While doing a search on “spiritual depression”, I ran across a very helpful post entitled “Depression, Gratitude and Charles Hadden Spurgeon” in Randy Alcorn’s The Eternal Perspectives Blog. After some personal reflections on his own recent history with depression, Alcorn turns to the famous preacher Charles Hadden Spurgeon and quotes from one of Spurgeon’s sermons entitled, “When the Preacher is Downcast”.
“Fits of depression come over the most of us. Cheerful as we may be, we must at intervals be cast down. The strong are not always vigorous, the wise not always ready, the brave not always courageous, and the joyous not always happy.
There may be here and there men of iron to whom wear and tear work no perceptible detriment, but surely the rust frets even these; and as for ordinary men, the Lord knows and makes them to know that they are but dust.
Knowing by most painful experience what deep depression of spirit means, being visited therewith at seasons by no means few or far between, I thought it might be consolatory to some of my brethren if I gave my thoughts thereon, that younger men might not fancy that some strange thing had happened to them when they became for a season possessed by melancholy; and that sadder men might know that one upon whom the sun has shown right joyously did not always walk in the light.
As I do battle with persistent depression and prepare for yet another season away from the pulpit, I am both inspired and intimidated by the example of Spurgeon. I have read (in Founders Ministries) that -
He preached over 600 times before the age of 20. His sermons sold about 25,000 copies a week and were translated into 20 languages. The collected sermons fill 63 volumes and stands as “the largest set of books by a single author in the history of Christianity.”
His own son Charles commented on the effectiveness of his preaching, saying, “There was no one who could preach like my father. In inexhaustible variety, witty wisdom, vigorous proclamation, loving entreaty, and lucid teaching, with a multitude of other qualities, he must, at least in my opinion, ever be regarded as the prince of preachers.”
Yet Spurgeon openly struggled with both physical (gout) and mental (depression) illness that required him to be out sometimes months at a time. In his sermon, “When a Preacher is Downcast”, Spurgeon offers struggling pastors some simple advice (such as exercise, recreation, and regular time off). He also observes that his periods of depression often preceed major ministry challenges -
This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry. The cloud is black before it breaks and overshadows before it yields its deluge of mercy.
Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist heralding the nearer coming of my Lord’s richer benison. So have far better men found it. The scouring of the vessel has fitted it for the Master’s use.
Immersion in suffering has preceded the filling of the Holy Ghost. Fasting gives an appetite for the banquet. The Lord is revealed in the backside of the desert, while His servant keeps the sheep and waits in solitary awe.
The wilderness is the way to Canaan. The low valley leads to the towering mountain. Defeat prepares for victory. The raven is sent forth before the dove. The darkest hour of the night precedes the day-dawn.
The mariners go down to the depths, but the next wave makes them mount to the heaven. Their soul is melted because of trouble before He bringeth them to their desired haven.
I reflect on this as I begin another extended sick leave and prepare for a lengthy hospitalization. I am also applying for disability benefits, hopeful that however well treatment works, I’ll be able to come home and channel my emotional energy toward my family rather than returning to pastoral work that consumes all of me I seem to be able to offer.
My oldest daughter is turning 17 soon and I have very rarely been able to devote the kind of quality time I would like to have with her. Instead, I’ve needed (or chosen) to use whatever psychic strength I’ve had to be a decent pastor so I could at least provide financially so my wife could provide all else.
It is my hope and prayer that ECT will work and I’ll be approved for this “sabbatical” from my pastorate so I can be the kind of husband and father I would like my wife and children to have.
There is a great book about spiritual growth and the role depression can play in it called The Depression Advantage. They have a website at http://www.bipolaradvantage.com and a team of top experts including workshops on spirituality and depression. I think you might really relate to what they are saying.
The Pistol fires back: Thanks for the recommendation. I may just check it out.
It is great to find a place where I am understood.
The Pistol fires back: Glad you feel understood.
Many prayers for you Pete as you enter this time in your life. Thank you for coming back for a time to let us know how you were doing.
Another soul on the journey, Sue.
The Pistol fires back: Thank you, Sue, for checking in. I just got home yesterday after 28 days in the psych unit. I can’t recall a time I’ve felt better in my life. Praise God.
I love you . You are such an inspiration to me and others. I pray that God is with you every step of the way. I am lucky that God made you my brother. Good luck in your new adventure.
yes depression is the darkness before the dawn& I have suffered alone in a lonely world. a stranger in a strange land, that is the worst situation, when family friends& even so called christian fellowship is denied you. to suffer is ok when we have support , but to suffer alone like jesus at gethsamene& calvery is the lonest death we all try to avoid. regds andy.
in 9 years i had terrible divorce my x-wife decieved me, my son has terrible condition called autism, he cant function as normal 11 yr old& nearly lost my youngest daughter from viral meningitis, then my father had heart disease HE past away 5 months ago, my mother cancer. all in 9 yers together.
The Pistol fires back: My prayers are with you.
While each man’s spirit-self seeks to remember who he, in this, the time of the great forgetting, his chemical self has become intoxicated by both, a material realm filled with toxic adversity, as well as a spiritual toxin of self.
With the uncertainties created by his lack of proper catylist utilisation, compounded with chemical imbalance, the man then has a strong propensity towards a depressed state of beingness.
The Pistol fires back: Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Therefore, firstly the man must work to remove the chemical imbalance to his carnal form; the toxins from his physical body, then remove himself, the best he can, from the toxins introduced by the low frequency vibrations being projected by the media of commerce.
Once the two; The physical and spirit-self has found homeostasis, the man can then begin to remember who he is; created in the true image of The One Infinite Creator.
Pete, even though we have never met, I love you. I thank you for sharing your journey. I’d love one day to sit down and enjoy some coffee or something with you. But mostly I wish you well for your family and yourself.
The Pistol fires back: I, too, count you as a spiritual friend and kindred spirit and hope we do have the opportunity to sit down over coffee one day. I zipped you a quick e-mail. Reply as you have the chance.
[...] Charles Hadden Spurgeon from his sermon entitled, ‘When the Preacher is Downcast’. (HT: Necessary Therapy for the [...]
Thank you for the resources. I have suffered depression for many years and have tried everything, spiritual and medical treatment. I am still pastoring. I would like to go on disability- but don’t know how that would work. I am to ashamed to even think about it. Ministry and simple every day life is becoming moere and more difficult. Any Pastor who has experienced disability in California? Blessings and keep me in your prayers.
How did everything turn out? Has God healed you? Are you progressing? Did the hospital therapy help? Such a mystery of suffering. I have only experienced “true”? full fledged depression for a period of about 4 months about 6 years ago. It was a land that was foreign and I never wish to return to, nor would I wish it on my worst enemy. God is sovereign and this condition is a mystery of body and soul. I believe that the spirit of man remains intact with God, untouchable. But, the soul…so closely entwined with the spirit. It is open to such attack and sadness. I hope all is well with you and that victory and joy are an every day occurence now. God bless you and your family.
The Pistol fires back: I guess you could say I’m still “turning out”. I battle depression with great regularity (only experiencing brief interludes when I “swing” back toward mania.) Thank you for your encouraging words.