Why do people get depressed? How is it that people of faith can also struggle with depression? While there can be biological reasons for depression, most cases can be dealt with by directly addressing distorted thoughts. Feelings come from thoughts and thoughts come from beliefs.

If you are struggling with depression, see if any of these false beliefs are tripping up your thinking. Pain and suffering are an unfortunate part of life, but when negativity becomes chronic, something is amiss. God wants us to turn from falsehood and the lies of the enemy, so we can fully enjoy Him.

1. Perfectionism: You see things as either all good or all bad. If you fall short somewhere, you see yourself as completely bad or worthless. In reality, no person or thing on earth is completely good (only Christ was). God wants us to rest in his grace since the demand for perfection was taken care of at the cross. (Mark 10:18)
2. Negativity: You see everything from a negative perspective. You see a single negative occurrence as a never-ending pattern and completely dismiss the positive aspects. In reality, God wants us to have a redemptive perspective. This isn’t wishful thinking, but we should see God’s good intent in all things, with trust that He makes all things come together for good. (Romans 8:28)
3. Fortune Telling: You jump to a negative conclusion even though you don’t have the evidence to support your reasoning. You may negatively predict what people are thinking, without asking. Or you may predict that something may end up badly even though you don’t have the proof. Only God knows the future and knows the minds of other people. (Ecclesiastes 8:7, 1 Corinthians 2:11)
4. Judgmentalism: You judge yourself or your situation from a distorted human perspective. You label yourself, or you magnify the negative and minimize the positive. Like the Pharisees, you are legalistic toward yourself and live by “shoulds” and rules which only leads to shame. God wants you to live by His grace. Only He is the perfect judge and can perfectly discern your situation. (1 John 3:18-21)
5. Self-Pity: You see yourself as the cause of negative events even though you aren’t responsible. Or you base your view of reality on your own personal emotions. Ironically, a form of pride and self-centeredness. (Philippians 2:3)
   

Tres Adames, BA, MDiv is a Christian counselor in Phoenix, Arizona. He works with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, self-esteem, addiction, and relationships. If you are interested in reading more, sign up for his newsletter and receive a free resource guide. 

Ever had mixed feelings? Ever done something so completely unlike who you really are? We all have. What brings such confusing emotions?

The heart can be divided against itself. One part can desire one thing while another part desires something completely different. Sometimes those desires are good and sometimes they are sinful and unhealthy.

Different parts of your heart react differently to various circumstances in your life. Some parts help you manage the situation well but sometimes try to take more control than what is healthy or effective. Using self-condemnation and harsh judgment on yourself will only lead to depression and anxiety. Trying to be controlling and manipulative toward other people will also backfire.

On the other hand, there are other parts that try to deflect or drown out pain. This is where addiction comes in. Addiction isn’t regulated to only drugs and alcohol but any activity that is used to distract the real issue that needs to be addressed. Maybe it’s a compulsion to stay busy or spend hours online.

Whatever it is, the parts that try to control and the parts that try to indulge act in ways that are sinful and against what God wants for our benefit. This is the sinful nature, the bent toward sin we all must wrestle with.

How do we reconcile these different parts of our heart that war against what truly best for us? It takes wisdom and more than anything, the personal presence of Christ to bring transformation. This is the process of sanctification as all parts of the heart are slowly brought under God’s lordship, influence, and transformation.

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