Depression

I have faced a question over the years: Is depression a medical/psychological issue or is it demonic oppression?

Those who deal with mental illness know that it’s quite real. Those who don’t may scratch their heads and say: “Just pull yourself together, Pray through it, etc.” 

Demonic oppression is also real. Our enemy as Christians is very real and he has an agenda that includes our demise. But God has an agenda too, IF we will join Him in it. This is our choice and our “will”, God will not override our human choice.

Some Christians believe that if a believer takes their own life, it’s murder and that person will go to Hell. This is how I was raised, but I don’t agree with this thinking any longer. 

I have fought against thoughts of suicide myself many times during deep bouts of depression. I have a chemical imbalance that requires medication, a mental illness. But with the medication, those thoughts are gone! And I praise God for the medical help.

During these bouts of depression, and suicidal thoughts, was it demonic oppression or mental imbalance? From my personal experience, I can say that both are true. I could feel the oppression to give up and let go of life. How much better it would be for me to be free and my family to go on without me. I knew this was self-centered thinking and not of God! But the depression was very real.

Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)