Note: This post is part of a short series on depression from a Biblical world view.God created Adam and Eve to live harmoniously in the Garden of Eden. Their response to the serpent’s temptation changed all that. In judging the original sin, God spoke, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil, you will eat of it all the days of your life” (Genesis 3:17). Man’s sentence? “Painful toil . . . all the days of your life.” The cost of sin was levied. Disease and its ultimate outcome of death entered the world.
All manner of disease now appeared in the course of humanity. Mental illness was no exception. In the story of the first family formed, we find disturbance of the mind. When God looked with favor on Abel’s offering but rejected Cain and his offering, “Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast” (Genesis 4:5).
If you trace the definition of "downcast" through its many forms in the dictionary, you will eventually come to the word “depressed”. Cain was low in spirits. He was depressed. While one can imagine that Adam and Eve suffered a similar fate, Cain’s depression is the first one specifically described in the Word of God. But his was not the last described by a long shot.
Join us for Part III of this series where we look at some of the great Bible heroes who suffered with depression. Our destination will be God's answers to this painful dilemma as expressed in His Word.
May you feel His grace today,
Gail W.
The last Word: Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death came to all men, because all sinned . . . Death reigned.
Romans 5:12, 14 (NIV).
3 comments:
So glad to see you back in the saddle, Gail! I was thrilled to find your name in my inbox tonight! I pray that God continues to fill your heart and your pen with is thoughts so that you can teach us more regarding this very important, yet overlooked, illness effecting so many of us.
Depression seems to be getting worse, or perhaps more easily seen in our world. I have suffered with seasonal depression but nothing that keeps me from functioning for longs periods of time. My heart is both understanding and compassionate toward those who walk its course.
You're precious beyond words. Thanks for checking in... and about those snow days. Two of my least favorite words.
peace~elaine
Gail, I jogged over here from "On the Road... walking with Jesus". I have read the two post on depression (which I suffer from). There are so many around me that do not understand my illness. I will be speaking about my depression at my home church in March. I am not scared of public speaking but I am scared of how the way people treat me and my family might change due to the stigma still around the issue. Thank you for your writing on this issue and making it so clear.
Thanks for doing this series, so important.
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