God’s Answer to Anxiety, Depression, and Brokenness
May 2023
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All over the world, there are Christians suffering and hurting from anxiety, depression, and brokenness. Yes, Christians can suffer from these very things. No, it doesn’t mean that their faith is broken. However, there is an answer inside the Word of God on this very subject.
First, there are some clarifications that need to be made. Depression has many varied meanings and levels of intensity. A general definition of depression could be “an overwhelming feeling of sadness, disappointment, and frustration.” Depression can last anywhere from a few minutes to months or even years. Anxiety, much like depression, also has varying degrees of intensity and, throughout the years, it’s had many meanings and definitions attributed to it. For this article, we will define anxiety as “a constant fearful state, accompanied by a feeling of unrest, dread, or worry.”
The remainder of this article will be based on these definitions and three caveats. First, there is absolutely a possibility that depression and anxiety are caused by a physical ailment. On the other hand, there is a possibility that depression and anxiety are caused by a spiritual ailment. As the saying goes, we should never paint with a broad brush, and we should never lump everyone into the same category. No matter which one you fall under, as you read this article, God has given an answer in His Word for you.
Second, you are not alone. Other godly people have also gone through bouts of depression or anxiety. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” There is no trial or temptation that you are going through now, whether it be depression, anxiety, or a broken heart that someone else has not gone through as well. Not only that, but you also have God, who is always with you. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” No matter where we are or how we feel, God is still right there with us.
Third, be encouraged that there is an answer. It doesn’t matter if what you are going through is caused by a physical ailment or a spiritual ailment, there is an answer. Not only that, but it is the same answer. How can it be the same answer? When looking at anxiety biblically, with the definition that we gave it earlier, we see that there are many Scriptures that talk about anxiety. That fearful state full of worry seen in light of Scripture tells us that, “perfect love casteth out fear” (I John 4:18). It also tells us to be anxious for nothing (Phil. 4:6), and to take no thought for tomorrow (Matt. 6:34). Now we start viewing our anxiety as having a solution. Did you know that anxiety and depression are linked scripturally?
Proverbs 12:25 says, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” The word heaviness here should have been translated as “anxiety.” In the Hebrew, the phrase “makes it stoop” means “to bow down or to depress.” With these meanings, it would read, “anxiety in the heart of a man makes it depressed.” Biblically speaking, the source of depression is anxiety. David was anxious about unrepentant sin and is found in a depressed state in Psalm 38. Job was anxious about losing everything and cursed the day that he was born. Elijah was anxious about evil leaders in charge of Israel in I Kings 19. You see, depression and anxiety are linked scripturally. That also means that they have the exact same answer.
Matthew 12:20-21 says, “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.” This is a prophecy found in Isaiah 42:3-4 as well speaking of Jesus Christ. First of all, it says that Jesus will not break a bruised reed. A bruised reed is a symbol of an already weak element, a reed, which has been trampled on. This is saying that Jesus will not take a broken, weak reed and completely rend it to pieces. Think of this as someone with anxiety. Fear has crippled you. Your worry has made it impossible for you to go on. You are hanging on, but you feel beaten and bruised. Every day just seems hard to even get through the small tasks of life. Jesus has not come to finish you off. Jesus has come to make you whole again. Anxiety might feel like it has you beaten and broken, but God can free you from this bondage of anxiety.
The next part of Matthew 12:20 says, “and smoking flax shall he not quench.” A flax, here, is speaking of a candle or a lamp. Smoking signifies that the flame has just gone out and all that is left is smoke. This is saying that Jesus is not here to quench, or extinguish the flame that is left on the wick. This is a picture of someone in depression—someone overwhelmed by feelings of sadness, guilt, and disappointment. Your fire is almost out, but Christ has come to set your life on fire again.
The answer to both anxiety and depression is the same: “In His name shall all the Gentiles trust.” Your answer is found in the name above all other names. Your answer is found in Jesus Christ. When you find yourself in the darkness of depression, speak the name of Jesus. When you find yourself filled with worry, speak the name of Jesus. The answer for what you seek really is found in the cross of Christ. Depression is broken there. Anxiety is broken there. Your brokenness is made whole. All of this is found at the foot of the cross. Speak out His name and watch what God can do for you.
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