The fourth of May 2018 marked another day of a Worldwide Bible Exposition held by the Members Church of God International (MCGI), led and hosted by Bro. Eli Soriano and Bro. Daniel Razon, the Overall Servant and Assistant to the Overall Servant, respectively.

A diverse set of questions concerning various matters of faith, religion, and spirituality was given Bible-based answers through the symposium. A highlight among these was a question from a guest based in Melbourne, Australia about depression and suicide.

A Query About Depression and Suicide

“Does God know everything happening in the world today? If He does, why does he let people suffer many things including depression?” Inquired by the visitor from Melbourne, Australia, then added “What happens to those who commit suicide because of depression?”

Bro. Eli began his response by mentioning “free will”. Humans and angels were provided by God the liberty to choose, said Bro. Eli, and with this free will that individuals have, it is wrong to blame God for whatever consequences result from their choices.

Who usually suffer from depression? Bro. Eli remarked that most times, they are the people who refuse to follow God. Because a follower and a believer of God always has hope and is not prone to feel depressed. Written in I Peter 5:7, the people of God have Him to care for them. In Philippians 4:6-7, it also says:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (King James Version).

True Christians Do Not Suffer from Depression

There are no true Christians who suffer from depression, Bro. Eli reiterated. Though in the Bible, there were people of God who went through many difficulties in life, such as Jeremiah, Job, and David, yet they were not depressed, nor did they commit suicide. All because they had the Almighty Father whom they depended upon.

Moreover, Bro Eli also said that for those who commit suicide due to many reasons, it is not right to judge what will happen to them and their souls. He then concluded his answer with a friendly reminder: “If we have problems, there are solutions. If we can no longer bear these problems, let us leave it all to God. Don’t feel depressed, just listen to the words of God and you will have hope in life.”

Written by: Elizabeth Borromeo