Speaking from experience, depression and christianity go hand in hand. At least partially so. You see Christianity is not designed for good self esteem, it is designed to examine personal flaws, and esteem others better than yourself. The Lord’s Supper, sacrements, love feast, memorial, is an example of this.

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29, KJV)

Depression, stems from feeling guilty, unworthy, damned, hated, or when circumstances seem too much, etc. So when a person has had a rough patch, or gave up on doing right for a little while, or made a big mistake, this feeds into the religious need to examine yourself. It can be a very unpleasant experience being honest with yourself about personal sins or problems. This can be compounded by the religious necessity of remembering what manner of person you are. If we as human beings are sloppy in our morality only to regret it later, we run afoul of this passage.

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.” (James 1:22-26, KJV)

Its a hard thing, not to end up in a cycle of sin, regret, self hatred, followed by a giving up, only to repeat said actions again at the reminder. There are only a few small solutions I have found to cope with depression as a christian. They are…

1. Help others

2. Teach truth

3. Plan a session daily, or weekly to brainstorm how to make yourself a better person. Pick the easiest one to do first. Do not expect fast results, often times it has taken me months or years to change myself.

4. When you do the Lord’s Supper, wash your feet also. There is a physical to spiritual connection between the act of cleaning your feet, washing of sins, forgiveness, and happiness.

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:14-17, KJV)

5. Garden. A lot of depressed, and mentally or physically ill folks have had their symptoms become less, just by planting and keeping a garden. Adam was created to keep a garden, and we are his many times descendants. It’s in every fiber of our being. The sunlight, fresh air, soil bacteria, physical work, and joy of watching growth, and need to protect something fragile, are all mental or physical needs. The compounding of effects are very helpful for depression.

6. Do everything you feel comfortable with doing. Then Get Medicine. Sometimes its necessary, there is no shame in it. Some people are born with chronically low seratonin levels, it causes depression, and extra body pain, and slows your ability to heal. If you need medication, take it, i can be life changing. I did, and it was worth it for me.

7. Find a better social setting for yourself. Sometimes certain people just add misery to life. Just stay away from them. Its better to make a big job change, or church change, or live by yourself in the woods, than be miserable all the time. Sometimes, your problems are for good reason and its somone else close to you creating an unlivable situation. It is not your fault. Even God has no expectation for us to live with everyone peaceably, but only if possible. With some folks, its not, sometimes another broken person has too much need to control their social setting, or is too selfish, or thrives on causing others misery, just get away from them. They are not peaceable, and you aren’t the problem.

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:17-18, KJV)

8. Above all things remember. Your self examination, and hatred of your own sins and flaws IS NOT WRONG. Ahih Yhvh highly values this, and So does Ihsous.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:3-4, KJV)