Ways to Help A Depressed Friend
If you have ever walked through depression, you know what a dark place it is to be. Colors turn gray, food loses its taste, and the will to get up in the morning all but disappears; it seems the soul has died but the body is still living. It isn't something you can "snap out of" by sheer willpower. It can be tough to minister to someone suffering from a disease that isn't exactly "curable", especially if they are depressed due to a chronic illness, pain, or the death of a spouse--something you can't "fix". Everyone has good intentions, especially close friends and family, when trying to help a depressed loved one. Here are some ways you can really minister to them.
Bring Them A Meal
Since simple tasks such as cooking can be hard for a depressed person to accomplish, bringing them a meal is one way you really can help.
Babysit Their Kids
Watching children is hard anyway, much less being depressed ontop of it. Children with a depressed parent don't get to go out often, so it will not only minister to the parent, but to the children, if you babysit them for a day.
Offer to take them out, but don't beg
"Please, come on, you will feel better," "It will do you some good to get out." Getting out and participating in social events is not only a source of great anxiety for some people walking through depression, but it can actually make their depression worse once they get home, because they are so exhausted from going out. It's fine to invite them out, but if they say no, don't keep pushing it.
Pray With Them
Leading a depressed believer in a prayer is one of the kindest things you can do for them. It shows we ultimately trust the Father, and it says to the depressed friend that you aren't trying to fix it, but you are going to the one who can.
Let Them Ask Tough Theological Questions
This goes for anyone who is sick or going through a struggle. It's important to let them wrestle through the scriptures and ask tough questions about life and God. It's good to listen and not automatically start spewing out scriptures to correct them. But of course, scripture is truth, so definitely share it with them! Just because someone is depressed does not mean they are "backsliding" or walking away from the faith. Oftentimes they are just trying to cope.
Offer to Be Their Accountability Partner
Many times depressed people stop reading the Bible and praying that much. Their whole mind and soul goes on "shut down" mode at times, and oftentimes they feel too guilty and ashamed to approach God. But the Bible is life-giving and prayer is powerful, so offer to keep them accountable and encourage them to continue doing this.
Offer Financial Help
Some people become so depressed they must quit their jobs, which in turn causes financial stress in the family
Minister to the spouse
Many times the spouse of a depressed person can become depressed, as dealing with someone else's burdens 24/7 is draining. Many times the spouse must cook, take care of the kids, and be the shoulder to cry on. They are just one person, so this can become overwhelming. Offer to help the spouse in some way; pray with them, take them out to eat, offer Christian fellowship.
Proverbs 16:9...."Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."
Bring Them A Meal
Since simple tasks such as cooking can be hard for a depressed person to accomplish, bringing them a meal is one way you really can help.
Babysit Their Kids
Watching children is hard anyway, much less being depressed ontop of it. Children with a depressed parent don't get to go out often, so it will not only minister to the parent, but to the children, if you babysit them for a day.
Offer to take them out, but don't beg
"Please, come on, you will feel better," "It will do you some good to get out." Getting out and participating in social events is not only a source of great anxiety for some people walking through depression, but it can actually make their depression worse once they get home, because they are so exhausted from going out. It's fine to invite them out, but if they say no, don't keep pushing it.
Pray With Them
Leading a depressed believer in a prayer is one of the kindest things you can do for them. It shows we ultimately trust the Father, and it says to the depressed friend that you aren't trying to fix it, but you are going to the one who can.
Let Them Ask Tough Theological Questions
This goes for anyone who is sick or going through a struggle. It's important to let them wrestle through the scriptures and ask tough questions about life and God. It's good to listen and not automatically start spewing out scriptures to correct them. But of course, scripture is truth, so definitely share it with them! Just because someone is depressed does not mean they are "backsliding" or walking away from the faith. Oftentimes they are just trying to cope.
Offer to Be Their Accountability Partner
Many times depressed people stop reading the Bible and praying that much. Their whole mind and soul goes on "shut down" mode at times, and oftentimes they feel too guilty and ashamed to approach God. But the Bible is life-giving and prayer is powerful, so offer to keep them accountable and encourage them to continue doing this.
Offer Financial Help
Some people become so depressed they must quit their jobs, which in turn causes financial stress in the family
Minister to the spouse
Many times the spouse of a depressed person can become depressed, as dealing with someone else's burdens 24/7 is draining. Many times the spouse must cook, take care of the kids, and be the shoulder to cry on. They are just one person, so this can become overwhelming. Offer to help the spouse in some way; pray with them, take them out to eat, offer Christian fellowship.
Proverbs 16:9...."Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning."
