How would you define depression? Is it simply sadness, or does it go beyond the
emotions of a bad day? Does depression include emotions, or does it go past our feeling and touch our physical bodies leaving us tired and unable to get out of bed? While some experience this more than others, an increasing number of Christians are afflicted with depression. Though it may seem to be a contemporary issue, many saints of the past also walked the path of depression. Men like Charles Spurgeon, C.S. Lewis, Martin Luther, and William Cowper, all experienced the pain of depression.
Not only can we look to the past for comfort and instruction, but we can also look to the Bible. It testifies to its own sufficiency to aid in our growth as Christians and helps us think rightly about this struggle. It speaks to the issue of depression as the author of Psalm 42 wrote, "My tears have been my food day and night" and then spoke of his soul being "cast down" and "in turmoil within me"(Psalm 42:3, 5). Another biblical example of a great man of God who appeared to have struggled with depression is Elijah, the one who called down fire from heaven, who, even after witnessing God's power in such an awesome way, felt as though he had no hope in his situation and concluded that death was better than life saying, "O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers" (1 Kings 19:4).
Beyond the examples and instruction concerning depression, the Bible speaks to all
believers to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31). One way to obey this command is to "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). This is the focus of Anchored. Anchored is a ministry of Canyon Bible Church whose goal is to bring Christians together to comfort other Christians with "the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3–4). Our prayer is that anyone struggling with depression would be comforted by support, love, prayer, and biblical instruction. In Anchored, we make it our mission to help and encourage suffering believers by pointing them to the anchor for their soul, Jesus Christ, through biblical instruction and compassionate support.
Anchored meets on the second Monday of every month from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM at 114 S Marina Street in the building next to the Solid Rock chapel. Please contact Pastor Josh if you have any questions.