It is absolutely okay if your faith feels wobbly when depression takes hold. This feeling of spiritual dryness can be incredibly isolating, making you question everything you thought you knew. I’ve been there, thinking I must be doing something wrong because I couldn’t just “pray away” the sadness. We often mistakenly believe that strong faith means constant joy and an absence of struggle.
Finding God in the Darkness
Yet, even great figures in the Bible experienced profound despair. Think of David, who cried out in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This verse reminds us that God doesn’t distance himself from our pain; He draws near to it. It’s not about having less faith; it’s about realising that God meets us exactly where we are. Our behaviour might change, our energy might drop, but His faithfulness doesn’t.
Seeking professional help for depression isn’t a lack of faith either; it’s a practical step towards healing, utilising the resources available to us. As C.S. Lewis once wrote, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Sometimes, our pain is where we truly hear Him. Allow yourself grace in these difficult times, knowing you are not alone.
Your friend
Dariush Y.