Do you believe me when I say that many great prophets and apostles in the Bible endured extreme suffering to the point of depression? First, there was Elijah. Threatened by Queen Jezebel, he fled into the wilderness, sat beneath a broom bush, and cried, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life, I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4).

Then there was Job, blameless and upright. When Job lost his children, his possessions and his health, he cried out, “Why did I not perish at birth?” (Job 3:11). Job loved God, yet his pain was so deep that he questioned the very meaning of his existence.

Paul, writing to the Corinthians, said that they were “under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself” (2 Corinthians 1:8). And Jesus, the very Son of God, entering the garden of Gethsemane, said to His disciples, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me” (Matthew 26:38).

These stories challenge some beliefs or stock phrases that many Christians carry and even say to others who are struggling: “Just pray,” “Christians should not be anxious,” “If you really trusted God, you would not be afraid,” or “A person with strong faith should always have peace and joy.”

My Personal Story

Perhaps these statements are spoken with good intentions, but when they despise someone's pain, they can leave people feeling ashamed of their own emotions and questioning whether something is wrong with their faith.

The truth is that everyone experiences life differently. What feels manageable to one person may feel overwhelming to another. One person may be able to move on quickly, but someone else might take much longer to come to terms with what has happened.

Although I am not like Job or Paul, I too have my fair share of bitterness, anger, and suffering. Many times, I questioned why things had to be this way in my life. I come from a broken family, where we do not always share the same faith; and unforgiveness, ego, and pride have created deep wounds among some of my family members.

It pains me to see broken communication, resentment, and everyone living in their own different worlds, but all staying in the same house. I long for the love, attention, appreciation, and closeness I see in other families. To be honest, I’m still learning how to live through the emotional distance.

In many ways, so many of my life's good and bad decisions have been shaped by my childhood scars and traumas. Now, I understand that I cannot change the family I was born into, but I can choose what I carry forward from it.

I’ve seen how deeply hatred can damage relationships, and that has made me intentional about breaking the chain. I still struggle with depressive disorder, but I choose to build a future that is not defined by bitterness or brokenness.

God’s Spirit at Work

Going back to the biblical heroes, how can people walking closely with God still experience pain, suffering, and emotional distress? Perhaps one can be filled with the fruit of the Spirit – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23) – and still experience the ups and downs of human emotions.

Someone can live with depression and still choose to pray and stay deeply faithful. Someone can experience panic attacks and still love and trust God wholeheartedly. Someone with anxiety can still show remarkable kindness and gentleness.

Often, the fruit of the Spirit becomes most visible when life is most difficult. To love when we are hurt; to have joy when circumstances are painful, peace when everything feels chaotic, and patience while we wait; and to be faithful when suffering persists. That is the Spirit at work, who will help us in our weakness (Romans 8:26).

Conclusion

As a final thought, we can take comfort in knowing that God meets us at our lowest points. We can place our confidence in Him and cling to the comfort of Isaiah 42:3 that “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out.”

When Elijah was exhausted, afraid, and ready to give up, God did not shame him for his weakness. Instead, He met Elijah where he was with rest, food, His presence, and gentle conversation before his next journey (1 Kings 19:5-9).

God’s response is a profound picture of His tenderness towards those who are weak. We might not understand or respond well to the things happening around us, but we can be assured that Immanuel is indeed with us, always.