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b'Editor\\u2019s Note: Today\\u2019s devotion discusses depression and suicide.\\nSome people think being a Christian means you need to be happy all the time. If someone says they\\u2019re depressed, others sometimes think that person\\u2019s faith isn\\u2019t very strong and they\\u2019re doing something wrong. Can a Christian be depressed?\\nIt\\u2019s one thing to feel sad or have a bad day once in a while, but it\\u2019s completely different to have a long period of dealing with symptoms of depression: such as feelings of sadness, loss of appetite or eating too much, too much sleep or not being able to sleep, loss of interest in things you normally enjoy, or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm. Other symptoms can include irritability, tiredness, restlessness or agitation, feelings of anger, slowed thinking or moving, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, trouble thinking or concentrating, and unexplained physical pain or digestive issues.\\nThe truth is, millions of people have been diagnosed with depression and many of them are Christians. A Christian\\u2019s faith can help them get through hard times and difficult situations, but sometimes chemical changes occur in a person\\u2019s brain and they aren\\u2019t able to just think more positively and get out of that mood. They\\u2019re clinically depressed, and they need help to get better.\\nIn our Bible passage today, Elijah runs away after Jezebel threatens to kill him. He gets so depressed he prays, \\xe2\\u20ac\\u0153I have had enough, Lord\\u2026Take my life\\xe2\\u20ac\\x9d (1 Kings 19:4). It\\u2019s not that his faith was weak. After all, he had just come from the showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, proving the power of God to everyone there.\\nNo, his faith was strong, but he was exhausted\\u2026and afraid\\u2026and depressed. He needed God\\u2019s care and reassurance so he could go on.\\nIf you get depressed, don\\u2019t beat yourself up because you think you aren\\u2019t a good Christian. Instead, reach out for help and give yourself time to heal. Jesus understands, and He\\u2019ll hold you through every up and down on the journey to getting healthy again. \\u2022 Robyn Mulder\\n\\u2022 Do you ever get depressed? How is clinical depression different from having a bad day once in a while? \\n\\u2022 Who can you talk to about how you\\u2019re feeling? (A parent, a teacher, a youth leader, your doctor?) \\n\\u2022 If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or feels hopeless, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can also talk with someone via web chat at suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/\\n\\u2022 If your situation is potentially life-threatening, call 911 (or the emergency number for your area) or go to the local hospital emergency room right away.\\n\\u2022 If you need someone to talk to but are not in need of immediate help, you can set up an appointment for a one-time complimentary phone consultation with a Christian counselor through the Focus on the Family Counseling Service. In the United States, call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) weekdays 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) to set up an appointment. In Canada, book your appointment by calling 1-800-661-9800 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (Pacific Time) and ask to speak with the care associate.\\nThe Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV)\\n\\xa0\\nRead Verses:\\nGenesis 1:1-19'