Depression

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God. ~ Psalm 42:5

Depression is an emotion with which many people struggle. Depression, which can also lead to despair, are sinful forms of grief. Grief is an attribute of God. For example, Jesus wept (John 11:35, Luke 19:41); the Spirit grieves (Isa. 63:10, Eph. 4:30); and the Father is sorrowful (Gen. 6:6, Psa. 78:40). Therefore, when we grieve we express that which is a part of our being as created in the imago Dei, the image of God. However, because of sin, our hearts are messed up (Gen. 3, Jer. 17:9, Prov. 4:23), and even as Christians, we do not handle grief well. So, I define depression/despair as unholy grief.

Depression manifests itself because of a feeling of loss. One may feel he or she lost their relationship with God as Psalm 42 expresses. Others may have lost a loved one in some form like death, divorce, or desertion. Still, others may have lost something valuable to them.

Another manifestation of depression is a lost hope of life, of living. The proverbs describe this manifestation of depression. “Hope deferred makes a heart sick” (Prov. 13:12). “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries the bones” (Prov. 17:22). Dashed hopes, a sick heart, a crushed spirit, and dried-up bones all relate to a depressed state. The death of hope can sap the very life from us, crushing us.

God’s Word tells us there are several biblical factors that drive depression. In Psalm 42 lost hope is what is driving the psalmist’s depression. The prophet Isaiah describes despair when one feels no one understands them (Isa. 40:25-31). Paul speaks of the struggle when our spirits are crushed (2 Cor. 4:16-18). In Psalm 38 the psalmist is driven to despair because of his own internal sin. And finally, others’ sins often drive our depression as described in Genesis 4:1-16.

I think one of the first strategies we should have when dealing with depression is running to the Psalms. Psalm 42 is a good place to start as the Psalmist deals with depression and knows his only hope is God. Martin Lloyd Jones comments, “the Psalmist is giving an account of his unhappiness, the unhappiness of his soul, the condition through which he was passing when he wrote these words.”¹ And Brian Borgman states that what the depressed or despairing person needs “is not the placebo of self-help talk, but God-centered truth. The psalms expose the heart, lay bare the emotions, and point us to God, His Word, His promises, and His ways again and again. The heart is stabilized, and faith flourishes under such circumstances.”²

Another strategy is to read others who struggle(d) with depression. Ed Welch suggests reading Spurgeon. He states, “The Shepherd’s flock—whether undershepherds or sheep—can profit from Spurgeon’s words. Consider this a tract for the depressed, the discouraged, and the overwhelmed.”³ If you haven’t already read Spurgeon, he’s a kindred spirit for you. A few books out right now have brought together Spurgeon’s observations about his own depression, and he uses almost the very words that you use. He talks about his own causeless depression. He says, “You might as well fight with the wind, “as try to fight against something that seems to have “no rhyme or reason to it.” He goes on and says, “It demands a heavenly hand “to open this iron bolt, “and that it somehow brings the light in.” So, know some of your kindred spirits, and Spurgeon would be one of them.⁴ I would add reading Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones or listening to his sermons on depression are helpful.

Another strategy we learn from Psalm 42 is talking to ourselves. Speak to yourself when you feel isolated and alone. This is from Psalms 42 and 43, which are the ones best known for how the psalmist speaks to his own soul. “Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Put your hope in God.” One thing we know about being downcast is that left to itself, the soul can only see the worst and is almost impossible to interrupt. As such, this simple reflection is impossible for us to do alone but it is very possible with God’s power. This is a gift—to slow down that runaway train of despondency. We need to preach the powerful truths of the Word to ourselves. This is what the psalmist does. He not only questions himself and God, but he preaches hope in God to Himself.

Depression is an emotion we have to deal with in this sin-ridden world. However, it does not have to be debilitating. God’s Word is sufficient and provides principles on how we overcome despair and put our hope and trust in Him. Jesus even invites us to Himself, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).

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¹ D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1965), 9. 

² Brian Borgman, Feelings and Faith: Cultivating Godly Emotions in the Christian Life (Wheaton: Crossway, 2009), 86-87.

³ Peter Masters, “The Valley of the Shadow of Death,” Journal of Biblical Counseling 18, no. 3 (Spring 2000): 29, https://www.ccef.org/my-account/jbc/1803/the-valley-of-the-shadow-of-death/ (accessed June 25, 2021). The quote is from the editor’s note. 

 ⁴ Ibid., paraphrasing Welch.