Editor’s Note: This article is written by Theron St. John as part of our series on finding hope in the midst of depression. In this series, our counselors are helping people understand the reality of depression and how God sustains and helps those who are depressed. View the Series Page here.
“These were supposed to be the best years of my life.” John, a 21-year-old college student, sat across from me with a sullen look.
After graduating high school with honors, John anticipated a new season of independence from his parents and the pursuit of a career. Yet, from his arrival on campus, he had problems. The transition from high school to college proved hard for John as the pressures of academics were met with a part-time job to cover expenses. Additionally, he lacked the support system he had at home. His excitement for independence turned into feelings of isolation.
John’s discouragement led him to discontentment with his college experience, which brought him to despair about his place in life. While he had battled depressing thoughts for the first couple of years in college, it was not until he realized he was on the road to destruction that he reached out for help.
The counsel John needed is the same counsel all college students dealing with depression can find in the wisdom of God’s Word. It involves honesty, examining, listening, and praying.
1. Honesty About Your Depression
The first step in finding help as a college student is honesty about your struggle with depression. Often, feelings of despair are accompanied by shame and fear. There may be shame because of the expectation from other Christians that we should not ever struggle with depression. Passages like Philippians 4:4 and James 1:2 may be used to tell a person who may feel down that they must find joy in the Lord.
While it is true our joy and hope are to be in the Lord, merely offering “trite truths” misses the point of helping a depressed young person. Making comments shuts down sharing, but asking questions invites honest conversation.
The Psalms offer a framework for the college student to be honest about depression. Psalms 42 and 77 describe the psalmist’s suffering in bleak terms even while they wrestle with their hope in God and trust in His works amid their struggle. For college students who can resonate with the human experience of the Psalms, they find an honest voice to their suffering and a hopeful reminder of their Savior.
2. Examining the Reasons for Your Depression
The second step for college students addressing their depression is to examine the reasons they are experiencing depression. This is a critical step because finding help in God’s Word is more than just looking at specific passages that speak of despair and relate to depression. While passages like Psalms 42 and 77 are pertinent to the discussion, further questions help to dig deeper and uncover root issues.
This involves asking questions about certain areas of a person’s life. Particular challenges for college students must be examined, such as academic pressures, social and friendship struggles, financial strains, a change of season in life, and the transition to adulthood. Considering these factors will help you discover underlying beliefs about your identity, where you look for security and acceptance, or how you stand with the Lord.
3. Listening to God’s Word
When you examine the factors contributing to depression, you can detect lies you believe as a college student and combat them by listening to the truth of God’s Word.
For the college student distraught over the B- they received on their latest test, you need to hear your identity is not earned by what you do. It is found in what Christ has done for you on the cross (Romans 3:23-26).
For the college student who feels alone and rejected by classmates, your acceptance and security is not found in the number of friends you have. It is found in Christ by faith (Philippians 3:9).
For the college student who is heartbroken over the injustice they see in the world, you must trust the Lord is faithful and just (Deuteronomy 32:4), exactly like He has been in saving you (1 John 1:9). You must hold onto the truth that one day He will make all things right (Revelation 21:3-5).
4. Praying with Perseverance
The solution to depression is not a “take these two Bible verses in the morning” prescription. The struggle with depression requires praying with perseverance. We cannot fight this battle in our own strength, only in the Lord’s strength (Ephesians 6:10). In the weakness of our darkest moments, we need to turn to the Lord and rest in His grace and strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
For young people facing depression, the fight is not always short-lived. That is why perseverance must be through the strength of the Lord. The weight of depression can be crushing. That is why approaching God’s throne of grace in prayer is lifegiving. Dealing with depression must be bathed in prayer with perseverance.
Whether you are a college student struggling with depression or know of a young person who seems to be feeling down, you can find help in God’s Word.
