How to Minister to a Depressed Husband

Weary.  Overwhelmed.  Downtrodden.  Depressed.

Every person experiences these feelings at some point in their lives, but it is how we handle these emotions that truly matters.  Sometimes when our husbands fall or get pushed into a pit of depression they need us, their wives, to help them get out or our situation will get much worse.  This is what one wife is dealing with in her marriage.  Here’s her story…

Dear Jolene,

I have been married to a Christian man for 26 years. My husband suffered from depression 7 years ago, and also 3 years ago.  Last time, he never got his zest for life back.  He is working, but absolutely hates his job. I work for my husband doing his office /administrative work. He has lied to me on several occasions over the past several months. He has told me he has seen specific clients, and I get a call from them wondering where he has been. I feel like his mother and his boss. Every time it happens he is sorry, sorry for lying to me, sorry before God…but then it happens again.  He is the only one making an income in our house.  I am by nature a very positive upbeat person. I try to be encouraging. I just can’t take it any more. I don’t feel like forgiving, to be hurt all over again. He says this time is different…this time it will change….this time he will change his attitude towards work. How can I trust him at all when it comes so easy to him to lie to me? He said he did ask God to forgive him, but I can’t let it go.

Click below to hear my response.

Scripture reference:

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.  Galatians 6:1-5

Related post:  10 Things a Hurting Husband Needs from His Wife

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Live a poured out life for Christ,

Jolene Engle