some of the criticism in Adams’ approach (thankfully), however Murray is concerned about the belief still there, that depression is the result of personal sin, which means to treat with medication is not the answer, only repentance is the cure. Would we take this view if someone has a stroke or Alzheimer’s?

Before going into the third extreme, Murray does explain a bit more about the connection of sin and depression. He believes that depression can *sometimes* be caused by sin, however, we should assume that depression is a result of living in a fallen world rather than think that the person has caused depression by personal sin.

3.      The Cause is All Mental (“in his mind”): that depression is fictional and only is something that people with a weak and fragile mind have. Murray clarifies that depression afflicts all types of people of all walks of life, no matter how strong or temperamental one is. No two depressions are alike, and so we must not paint everyone with the same brush

Murray concludes the chapter with encouraging his readers to keep all of this in mind when dealing with someone (or themselves!) who is struggling with depression. Depression is very, very complex and there are no quick fixes.   

My Thoughts:

Phew. While Murray speaks of depression being complex, I found this chapter to be complex! It took me a bit to get through it, as I had to look up some definitions (i.e. dogmatic). But once I read through the chapter, it all came together. However, this chapter is one I will need to read again. I think my favourite part of it was the quote by Charles Spurgeon:

"It is all very well for those who are in robust health and full of spirits to blame those whose lives are sicklied or covered with the pale cast of melancholy, but the (malady) is as real as a gaping wound, and all the more hard to bear because it lies so much in the region of the soul that to the inexperienced it appears to be a mere matter of fancy and diseased imagination. Reader, never ridicule the nervous and hypochondriacal, their pain in real; though much of the (malady) lies in the imagination (thought-processes) it is not imaginary."

Your Thoughts:

Did you make it through the chapter? Did you make it through my review?! What are your thoughts? Do you find yourself thinking some of those extremes? What do you think of Jay Adams' approach?

Prayer Points:

• for clarity and wisdom, understanding that depression is different for everyone
• for those who are stuck in the feelings that they must have depression because their spiritual life is so weak
• that we may be that light and lifeline to someone, using God's Word
• for forgiveness in finding ourselves in one or all those extremes mentioned
• for forgiveness because of lack of humility
• thankfulness for the medicines, counselors, pastors and others that are helping those in need

Next Time:

Next week Thursday, we will look at Chapter Three: The Condition (of Depression - what is it?)

(I have no idea why this blog post has different fonts and not looking uniformed like all my other Book Talk blog posts. While it is absolutely driving me crazy, bothering that need for things to be "just so", I shall have to leave it be, or else this post will never get posted!)