Overcoming DepressionSýnishorn

Depression Is a Signal

In Psalm 42:5, King David wrote, “Why am I so depressed? Why this turmoil within me?” We can only speculate, but perhaps he was trying to figure out what led to the onset of his bout of depression.

For years, like David, I experienced intense depression. I would feel hopeless, sad, and uninterested in things I used to enjoy. At times it was so bad that I wanted to die. What changed everything for me was learning that depression isn’t random; it is a signal to be answered.

It’s a signal of deeper needs that have gone unmet or have been outright rejected in the past or present. God created us with relational needs (Genesis 2:18). He created us with heart desires and longings that drive everything we do (Proverbs 4:23). We have legitimate needs and desires—to be loved, known, accepted, connected, safe, and more. When these needs go unmet, or are outright rejected through hurt and negative experiences, depression can arise.

Often, depression can be triggered through rejection, relational hurt, and traumatic experiences. Thoughts and feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness about ourselves or situations in life can be the result. Over time, this can create fixed neurological pathways in our brains–fixed ways of thinking and feeling, making it easier and easier for bouts of depression to arise.

So, if depression is a signal, how do we answer it? What do we do to move towards freedom?

The first step is naming depression in our lives. The second step is identifying the underlying unmet needs and hurt. The third step is seeking God and others for help in addressing them.

David models this for us. In Psalm 42:6, he says, “My soul is downcast within me. Therefore, I will remember You from the land of Jordan.” He remembered who God was, how He provided in the past, and his experiences with God. This helped him fight the underlying lies and thoughts and feelings of hopelessness and perhaps worthlessness. We can do the same thing. When we experience depression, we can remember times when God made a way. We can remember who God is and what He says about our value.

Answering the signal of depression, in addition to medication and professional help when needed, has helped me experience so much freedom. If Jesus can do that in my life, I know He can do that in yours as well.

Heavenly Father, You know what leads to depression. You know my hurt and unmet needs. Help me to see how these things can be addressed in my life. Help me. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.