I Just Can't Take It Anymore!

[Michael Shanlian Ph.D.]

Sometimes the stresses of life become unbearable. Mountains of debt, sickness, failure in relationships, careers etc… take their toll on our mind and body. When the pressures heat up to a boiling point something has to give. Some people internalize these pressures and are ashamed to speak to someone because they are embarrassed. Others act out by abusing themselves with drugs, alcohol or out of control sexual exploits. Some may abuse family members or friends or even turn to violent acts that lead to rape or murder.

I cannot tell you the hundred’s of times I have heard the words, ’I just can’t take it anymore’ in my over three decades of ministry. During certain stressful moments in my life I have uttered those fateful words. Hopelessness left unchecked will destroy everything and everyone in its path. Surveys tell us that up to one in four Americans suffer from clinical depression.

What bothers me is the caviler and judgmental attitude of many in the church. I blame pastors and teachers in the church who are ignorant themselves of mental illness. They make cruel statements like, ’If they would just have more faith, or just get your heart right and your depression will end’!

Clinical depression is a chemical imbalance of the brain. There are natural chemicals like Serotonin which give a feeling of wellbeing that can be depleted when too much adrenalin is released into the bloodstream during stressful situations. Doctors can give the patient Serotonin injections which restores the chemical imbalance and returns the patient to a normal mental state.

What drove me to write this post was an article I read in our denominational paper talking about pastors who are clinically depressed to the point of suicide. In our state we have had four pastors take their life in the past several years because they were depressed and did not receive the proper help. The reason for this is that many pastors believe they will be fired if they admit they struggle with this debilitating problem. What a tragedy that the church they love and serve cannot or will not help them because of the so-called stigma attached to mental illness.

Listen to what James says, James 5:16 (AMP), “Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]”. Confessing our struggles is the pathway to healing. Many Christians look down on those who struggle with depression and those professionals dedicated to help them. I believe that if the Church heeded James admonition there would be less mental illness among pastors and those in the congregation.

The Church must hear and help heal those brothers and sisters who suffer with this terrible affliction. This is not the time to pile on and make their lives more miserable. Shame on us if we ever through ignorance or blatant actions pile more hurt on these souls that God loves! Who knows, one day you may utter those words, ‘I just can’t take it anymore”! I pray to God that your Church will facilitate your healing, instead of adding to your misery.

　

[Michael Shanlian Ph.D.]

My dear sister Jacqueline,

Thank-you for your kind words. I have never seen a time in my thirty-six years of ministry so many Christians and leaders who suffer from anxiety and stress. They have to live underground because they know if anyone in the church found out about their depression they would be ostracised. I love your suggestion of a Restoration Committee. I am currently teaching a series on Sunday night at our church on this subject. I have had more people thank me because like you, they have been misunderstood and mistreated.

It is time for Christians to stop shooting their wounded and bind up and bear each others burdens. Isn't their a Scripture that says, "When one member of the body suffers, the whole body suffers.?" I think many of our self-righteous brothers and sisters seem to overlook that verse!

[Dr. Henry, President of the AOCI]

Dr. Shanlin, thank you for this much needed article. God bless you, your family, and your ministry.