why, yes, i am. on a couple of different levels. i’ve tried to not write on this. i’ve tried. and i can’t keep from it. because if any of you struggle like i have struggled you deserve to hear this.
a couple of days ago a friend wrote this about depression and anti-depressants. i had not found it until my hubby came home and asked if i had read it. so i went and read and saw that my man had stepped up to bat for me. he truly is my knight in shining armor.
and so for 2 days i have wrestled with this. comment? no, pearl handled that for me, with much class. so, i began to search myself. and asked God to search me as to why this hurt so much. i remember when he wrote the first article and just how much it hurt then too. why? as i said to my honey, “if i’m so secure in me and my decisions then why does this hurt?” and he said, “maybe you’re not so secure.” indeed, sir. what has me so upset?
because i’m not alone. because i try to use this blog as a means of ministry. because i try to urge you to be overcomers in this race. and because i try to encourage you. and if you read my links, then you read this article too. and i don’t want you to hurt.
i do agree that meds are overused. indeed. and i addressed that at length in my recent post here. please, if you haven’t read that post go read it. right now, i’ll wait…
and then read this post about another woman’s struggle and where she lands on the issue. go ahead…
and then end your journey here. are you broken?
if these battles sound familiar and they are ones that you have fought, take heart. there is help. there is a Savior that loves you and will listen to you. there is self-discipline that will help you accomplish your goals. there are therapists that are good. there is medication that will help you to think clearly and move forward.
and if you don’t know how this feels, please offer nothing except compassion. if the closest you come to understanding is that you have bad days, even really horrible things that have happened to you and you have survived them,albeit without ease, please don’t think you have been where we have been. and to add to the pain that we already deal with is.. well..
“pearl Left on 13. July 2007 at 10:07 am
I tend to land approximately where the internetmonk lands on this issue(http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/what-about-antidepressant-medication). Near the end of his article on this subject he states, “It is inappropriate and often abusive to condemn sick persons as sinful or resistant to God’s power to overthrow spiritual strongholds. Recognizing the reality of depression is a compassionate response that honors what it means to be truly human.” There’s my two cents … stolen from another man’s cents.”
6 Comments
July 16, 2007 at 10:56 am
thank you for writing about this – again. anyone who follows Christ and has struggled with depression knows this battle is hard – deciding when to succumb to meds is painful – admitting that we can’t fix this on our own by being more faithful or praying harder or begging God to just please take this away – it’s hard and scary and full of uncertainty. there is always the question in the back of your mind – did I do the right thing? and then you remember what it was like before, when you were drowning and nothing was helping and your family was being dragged down into the depths with you, and you knew you had to do something, before , dare i say it – suicide? thanks sue – you are always a comfort to my soul – even when, or maybe because, you aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions… thank God for friendship…
July 16, 2007 at 11:04 am
I did catch all of it-I thought he was absolutely wonderful for doing so!Go Matt Go Matt-it’s your birthday…..anyhow,I agree with him as well!!!
Taking medicine for depression is no more sinful(or a show of a lack of faith) than taking chemotherapy for cancer,but I cant understand why one is okay and the other is not?Who decides when medicine is okay and when it is not?
I am TOTALLY WITH YA on this,darlin.I am getting fired up…tee hee hee.Love Ya GAL!!!!
July 16, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Matt, thank you, thank you for your wonderful, calm, researched reply for all of us that are too emotionally involved in this subject to react to it in a non-emotional Christian-like way. I thank God that He gave you to us to be Suzanne’s life-partner. You two compliment each other beautifully. I love you. Jolyn
July 16, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Hi Suzanne,
When you’re weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I’m on your side. when times get rough
And friends just cant be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
When you’re down and out,
When you’re on the street,
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you.
Ill take your part.
When darkness comes
And pains is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down.
Sail on silvergirl,
Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine.
All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine.
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind.
Love, Becky
July 16, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Big hugs to you! I haven’t read all the links yet.. my little man is cryin`… but I wanted to say that the closest I get to understanding how you feel on this issue is when we were trying to get pg and EVERYONE made it seem like God was maybe making us wait b/c of some “reason” or if i’d pray more, or if I’d “relax”, etc etc etc.. then I’d magically end up knocked up. lol Yeah.. not happening! I don’t think God ‘picks on’ certain ppl.. things just happen (in my opinion). And I’m totally with K.T…. why is chemo okay for cancer but anitdepressants not okay for a true chemical imbalance that will never be solved with life coping skills and/or therapy? The only reason I can think of is b/c way too many ppl take the antidepressants thanks to docs who are more than happy to shut patients up by writing out a script rather than dealing with real issues… but anyone who thinks TRUE depression (not stress…) can be solved by everyone without medical help is insane. I was depressed as a child for YEARS (starting at age 6) and though I had therapy it didn’t help… I wonder if my suffering would have been helped by meds… or maybe worsened. Who knows, but living in hell on earth and not being able to escape isn’t something I think God wants for anyone… especially not Suzy P. who we all love so much!
July 16, 2007 at 5:39 pm
i feel like i can’t comment on posts like this because i haven’t been there. but i do want to say you shouldn’t feel guilty about getting the help you need.
and yes, you can come over anytime!