Sir Winston Churchill used to speak of a metaphorical black dog that sometimes followed him. Many have known the same thing. To be downcast, depressed, dogged by a mood of hopelessness or inadequacy, can be debilitating. Depressions vary in intensity and duration. Perhaps as many as one in ten experience melancholia at some point. Christians are not exempt.
Causing
What causes it? There are a number of possible factors.
1. Heredity. It may be that some family lines are more disposed to depression than others. It is worth knowing your family background, where you can, and how that may affect you psychologically.
2. Chemical imbalance. Some are sceptical but certain illnesses, child birth, menstruation, etc, can all lead to chemical imbalance, such as lowered brain amines, bringing on depression.
3. There can be a reaction to stresses of various sorts, emotional and physical, leading to depression. Major life changes, such as bereavement, moving home, redundancy, etc, can precipitate depression. Sometimes, confusingly, there can be a delayed reaction.
However, many depressions are unidentifiable. Proverbs 18:14 says 'A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness then observes, but a crushed spirit who can bear?' It is a curious thing that faced by the same set of circumstances at one time a man can surmount them but at another, for no apparent reason, is unable.
Curing
A cure is not always possible with depression. Saying ‘snap out of it’ is usually unhelpful. The whole problem is being unable to ‘snap out of it’. A more subtle approach sometimes works as when Luther’s wife suggested to him that God was dead! Obviously where a chemical cause is discovered appropriate medication may deal with the root problem. Similarly, stress induced depression can be overcome by removing the cause or managing it better.
Caring
Where the underlying cause of a depression is unclear the approach must be a caring one from those who wish to help the depressed person. Sympathising with those who are depressed for no obvious reason is not easy, especially if we have never experienced depression ourselves. Jay Adams warns against extremes. On one hand, it is not good to encourage anyone to rely too much on our support. They must took to the Lord. On the other, we must never minimise what they are facing. If we underestimate how bad they feel, we risk alienating them and driving to despair. Patience and love are vital.
Coping
For the one who is inexplicably depressed himself it is a matter of coping. Perhaps a strategy can be developed along these lines.
1. Do not be surprised by depression. It happens even to eminent Christians. Think of Cowper or Luther or Brainerd. Spurgeon once said ‘I, of all men, am perhaps the subject of the deepest depression at times’. David and Jeremiah are biblical examples. Godliness does not guarantee freedom from depression. There is a sinful depression. Think of angry Cain or pouting Ahab. Depression can also lead to sin. We must not excuse ourselves. However, depression can come unbidden to holy people.
2. When depressed or despondent, take special care to get plenty of sleep and to eat well. This will sometimes be difficult to achieve but if we realise its importance for mental as well as physical well being we will make it a priority. Many have pointed out how when Elijah fled from Jezebel in a fit of depression the first thing God did was to feed him and give him a long rest.
3. Do not be afraid to seek medical advice. It is not a lack of faith. Maybe medication is needed. There is no shame in using drugs to get through depression brought on by physical causes. Scripture condemns Asa not for seeking medical help but for failing to pray about his disease. Of course, on the other hand, it is a sin to pretend we have a medical problem when there is none. We should not be too quick to resort to medicine.
4. Concentrate on ‘getting through’. Depressions tend to be cyclical. They come and go. They can be more intense at certain times. It is common, for instance, to feel worst first thing in the morning or during the night. Remember that. Psalm 27:14 says ‘Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD‘.
5. Beware of thinking too much. This may sound unusual advice. However, when a person is depressed he is not thinking straight and to let thoughts go round and round in a downward spiral does no good. Richard Baxter says ‘Do not exercise your thoughts too deeply, nor too much .... Long meditation is a duty to some, but not to you, any more than it is a person’s duty to go to church who has his leg broken’. When depressed do not waste mental energy on why you are depressed. It is worth analysing at another time but not in the midst of depression.
6. Seek company. The natural tendency of depressed persons is to seek solitude. Rather, seek cheerful company. Remember ‘A cheerful look brings joy to the heart and good news gives health to the bones’ (Pro 15:30). Dr Gaius Davies adds, ‘The role of a confiding, intimate friend is also important in protecting against depression’. Where this is possible such a friend will know you are depressed and with few words can help you through. Under this heading we might also note the need to take care over the music you hear. Music can powerfully affect moods, positively or negatively.
7. Concentrate on your duties. Jay Adams points out how those with less structured life-styles, such as housewives and ministers, can be more prone to depression. As far as possible, keep to daily routines and keep appointments. Try and ‘do the next thing’. At least do the little things that need doing but that require little mental effort. When depressed it is not the time for new initiatives or in depth discussions about the future.
8. Concentrate on maintaining your Christian testimony. All sorts of temptations may come to a depressed believer, it is important not to spoil an otherwise faithful witness by breaking out and doing something foolish that will bring the gospel into disrepute.
9. Keep praying and reading the Scriptures. Praying can be difficult at the best of times. In depression, prayer may seem impossible. Try and pray with others. It is clear that David came to God even at his worst. Psalm 42:6 ‘My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you’. Ps 69:1, 2 ‘Save me, O God, ... I have come into the deep waters’. The psalms are a good place to turn to when downcast. Do not forget the great promises either.
10. Above all, trust in the Lord. Psalm 42:11 ‘Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God .…’ Isa 50:10 ‘Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God’. Look to the Lord. He will bring you through. Spurgeon says ‘I find myself frequently depressed ... I find no better cure ... than to trust in the Lord with all my heart and seek to realise afresh the power of the peace-speaking blood of Jesus and his infinite love in dying upon the cross to put away all my transgressions.’
