You're only depressed because your life is messed up, and other such falsehoods

Guys. I've got some thoughts going through my brain that I'd like to share. It seems that in some Christian circles there is an idea floating around that Christians don't get depressed... which is not true! There is no sin that Christians are immune to, just as there is no negative effect of the fall (sin entering the world), such as an onslaught of heart-plummeting emotions and chemical/physiological reactions in your body, that is unable to harm Christians. However, in whatever life situation we find ourselves, Christ's strength is made perfect in our weakness! Amen! And trust me, I do not espouse to all of the world's teaching on what depression is, what causes it, and how to treat it. But I also am not afraid to use the term in it's proper context, and I do not think it is helpful to pretend that it is not a real thing. 

I'd also like to share a misconception by which I titled this post: "You're only depressed because your life is messed up," or even worse, "You're only depressed because YOU are messed up!" Can I remind us all of the verse which says, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.?" (1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV). Let's just be straight- we are sinners... we are ALL messed up!!! You could look at a Christian's life who is physically active, does well in school, has a great job, a loving family, beautiful clothing, and still it is possible for this person to be depressed- perhaps outside of your knowledge. Then you may also find a Christian who is struggling maintaining certain disciplines, or who does not have a job, a house, etc, who is depressed. Here's the important question:  Is the cause of example 2's depression necessarily or solely due to their particular life factors or weaknesses? No. Emotions and illnesses can come upon us (and be difficult to control) at any time, for reasons which only the Lord knows. Let us please be careful not to look down on one another with thoughts such as: "She is only depressed because her life does not look like this non-depressed Christian girl I know," or "He could get over his depression if only he would learn to be better in this area or that." Let's have the mind of Christ, be compassionate, prayerful, and helpful, and soberly remember that if God sovereignly chose to allow you to experience depression, at any point of your life- during your perfectly happy times or in the season of "the valley"- that you would wish to be treated in the same kind manner.