This is the one-hundred-ninety-second lesson in author and pastor Mel Lawrenz’ How to Live the Bible series. If you know someone or a group who would like to follow along on this journey through Scripture, they can get more info and sign up to receive these essays via email here.
“The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” (Prov. 18:14).
Depression is rising in our communities. That’s a longtime trend, and the stress and isolation of recent times has led to more and more depression.
But there is hope.
Several years ago, the shocking news of the suicide of actor Robin Williams left millions of people all over the world with a mystery: How could someone known for a whole-face smile that caused multitudes of people to laugh to the point of tears be so distraught and dark that he would take his own life? Many were perplexed, and there were many others who said to themselves: If anyone knew how desperately depressed I am, they would be surprised.
I write as someone who has seen depression across numerous generations in my own family, and as a pastor who has officiated at the funerals of those who have taken their own lives.
Many people turn to the Scriptures to understand and, if they look widely, they’ll find not only the hope the Scriptures offer, but also the honesty and accuracy with which the Scriptures account for one of the most common inner maladies of all time: depression.
King David despaired of life more than once. Not only do we have dozens of “Psalms of Lament,” but we have physiological descriptions of the effects of the broken heart, as in Psalm 38: “there is no health in my body. . . . my guilt has overwhelmed me, like a burden too heavy to bear . . . . I am bowed down and brought very low. . . all day long I go about mourning . . . . I am feeble and utterly crushed . . . . my heart pounds, my strength fails me . . . . I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak . . . . I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me . . . . Lord, do not forsake me.”
This is not a description of “feeling low,” sad, or unhappy, but rather what can happen when sadness deepens into despair and then into a physical condition.
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Even powerful and successful people can be brought low in depression. The prophet Elijah defeated the false prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in a stunning victory by God. And yet, fleeing the wrath of Jezebel, Elijah went into isolation and prayed, “I have had enough, Lord, take my life, I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4-5).
God did not condemn Elijah for being destitute and depressed. God did not say: Buck up, man. Where is your faith? Shake it off. Instead, an angel of God came, touched Elijah, and offered fresh-baked bread and a jar of water (1 Kings 19:5-6). This is the way God is. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18).
At a desperate moment, the prophet Jonah wanted to die: “Now, LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live” (Jonah 4:3). Yes, that’s in the Bible. One of the most significant spiritual leaders in Old Testament history came to the point of wondering if he wanted to live or not.
And then there’s Job, whose illnesses and profound losses made him despair of life—his wife and “friends” did not help. In the end, God did not offer Job answers for his questions, but instead, God offered himself.
This is what God does and what we must do for each other—be a caring presence. What makes deep depression dangerous is isolation. Often, someone else needs to help the depressed person get connected with the right medical and spiritual resources. We need to know when we’re the right people to make those connections. None of us should be put off if our well-meaning words do nothing to help a depressed friend. That may be the time when we need to do less talking and just be there.
As one desperate man said, “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty” (Job 6:14).
If difficult times have pushed you down into serious depression, let someone know. Reach out to your physician. Find trusted, wise confidants (particularly those who know about depression) and connect with a counselor. Far too many people suffer deeply inside, not letting anyone else know. There’s nothing to be ashamed or afraid of about letting the right people know where you really are.
And for those of us who know someone who has become deeply depressed, we need to be there for them. There’s not one simple thing we can tell them to do to raise them up. If someone has sunk low, it took a while to get there, and it will take a while to heal. We need to be compassionate listeners, to nullify shame, and to support them as they seek the help they need.
[See previous – Goodness Is Always Greater]
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Mel Lawrenz (@MelLawrenz) trains an international network of Christian leaders, ministry pioneers, and thought-leaders. He served as senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for ten years and now serves as Elmbrook’s teaching pastor. He has a PhD in the history of Christian thought and is on the adjunct faculty of Trinity International University. Mel’s many books include Spiritual Leadership Today: Having Deep Influence in Every Walk of Life (Zondervan, 2016). See more of Mel’s writing at WordWay.
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