Depression Anxiety

There is no depression/anxiety bacteria that can be identified, there are no blood or lab tests to determine if a person has depression/anxiety. PET scans, MRIs, and EEGs cant identify depression/anxiety.Since there is no test we have to rely on Dr's. These *experts* will usually admit they are practicing. They are guessing. There are 100s of mind drugs available and Dr's. will tell you that one may work as well as another. Its a gamble. These drugs take 6 to 8 weeks to work so that's alot of waiting and guessing. Alot of faith in a little hope. We are so quick to label sin problems, selfishness and personality flaws as a *medical condition*. Drs have pills....not discernment. Sometimes its easier to pop a pill than repent or wait.

Certainly there are people that suffer with true medical clinical mental illness. The kind that takes Doctors, medicine and perhaps even hospitalization. This is a legitimate illness but should be treated very carefully since it affects the mind....the very place where we have our relationship with God. If we drug and numb our minds then could we be numbing the very voice of God.Depression and anxiety are God ordained at times. To make us cry out. To chasten us. To love us.To humble us. To teach us compassion. So we can have fellowship with Him through suffering. What if God is using mental illness as the agent to save us and change us and we don't even consider Him? We numb His voice with drugs and pop psychology.

The word *witchcraft* in the King James is translated pharmakia. Sound familiar? The Greek word “pharmakia” literally means “drugs”. There is a connection between all these drugs and witchcraft. Are psychiatrist and MDs that dole out all these drugs modern day Witch/Doctors? Only these modern types are much better paid and respected than their predecessors.I am not heartless. I am not even 100% clear on where I stand on these issues. I think that there are no doubt some people who need drugs but wow! I cannot believe how many Christians take pills for everything.

David had depression and anxiety...the Psalms are full of examples. Paul said he was afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. Job prayed that the day he was born would be blotted out. All these men never turned to sorcery/witchcraft/pills. Are we shaking off the Lords chastening/teaching when we take these pills? If you have never wrestled with mental illness and have no compassion then you cant really judge.

King Nebuchadnezzar ate grass and had fingernails like a bird. Clearly he was mentally ill. He went through a God ordained season of chastening. When Nebuchadnezzar came out of his time of chastening he was a changed man “I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked to heaven. I was given my mind back and I blessed the High God, thanking and glorifying God, who lives forever.......“At the same time that I was given back my mind, I was also given back my majesty and splendor, making my kingdom shine. All the leaders and important people came looking for me. I was reestablished as king in my kingdom and became greater than ever. And that’s why I’m singing -- I, Nebuchadnezzar -- singing and praising the King of Heaven:“Everything he does is right, and he does it the right way. He knows how to turn a proud person into a humble man.”