Depression and Our Culture

Depression and Our Culture

The word depression is a heavy word; most of use hears this word Depression in a negative quotation. Our culture has used this word to describe pivotal moment in our history; such has the Great Depression which described our time when our economy was so low it affected our living as a society. Through much medical research we have uncovered the bio-medical reason for depression; such as serotonin level and etc. We also realized that in our culture today more and more people suffer from depression. Depression can vary by individuals, culture, and lifestyle. Many of our young people suffer depression because of pier pressures and high educational standards and many uses anti-depression to through their daily lives. Many of our great leaders in history suffered from Depression e.g Winston Churchill, Napoleon Bonaparte and many more. Why the rise of depression in our culture? Why does our society feel burden by the heaviness of life.

Depression in the Bible

            When we associate depression and the Bible together it doesn’t seem right but we would be surprised of how many people in the bible suffered from depression. There are numerous scriptures that would paint a character that was going through an episode of depression. Let’s look at a few: David; the king of Israel constantly faced obstacles while being on the throne, throughout  the Book of Psalms we can hear the distress and depression King David was going through especially during the time he was pursued by Saul and Absalom. “I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. …I groan because of the turmoil of my heart” (Psalm 38:6,8 - NKJV). Jesus: even our Saviour had an episode of depression in the garden of Gethsemane. In Mark 14 v 32-34 Jesus says “32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. But by the time it is verse 35-36 Jesus gives us the solution to depression He says “....not my will but thy will be done” Jesus teaches us to let go and Let God, to let his will be done.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Anxiety and our culture

            Anxiety is a constant problem in our culture, we are bombarded with so much information that we have no time to relax and enjoy life. The information age has been a positive but also a negative. Every day when we open the television or radio all we hear is bad news about our economy, countries and families. We are not at ease because we worry about everything for there is constant change all the time. The possible causes of anxiety are many: Conflict, health problems, dangerous situations, death, unmet needs, spiritual problems, false beliefs, etc.

Anxiety and the Bible

            The Bible teaches ways we can deal with anxiety in our lives. There are many scriptures that can encourage us during times of fear, and anxiety.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?’” (Luke 12:22-26, NIV). (Also see Matthew 6:25-34)

Loneliness and our Culture

            I feel that loneliness is a hidden epidemic in our culture. I say hidden because when we see our culture today, you would think that is all about community and togetherness, but I doubt it. In our culture today we are focused about self, self gratification, self awareness, self publicity and of course a million dollars industry self help books. It’s all about “me, me, and me” Let’s look at our celebrities, many celebrities today suffer from loneliness, when the lights, camera and action are gone and they are left by themselves, they realize how lonely they are. You may be in the midst of hundreds of people and still feel lonely because of how you perceive yourself. Now with the technological age such television, internet and social media we are more prone to be lonely and in solitude.

Loneliness and the Bible

            The bible teaches us that we are never alone, God is omnipresent and He is in our presence all the time.

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28: 2

Self-Esteem and Our Culture

            There are not enough pages to talk about self-esteem. In our culture only that subject can be studied forever. I believe that Self esteem will dictate the direction you will take in life. Everyday our attitude towards ourselves will determine the success of our day. As women, if we wake up feeling good about self, our hair, clothes and makeup, we will walk like a million bucks. Our confidence will get better and make better decision. The same for the opposite, it we wake up feeling not so good, it will determine if we will have a good day. Many of us place our esteem in what we see on television and what our media is projecting. Many of our esteem have been broken because of childhood experiences, abuse and neglect.

Self-esteem and the Bible

            There are many scriptures that could help us boost our self-esteem. Just knowing that we are children of God should make us feel and walk differently.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us Romans 8:37

 

Nahomie Acelin, bloggueuse pour Ministère Resurexion