The only cure for anhedonia in the Bible, and it’s not drugs or therapy
What is anhedonia?
Anhedonia is the loss of pleasure and interest in enjoyable activities, making it hard to sustain happiness. For example, a skilled ballet dancer may suddenly find no joy in dancing. In short, the brain’s pleasure circuits are turned off. [Armand Ribot]
Doctors often mislabel anhedonia as extreme depression or melancholia. Like chronic depression, it is psychological and usually triggered by circumstances but also genetic. [Nature]
However, much of our knowledge about mental diseases cannot always be blamed physiologically. Mental illnesses are also rooted in our sinful nature. But hope is found in Christ, and He alone can set us free.
John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
The only cure for anhedonia, depression, or melancholia
Whether it’s schizophrenia, depression, or melancholia, these mental disorders begin in the brain. That is why the Bible tells us to strive for the “Mind of Christ,” not of carnality (1 Cor. 2:13-16).
Only Jesus can free our minds from the lies of the enemy Satan, who wants us to believe we’re hopeless and condemned (Romans 8:1). The only treatment for anhedonia is God’s love embodied by what Jesus did for us.
Satan can play tricks on our minds
Remember, Satan is a deceiver (Revelation 20:10) and can blind our minds (2 Corinthians 4:4). He wants to devour us, and the most common lie he tells us is that we have no hope. What follows is depression, and on the extreme is anhedonia.
Science acknowledges the correlation between prayer and healing. Therefore, pray and ask for the ‘peace of God’ that transcends all understanding. Only through Jesus can we find true and lasting healing—just as He promised to those who belong to Him.
Philippians 4:8
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
FURTHER READING:
Are you depressed?
Biblical steps to overcome depression.
The root cause of depression.
