Did depression win?

As news broke this morning with the news about the tragic loss of Christian artist, Mandisa, I have struggled to put thoughts together. I’ve read the statements from other musicians who shared the stage with Mandisa … I’ve read the comments from the Facebook posts. A recurring comment has been “the depression won” … At the writing of this blog post, the cause of death hasn’t been released. There is an active investigation into her death by the authorities in Tennessee. So, the insinuation that she committed suicide is a bit off-putting. In the very least, the comment is extremely premature.
HOWEVER … “The depression won” is a common belief that is held when Christians make the tragic choice to end their lives. Since I understand this journey on an intensely personal level, I thought I’d try to put some coherent thoughts together.

{**DISCLAIMER: I am NOT saying that suicide is okay!!!! It is NOT! Suicide is murder. Murder, by definition, is the taking of an innocent life. Suicide is sin!}

DOES DEPRESSION WIN IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN WHO COMMITS SUICIDE?

I dare say that depression does NOT win in the life of a Christian who commits suicide. Why? Because of Calvary’s cross. The empty tomb. And the countless promises found in the Bible. If the life/death/resurrection of Jesus doesn’t win over everything -including depression and suicide- then it is powerless over everything!

2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”
Revelation 21:4 says, “He [Jesus] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Two verses that bring us hope -as Christians- when death occurs. Nowhere within God’s Word does it say that suicide is the unpardonable sin … once again, I’m NOT saying suicide is okay … and I’ve been in the darkness of despair and depression. I’ve tried to commit suicide more times than I want to discuss. BUT … to say that depression won is to say that depression/suicide are bigger than God. GOD FORBID!!!
This life is hard. And not all of our questions can be answered; however, we do have enough information from God Himself (in the Bible) to know that we can trust Him. The question is: are we going to actually read the Bible??

NOW … I want/need to address the mental health crisis in our nation. We are, indeed, in a crisis! A crisis that is inside the church and outside the church. For someone who has battled extensive mental health issues, this topic is one that is near to my heart. THIS ISN’T A POST TO SHAME ANYONE!
I have borne over a dozen psychiatric labels most of my life. Sometimes, there have been multiple labels at a time. Only recently has that changed! I’m not shaming anyone on medication. Sometimes, medication is needed! But, my Friend, where is the real, life-giving Hope as we fight to live?! Where do we find the grace to wake up another day in the face of life’s difficulties? I want to tell you where I have found Hope, in spite of the daily struggles. Hope that has turned my heart’s focus. From the storms that still rage … onto Him. Yes. Hope isn’t a medication or a diagnosis. Hope isn’t a therapy method. Hope is a Person … and His name is Jesus Christ.
I am discovering that Jesus is quite practical as He enters the mental health issues I face. What do I mean?

• Isolation -which is different from solitude- is breeding ground for despair. The Lord created us for relationships and community. To isolate leaves us stuck, and it’s in this stuck place that Satan -the enemy of our souls- comes to wreak havoc into our minds. In seasons where we want to be away from every person -for whatever reason- it is there where we have to set aside “self” desires to isolate and get with other people. On the flip side of this is the fact that if we know someone is struggling mentally, we’d be wise to reach out … because from personal experience, the darkness is thick. Heavy. And, at times, it can be consuming.
• Although psychiatric terms are new, the actual symptoms that people are dealing with are not new. From Genesis to Revelation, people struggled with life. Relationally. Physically. Financially. Politically. Economically. When I realized this recently, I started to understand just how practical Scripture really is. Proverbs 18:16 says, “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. (NIV)” Does having a solid foundation in Jesus Christ and looking to Him for everything solve every issue of life? No, but He gives us the framework for peace. For joy. For grief. 
• As a Christian, I’m learning that I MUST have a sound, biblical theology in regards to who God is & His sovereignty. Will it ever be comprehensive? NO! I am to discover who God is! FROM HIS WORD! And, in the process, ask Him to help me believe it so much so that it changes me.
• Based on Scripture, the scars from my painful past WILL be swallowed up in victory … because I belong to Jesus. Romans 8:28-29, 35-39 says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters … Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For Your sake we face all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)” This is one of the passages that I am asking God to help me believe so much so that it changes me. Our pasts affect us … make no mistake about it, I understand this, but one thing I’m discovering is that NO amount of processing the pain, the abuse, the trauma helps permanently. It kept me stuck in a broken past ... and, at times, the homework caused more issues. But Jesus … He’s acknowledged it. And He bore it … at Calvary. And He's made a way for me to accept my broken past with grace and to "move on."
• Pain and suffering never … NEVER … NEVER … negate the goodness/love of God.

The podcast “Truth in Love” was recommended to me … and I recommend it to you, Dear Friend. It’s a practical podcast full of truth … from people who offer real help in pointing you and me to the One who is our Hope, Jesus Christ. They address everything from PTSD (which is the first episode I ever listened to) and counseling, anger and anxiety … and a host of other things.

If you need a friend to just talk to … to help you find your way to Hope, please feel free to comment here (it’s not public until approved by me) with your email address and a message. There is real help. Real healing. Real HOPE.

If you are considering suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1800=273-8255.
Or dial 988.

​You are created imago Deo … in the image of God. You were created by God for God.
Depression will never win in the life of a Christian .. EVER!
JESUS WINS!