Christians Get Depressed Too - Chapter 5

Chapter Five: The Cures

Summary:

So far, David Murray has written about the crisis, the complexity, the condition, and the causes of depression. He moves on in Chapter 5 to write about some cures of depression. But before he writes about a single cure, he asks a question that we must ask of ourselves, or of one that is depressed: “Do you want to be made whole?”. Of course, we say! But then are we taking the necessary steps to be made whole? Or have we gotten used to living with the problem? Given up hope? No will to play a part in the healing process? Frightened of what living whole will mean and look like? Miss the attention/sympathy? Murray clearly states that there is no hope of recovery if the depressed person does not want to play a role in recovery.

Now that he has that on paper, he moves onto 4 measures, parts of a “package” of healing:

1.       Correct Your Lifestyle – to lead a balanced lifestyle, so as not to stretch beyond what we can handle

·         Routine: restore order, discipline and structure, which rebuilds a sense of purpose

·         Relaxation: take time to pause, seek God (Jesus did), re-learn to breathe properly

·         Recreation: moderate exercise, especially outdoors if possible

·         Rest: make a bedtime routine; appreciate the gift of Sundays

·         Reprioritize: examine life and find ways to reduce commitments and obligations

2.       Correct Your False Thoughts – identify/examine thoughts and then challenge the false and unhelpful ones, using a Thought Investigation Questionnaire. Murray uses Ps. 77 as a true Bible-based Christian experience of doing just that, where Asaph examines his thoughts:

·         His life situation – Time? Place? People? Events?

·         His feelings – Sum up my mood in one word or more if needed, rating the intensity using percentage (eg. Angry – 90% of the time)

·         His thoughts – What am I thinking of at this time? About myself? Others? The present? The future?

·         His analysis – Identify false/unhelpful thinking patterns (eg. Extremes, generalizations, false filter)

·         His behaviour – Impact of the above and my relationship with others. Any activity I’ve stopped or started?

Asaph then challenges his own thoughts

·         His reasons – Why do I believe the thoughts I listed in Step 3? Evidence to support?

·         His challenge – List evidence/reasons against thoughts in Step 3

·         His conclusion – Come to a balanced conclusion, one that is truthful and helpful

·         His new feelings – Copy some or all of the feelings from Step 2 and rate them again

·         His plan – How will I put the balanced conclusion into practice?

3.       Correct Your Brain Chemistry – Murray encourages the depressed person to seek medical help if assessing feelings and thoughts does not work. Before meeting the doctor, write out symptoms. Educate yourself with the myths and false ideas of anti-depressants. Murray though warns to remember that anti-depressants shouldn’t be seen as a cure-all

4.       Correct Your Spiritual Life – the spiritual consequences and spiritual causes.

 

Correcting spiritual consequences:

 

·         Depression is not necessarily a sin

·         Depression has caused a general loss in all aspects of life, not just your spiritual life

·         Be patient, as you correct your lifestyle, thoughts and/or brain chemistry

·         Set (realistic) time for Bible reading and praying

·         Remember verses that remind you of God’s love, mercy, and grace

·         Be honest with God when you pray – speak your feelings honestly to Him

·         Keep going to church, to be under His Word, as well as fellowship. Stay in contact with one or two close sympathetic Christians you can trust

·         Remember God loves you

Correcting the spiritual causes:

·         Examine your life, and if there is a particular sin that you are ignoring, repent

Murray concludes the chapter, encouraging his readers to not take on too much, but with someone’s help, sit down and make a list of areas you want to work on; then pick just one at a time to focus on. He ends, reminding us to pray for God’s help and His blessings. He also gives out a template of what Asaph did, but one that we can fill out ourselves (Thought Investigation Questionnaire)

My Thoughts:

First of all, you know how many times I have typed out “Andy” Murray instead of David Murray?! Yes, I enjoy watching tennis :o). Anyway, back to the chapter. I do love how Murray starts out, rather blunt, but so true: Do you want to be whole? I think that is a very good reflective question. I also like his Thought Investigation Questionnaire, again loving that he used a Biblical example to fill it out.

Your Thoughts:

What did you think of Murray’s cures of depression? Valid? Is he off the mark or missing something? Any other cures you have experienced or know of that have helped you or a loved one?

Prayer Points:

·         To want to be whole

·         For strength and will-power to fulfill the responsibility of recovery

·         To recognize the necessity to fill out the questionnaire

·         For those who are on my path that are struggling with depression

·         To help me remember this chapter when someone has confided in me

·         Thankfulness for many godly examples in the Bible that God has given us

·         Thankfulness for His love, grace and mercy

Next Time:

Next week Thursday, we will move on to Chapter Six – The Caregivers, the last chapter of this book!

See you then, well, probably before then. Time for some pictures again, no? :o) Hopefully in the next days or so, we will have something lighter to read, and some pictures to browse through. Until then, have a blessed weekend, and may you enjoy a well-rested Sunday, one that glorifies God and our neighbour. Thanks again for reading!