I’m a ministry leader who has been on meds to help with depression, and still uses those meds on an as-needed basis. Whew, I said it!

Leaders tend to be a proud bunch. We lean toward projecting an image of having it all together. This false image includes: faith that rarely if ever wavers; a marriage better than most; no struggles with anger or lust; being impervious to emotional pain, etc. You get the picture—now excuse me for a minute while I throw up.

This pristine image leaders tend to project is not only out of touch with reality—it’s nauseating. It hurts us and the people we lead. It keeps us from the authentic relationships we need to get/stay healthy. It drains energy when we pretend we’re better than we really are.

Ministry-leader-pride often prevents us from asking for help when we’re struggling. So when it comes to the subject of medicine, especially the antidepressant variety, we think: “Medicine? Me? No way! Taking antidepressant meds would signal defeat. Or a lack of faith. I’ll just will my way through depression.”

Here’s the problem with that line of thinking: Depression doesn’t respond to the sheer force of your will. It’s a whole-person problem that needs to be addressed on multiple fronts simultaneously. Depression has many components: physical, emotional, relational, schedulational (I made that word up) and spiritual (it’s easier for the devil to whisper lies to you when you’re depressed). Getting emotionally healthy requires a full-court press—you have to relentlessly attack depression on multiple fronts. One of those fronts often includes medication.

A general bias exists in the Church against using antidepressants. When this bias surfaces at Q&A sessions after I give a talk on emotional health, I ask the audience a series of questions: “How many of you take pain reliever for a migraine headache? How many of you would have no problem taking insulin if you were diabetic? Would you use pain medication if you were recovering from surgery?” “How about taking an antibiotic when you have an infection?” Most reasonable people in the audience nod their head in agreement.

Taking antidepressant medication when you’re depressed is no different than taking insulin if you’re diabetic. Medication has the potential to stabilize you emotionally so you can work on the roots of your depression. Be aware meds alone will not bring full recovery—but they allow a better chance for healing to occur. Work closely and collaboratively with your doctor when it comes to using medication. And if you are strongly opposed to using meds for yourself—keep that between you and God. Don’t promote your position as the standard.

Ministry leader, it’s not a lack of faith to use medicine. It doesn’t diminish your leadership. God uses prayer to heal. He uses doctors to heal. And He uses medicine to heal. He is the source of all healing… but He uses a variety of ways to bring it about. Sometimes He utilizes a combination of these methods.

For many, antidepressant medication is needed only for a season. For a few, it’s needed long-term. If you’re depressed, the goal is not getting off the meds. The goal is health.

So… can a pastor, missionary, or any other ministry leader direct a ministry effectively while on antidepressant meds? Yes. Yes. Yes. If you’re suffering with depression, use every tool available to you—counseling, exercise, diet, laughter, increased calendar white space; time spent with replenishing friends—and meds when needed—to get better.

I’m rooting and praying for you!