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Depressed, Pamela Donnan
tried hard to overcome the darkness. She read books on depression, signed up for Bible studies, one after another, prayed and prayed, and talked to a couple close friends at church about her deep dark sadness. . .but she couldn’t crawl out of her black hole.

She tried. Oh, how she tried.

Again and again. Nothing was working. Have you ever been there? Are you there now? Is a loved one?

Safe to Share?

In many churches, the stigma of depression shuts up women who sit in the pews. I’ve experienced it. So has Pamela.

She says her former pastor’s wife advised her, “Everything you need is right in here,” punctuated by a slap on the Bible cover. This woman did not suggest that Pamela talk to a counselor or see a physician. Chances are, she wouldn’t tell a diabetic in the congregation to stop taking insulin or someone with high blood pressure to flush her pills. Or a. . .

Oops, my anger is showing. 

I hate — yes, hate — the attitude among some church folks including pastors and their wives that you gotta do do do to be accepted by Jesus. One more prayer. One more program. One more, one more, more more.

FALSE. Do-do-doing — whether prescribed to a depressed woman or ANYONE — denies the gift of grace. It’s kinda like telling Jesus that his death and resurrection has no power, no use, no meaning.

The truth: As our Redeemer, Jesus took our place on the Cross and died in our stead. We deserved death, but by faith we received life in Christ. We believers are now under grace not under law.

Swallowing Lies

For a spell, Pamela swallowed the Law lie. She used to think: If only I had more faith. If only I prayed more. If only I woke earlier for my devotion. . .then maybe, just maybe, God would accept me.

At age 35, she hit bottom and wanted to go to sleep and never wake up. Ever. She ended up in the ER then on the psych floor. Doctors diagnosed severe clinical depression. Anything but surprised — for her grandfather committed suicide and numerous relatives have depression — Pamela finally got help.

Click here to listen to a podcast on the stigma of depression in the church.

Skype Counseling: When you want help for emotional problems like depression or relational problems like parenting a wayward child, why not consider biblical counseling with me? Stop by my counseling page for more information.

Counseling Hope to Your Heart,

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