Depression

by J. Rodgers, Toronto | Category: Christian Problems In Today's World | May 1982

Depression is a condition which is common to the human family. Most, if not all, at some time in life are subject to its wearying influences. It penetrates the personal lives of individuals, entering unbidden, and certainly unwelcome, the homes and lives of the strong and the weak, the intellectual and illiterate, the rich and the poor. It is no respecter of persons.

The "advances" of civilization, the many demands of expanding educational and business opportunities and ambitions, the ever-growing pressures of daily living with their financial and health problems, all produce stress and strain which weigh upon the human spirit. Furthermore the disruptive elements in family life - lack of love and complete apathy towards the sanctity of marriage and the marriage vows - have often been the forerunners of depression, scarring the lives of multitudes of young people. This, in turn, has often led to sadly familiar "escape" experiences with drugs and alcohol. At the same time a door has been opened to certain modern cults of evil origin whose adherents profess to "treat" the mind and emotions, but subtly rob the individual of self-control and make him a prey to their errors. Such is the cult of "Scientology". Some again offer a form of peace and tranquillity through mystical or meditational techniques which have no relationship with "the peace of God" (Phil. 4:7) and alienate from the One who said, "My peace I give unto you" (John 14:27).

The frequency of depressive problems, no doubt partly associated with greater understanding and awareness of their effects, has however also stimulated helpful medical developments in treatment. It is important to seek medical help when depression is severe or prolonged. Quite specific treatments are available to bring relief in many cases, often including the Christian whose spiritual problems may have contributed to his condition.

Although the twentieth century has developed circumstances and conditions which are breeding grounds for depression it is by no means confined to the present age. It appears to have existed in every generation. The word "depression" does not occur in the Scriptures, but the thought which it conveys, "a pressing down" or "a weight upon the mind and spirit", can be readily discerned throughout the scriptural record and is traceable back even to patriarchal days.

Moses was repeatedly referred to as "servant of God", "man of God" and "friend of God", terms indicative of the close communion between Moses and the Lord. The Spirit commends him as unique both in respect to his own and succeeding generations, when He stated, " ... there hath not arisen a prophet ... in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face" (Deut. 34:10). This relationship and this fellowship were neither temporary nor spasmodic, but were continuous; this experience is initially referred to in Exod. 33:11, but existed long before that time. We might conclude that a person so favoured would be untouched by depression. Numbers 11 tells a different story!

We have been schooled to expect from men's lips the cry, "What is the use of living"? Moses' words of anguish, however, come as a surprise, "Kill me, I pray Thee, out of hand". Nevertheless, the background to this episode in Moses' life may have made his request excusable. Israel murmured and wept; the mixed multitude created problems; discontent did not just simmer in the minds of the people, but was in practical evidence at every tent door; he had no support from any quarter. Could he be criticized for his cry of despair, "Have I conceived all this people ... that Thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing-father carrieth the sucking child?

I am not able to bear all this people alone".

God knew the difficulties Moses would face before he ever encountered them. He can chart a clear path through every trial; He knows the end from the beginning. He is the God of the impossible. Listen as God unfolds to Moses a divine plan for human needs. It involved a distribution of responsibility amongst seventy of the elders of Israel. There is embedded in this record the fact of provision being made not only for the immediate present but also for the future, a necessary requirement for depression days. An additional thought is introduced into the incident in Numbers 11, and thus into the lesson which it contains. Two men are raised up in the camp of Israel, Eldad and Medad, and through jealousy criticism arose in the mind of some. Watch the effect which this new thing had in the mind and attitude of Moses; it brought a new dimension into his life. Prior to this he had spoken twice of Israel as "this people" vv. 11, 14. But now he delights to speak of them as "the LORD'S people", his expressed wish being that the Lord might put His Spirit upon them (v.29). It is clear that in these few verses Moses had a revelation of God's purposes in Israel's future. The unveiling of future glories results in an enlightened view of the clouds of depression.

Elijah was a prophet who was raised up during a period of widespread apostasy in Israel. His message was not designed to gain him popularity amongst his audiences. Despite the brief periods of acclaim, such as the confounding and ultimate slaying of the 850 idol priests upon Mount Carmel, his life in general was lonely. The pressure of his lonely vigils and isolated testimony had a wearing effect upon this noble man of God. His state of depression was a gradual process, but he finally seems to be drained of all energy and vitality and pathetically says, "It is enough; now, 0 LORD take away my life" (1 Kings 19:4). The reasons given for this low period in Elijah's experiences are outlined in v. 14: "the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword". He was another in the line of the faithful who momentarily had his eyes averted and, losing sight of the spiritual goal and God's future purposes, floundered in the morass of depression. The word in 1 Kings 19:18 and Rom. 11:4 is not intended as a rebuke, but rather as the timely requirement of a word in season as God reveals He has seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.

Job was a man of incomparable strength of character, a strength which surged from within, being activated by godliness. He is referred to as one who was perfect and upright and feared God. His life was stamped with repeated catastrophes, yet God said of him, "there is none like him in the earth". He not only brought glory to God, but also blessing to man:

And thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

Thy words have upholden him that was falling, And thou hast confirmed the feeble knees (4:3, 4).

All honour to this godly man - we fain would leave him thus lauded and exalted, but the words of Eliphaz which follow are equally important:

But now it is come unto thee, and thou faintest; It toucheth thee, and thou art troubled" (v.5).

Despite Job's personally passing through the furnace of affliction and emerging as refined gold, despite his ministering ability to strengthen the weak and restore the faint, despite his evident confidence in God, he is himself touched by the finger of depression. It seems to be an instrument of the flesh and we can be both unprepared for its onslaught and ill-equipped for the combat.

Hannah speaks of herself in 1 Sam. 1:15 as a woman of a sorrowful spirit. This low condition, another aspect of depression, was caused mainly by cruel and malicious talking in the family circle (how destructive the tongue, as a little member, can be), yet the experiences of chapter 1 were necessary to her finally riding the crest of the wave, singing with the understanding and giving us a glimpse of glories revealed in 1 Sam. 2.

Jeremiah is another in the long list of prophets who faced several trials in life. He is often referred to as "the weeping prophet". His writings portray a man burdened with grief, a direct result of the weight upon his spirit of

Israel's transgressions and consequent estrangement from God. His writings are silent testimony to the variety of people affected by, and the multitude of things which cause depression. His kinsmen dealt treacherously with him (12:6) and his townsmen, those who were his professed friends, threatened him with death (11:21). He had doubts as to whether God was speaking through him or not (20:7) and doubts as to God's justice (12:1-4). Consequently he had determined to cease from preaching the message of God (20:9). Chapter 15:10 indicates how deep was his despair when he writes, "Woe is me, my mother, that thou has borne me a man of strife".

The foregoing incidents are culled in the main from the records of those who were leaders in their generation. Even their occupying positions of eminence did not afford them immunity from depression. It is impossible to repeat in our own lives the singular experiences of our predecessors, for "The heart knoweth its own bitterness" (Pro. 14:10). Depression is therefore a very personal and lonely experience. Few care to bare the soul and expose the mental anguish caused by fears and doubts. Prayer becomes difficult, the heavens seem as brass, communion with the Lord is, at least, curtailed. Unanswerable questions flood the mind and the word of God seems to lose, in part, its living power. It may be impossible to pinpoint the thoughts which triggered this dread condition, but there is no denying the fact of its existence, and the resultant mental turmoil could well be described as a "slough of despond". Many well-meaning counsellors point to the lack of variety in a disciple's life as the root cause for his or her depression. Participation in worldly things is the cure they recommend. Such activities and interests may be an aid to temporarily forgetting the difficulties, but such shallow and short-lived expedients bring the individual no nearer to a solution to his difficulties.

There are those who are divinely gifted to give aid during depression days, if afforded the opportunity. These would gladly draw alongside for such personal ministry. They can draw from a storehouse of experience to relate to specific problems and thereby give comfort and restore confidence. They will join with the afflicted as prayer-partners and via that fellowship prove the practical value of Matt. 18:19. By the help of the Holy Spirit they will lead through a variety of applicable Scriptures which, in turn, can lead into green pastures and quiet waters. Lastly, they will preserve any confidence placed in them, deeming such as a pledge before the Lord.

The sons of Korah summarize the subject, touching on both depression and its cure, in the thrice repeated statement:

Why art thou cast down, 0 my soul?

And why are thou disquieted within me?

Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him (Psa. 42:5, 11; 43:5).

Depression cannot always be avoided, but need not be accommodated. Hope dispels despair - hope thou in God!

J. Rodgers, Toronto | May 1982
Christian Problems In Today's World