Hope for the Depressed Woman: Week 3 – Medication or Meditation

by July 27, 2015

Welcome to Week 3 of Hope for the Depressed Woman. If you missed the first two posts of this series you can view them here – Week 1: Slow Down and Week 2: Breaking the Silence. Throughout this series I am sharing my personal experience with depression and the things I learned along the way. I don’t share this to glorify myself or to give medical or physical advice (I’m not a doctor or counselor), but I share from a deep place of my heart that once ached with feelings that I could not understand. God has freed me from depression and I hope sharing my personal experience will encourage you if you have struggled in this area of life.

HOPE FOR THE DEPRESSED WOMAN: WEEK 3 – MEDICATION or MEDITATION

I picked up the phone and made the call. I never thought I would be going to a doctor’s appointment to discuss my feelings.

My head pounded in rhythm with my heart as I waited for the doctor to enter the room. The white paper crunched as I tried to get comfortable and think through what I would say when the doctor asked me what was wrong. I could not come up with the words and I did not have an explanation. All I knew is that I was not myself and I had not felt normal for quite some time.

I left the office that day with a prescription and a desperate hope to feel better. After a couple weeks, life seemed a bit clearer. My head was not so foggy and I got through several days in a row without crying. After a short time, I was able to set the medication aside and continue my “normal” life.

I know there are many who oppose using medication for depression. The depression we are discussing in this series is not discouragement or the results of a bad week. It’s much more than that. It’s an ongoing physical issue that can’t be snapped out of overnight. Please do not misinterpret the message and the heart behind it.

There are absolutely proven physical causes for depression. I am not a doctor so I will not try to list the problems and the solutions, but I will lovingly encourage anyone who is dealing with an ongoing problem to seek a medical opinion.

The other thing I would highly encourage someone who thinks they are depressed to do is find a spiritual encourager to feed them verses of comfort and hope. If you are depressed, distressed or discouraged, God’s Word is a living, powerful comforter, healer, soother, lifter, enlightener and lover of your precious soul.

While I was going through some very dark days, there are some verses that God continually gave me that I want to share with you. I hope you can take one or two of these and make them your own precious promises for a better tomorrow or pass them on to a friend who needs a lift.

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3(ESV)

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2(KJV)

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches,
For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to You; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:6-8(NASB)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1(ESV)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13(ESV)

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13(NASB)

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Psalm 139:1-10(KJV)

If you have a verse that God has given you during a dark season of life, please share it in the comments below to encourage someone else who might be struggling.

If you think you might be depressed and have wondered if you need medical advice, it’s okay. Many people have legitimate physical reasons for the way they are feeling. Get the help you need.

Medication or Meditation? I can’t answer for you, but I know someone who can.

Love and Blessings,

Micah

If this has been a blessing to you or you know someone who could use the encouragement, PASS IT ON! And don’t forget to share your encouraging verses!

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  1. “”When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.”
    ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2‬ ‭NASB‬‬

  2. Praise God that He hears our prayers of despair, that He is there to hear us 24/7, and that He knows how we feel, for He Himself was weary, sorrowful, bereaved, betrayed, despised, humiliated, and even wrongfully put to death. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you for the beautiful, encouraging post. Linked up with you at the Weekend Brew — hope you’ll stop by Saved by Grace for a visit!
    God bless,
    Laurie

    1. Laurie, “He will never leave us or forsake us!” amen! My mom always says, “He didn’t bring us this far to leave us.”

  3. I have battled depression since my teen years. I will say flipping through the Psalms while I was in college helped. And you are right, it generally is not something that one can simply snap out of. Also, we must realize we are in a very real spiritual battle. Satan, the enemy of our souls, very much wants to bring us down and take us out of the war against him. We must remember the reality of spiritual (demonic) oppression against us.

    1. Rachel, the Psalms always helped me on my hard days too, and continually help me to this day! Thanks for sharing!

  4. We all go through it at least once in our lives. For some, it is necessary to be medicated but I do believe that medicine won’t work unless you fix your mindset. Because our minds control our being.

    Very well written. :)

    1. It’s amazing how our minds affect our actions. I love Romans 12:2 “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

  5. Wonderful post & series. Sometimes it takes one or the other to handle depression. Sometimes it takes both. So grateful He leads & guides each of us so that we find wholeness in Him. Blessings!

  6. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

  7. Excellent and so balanced. I’ve watched my mum in her depression for years, stubbornly refusing even to try medication. Who knows — she may be correct, and maybe it would not work, but maybe it would! God uses medication, the skill of physicians, surgery, chemo — and His own majestic power — in the process of healing. We are short-sighted when we limit Him.

  9. Hi Micah, I met you very briefly at She Speaks and exchanged business cards with you. Thank you for sharing this post. I, too struggled with depression, to the point of needing medication, and am still on it. I get really frustrated when I hear Christians talk negatively about medicating depression, especially those who haven’t walked that road. For me, the combination of medication and lots of time spent in the Word and in prayer seemed to be what I needed to have complete healing. I have learned to be okay with that, and I know that God does not condemn me for using medication.

    A couple of scriptures that I held onto during my darkest days were Psalm 91–He is our refuge, our protector, our deliverer. Isaiah 43:1-3 was also very helpful–He knows us by name, we belong to Him, He will not let us be consumed by the “rivers” or the “fire”.

    1. Michelle, thank you so much for sharing your own experience and your “go to” verses! I know it will be a blessing to someone! So glad we got to meet face to face!

  10. What a great post, Michelle! I think your series is so good, and I am going to keep it handy for future use and to help others.

    One of my wise mentors would counsel women who were dealing with grief and depression that it was always wise to get a check up and talk to a doctor! She also taught me the wisdom of wise godly advisors and mentors as well.

    Praying God will use your message to help many~
    Came over on Soul Survivor.
    Hope you have a blessed day~
    Melanie

  11. sometimes we need the help of medication to get into the habit patterns that will help us live in a way that will help us maintain a healthy lifestyle ie. regular exercise, healthy eating, regular meditation in god’s word, work with a counselor that helps us with the issues we need to deal with…that we often are unaware of without the symptom of depression.

    medication is not meant to be a permanent solution for sure, but it helps until we get our lifestyle in place and function in it….often finding underlying medical issues as well.

    great series so far:)

    1. Martha, I love the how you bring all aspects to the table! Thank you! I know there are many who need to discover the underlying issues and develop good habits. Thanks for reading and weighing in!

  12. Your words speak gently and honestly about depression and your own personal experience. I love how you balanced today’s post with speaking about both medication and meditation. I also believe that it could take both but knowing always that we have God who speaks truth into our lives is the perfect way to move forward. Blessed you shared this at The Weekend Brew.

    1. Mary, I always love it when you come over! “Knowing always that we have God who speaks truth into our lives…” If only we would listen. Thank you for this wonderful reminder!

  13. I didn’t know I was depressed until after the depression had passed (how’s that for clueless?). Obviously, it wasn’t a life-threatening depression, but I’m convinced if I would have recognized it for what it was, I wouldn’t have suffered as long. I urge anyone who thinks they might be depressed to get help! Medication, meditation on God’s words and reading good books are all keys to recovery.

    1. Sometimes it’s hard to see it. For me, I thought it would never happen to me. Yes, I hope and pray if there is someone reading this that is on the edge of reaching out for help that they will. Thanks for sharing your story!

  14. Hi Micah, your approach to this delicate subject is honest and loving. You are able to share from your heart, and that empathy shines through in your writing. I KNOW in my heart this series is impacting someone’s life in a positive way. Thank you for being obedient to what He wants you to do. Blessings!

    1. Kristine, it was such a privilege to meet you face to face this weekend! Thank you for your kind encouragement!

  15. This is such a great post and a too often ignored topic – loving this series. I think depression is something I have learned to manage sometimes with medication sometimes without – depends where I am at the time. Everyone is different and there is no guilt or stigma to medication which many struggle with – I think you have hit a really good balance here. My depression often causes horrfiic nightmares so my comfort verse is:
    “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone make me dwell in safety” Psalm 4:8

  16. There have been many times when I have felt completely overwhelmed by my circumstances and the feelings that accompanied them. My favorite verse during this time is more of the cry of my heart, Psalm 61:2 “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
    Thank you for sharing Micah!

  17. Powerful verses shared here, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1(ESV).” Thank you for being a part of the #RaRaLinkup. Cheering you on, Micah, as you make Him known.

  18. Micah, This is beautiful. I love this– “God’s Word is a living, powerful comforter, healer, soother, lifter, enlightener and lover of your precious soul.” And the verse that says “my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.” I need that every day. :) So nice to meet you and your Mom this weekend. I hope you had an amazing time!

  19. Thank you! I’m on medication and have been for quite some time, and I’ve seen so much of God’s healing through this time. Such an excellent post!

  20. Great post and great series, Micah! Many struggle with depression and you have provided great encouragement and inspiration here. Peace and many blessings to you, sweet friend! :-)

  22. Micah- I’m praying that your honest and beautifully-written words help change minds and hearts about depression. It’s a mental and physical illness and there is much hope when we treat it as such. May God use your story to bring that hope to others. Thanks for sharing it!

  24. He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay (froth and slime), and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings. ~ Psalm 40:2 …. Really the whole chapter is wonderful.
    I’ve been there too Micah…not believing I’m in the Dr’s office trying to put words on all.the.feelings that just aren’t quite right. Thanks for sharing your experiences and shedding a light on depression in order to help someone else. ♥

  26. Such a complex illness, isn’t it. There’s often a physical component that needs to be addressed and treated. And because we’re fearfully and wonderfully made, that certainly impacts our spiritual life, our emotional wellbeing.

    Anger’s often swirling around inside, too … hurt, frustration, fear untended, unhealed.

    I know this because I’ve been there, done that. And have also worked with women for over a decade as a counselor. I know this to be true – there is healing, there is hope.

    Thanks for going there, Micah.

  27. I’m loving this series ! I think you would fit well in my very first link up I’m hosting tomorrow
    “learn from each other”
    over at my blog Amanda Unfolded
    uniquelyunfolded {dot} com
    hope to see you over there ! :)

  28. Depression is such a hard thing. I appreciated you’re post and the verses you shared. Sometimes medication can help and that can be a blessing.

  29. I can not tell you how much this series has helped me minister to a college girl that I counsel! She has grappled with this very thing in her depression journey! Micah, you have been a huge inspiration and I thank you!! Thanks for sharing on MMM! :-)
    Cathy

  30. Hi Micah, this was a really good post. I’m keenly aware of the viewpoint of some of our brothers and sisters in regards to medication for depression. What I don’t know, is what facts they’re based on (scripturally speaking). I’ve had to take medication for years – there’s just no way around it. I’m a devout Christian, completely in love with my LORD and I still have to have medicine. I’m bi-polar manic depressive with PTSD and a seizure disorder. Add fibromyalgia and CFS to those and it’s a recipe for disaster unmedicated!
    I have so many Scriptures that save me in the valleys, too many to list, but here are a couple.
    “Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.” Psalm 69:17
    “Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray.” Psalm 5:2
    “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:17-18
    God is good – all the time; on the mountain and in the valley of despair. I don’t doubt for a minute that without Him, I’d have no chance – medication or not.

    1. Jodee, thank you so much for sharing your own experience and encouraging verses. What an inspiration you are! “God is good – all the time; on the mountain and in the valley of despair. I don’t doubt for a minute that without Him, I’d have no chance – medication or not.” Me too, Jodee. Thank you for sharing your heart.

  31. Micah, thanks for “going there” on this most important topic. I want to go on record as saying that I have struggled with depression, and I will be eternally thankful for the co-workers who pointed me toward a wonderful Christian psychiatrist. With her wise help, I was able to get on medication and get on the road to well being again. I have since tapered off, but would have been happy to have stayed on my meds if need be. I have come to see that there are many folks out there who are struggling and not seeking the care that they need because of the stigma that is sadly associated with it for many. Taking meds is not a sign of weakness or lack of faith — it’s a healthy choice for those who are facing overwhelming anguish.

    Much love to you as you continue to write and share on this topic.

  32. Well said. I appreciate how you approached this topic.

    Psalm 6 is close to my heart. It demonstrates the pain of suffering while still turning to God and maintaining faith.

  34. Micah, I am so thankful you are doing this series. It is such a needed topic and so many women fear getting the help they need due to judgement. I struggled after babies and after significant traumatic life events. Even with my spiritual life intact and a solid set of tools to combat unhealthy thoughts, medication was needed to stop the vicious cycle. Like you, once able to step out, we are able to apply all of our tools and find the way back to health. There are also many people who will need to be on medication for life. Just as our heart may necessitate blood pressure meds or our thyroid need regulation, so too does our brain. I love stopping by here and visiting! You have a beautiful spirit and words to go with it! :-)
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

  35. I admire women and men who speak up about their personal meet-up with Mr. Depression. I used to think I´m tough and would never succumb to it, but how wrong. Down the road I struggled with depression not once, but thrice, even four times. It can be caused or triggered by different factors but the pain and loneliness are just as bad. Thanks for sharing this crucial message. God is our greatest healer.

    On the other note, I´d like to invite you to contribute to my mag´s next issue. But I couldn´t find your contact form or address. Drop by my place if you can, I´d like to chat with you about this possibility.

    Best,
    Glee

  36. Thanks for addressing the issue of depression. So many are suffering silently. I like that you’ve used “Hope” in the title, because so often, when we are in the fog of depression, we feel things will never get better. We need to know we won’t always feel the way we do now.
    We are physical and spiritual beings, so healing doesn’t need to be either or–it can be both (medication and meditation).

    your neighbor at Sandra’s Still Saturday

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