Depression

Index - Posting 21st February 08 Vol: 1.5

where does my help come from...from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and earth.

Psalms 121:1-2 NIV

Whether it’s the winter blues brought on by seasonal affective disorder or just the realities of daily life, sometimes we feel a little down. So during my sermon last Sunday I returned to a favourite topic of mine, the recognition of depression as a human characteristic in the Old Testament. A favourite topic because these stories display a side of our emotions that we may not talk about, through fear of being seen as lacking in faith. When it was time for Joshua to succeed Moses, the prophet recognised the potential for a dip in the morale of his people, through a change in leadership from the familiar, to the new and the unknown.

It is the Lord Who goes before you…He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you…fear not, neither become broken in spirit, depressed, dismayed and unnerved with alarm. Deu. 31:8

In Kings we read of Ahab, King of Israel, who on being denied a vineyard for his herb garden, became so depressed, he took to his bed, turned his face towards the wall and refused to eat. But my favourite is the prophet Elijah, who on receiving a death threat from Jezebel, fled alone into the wilderness, sat under a juniper tree and asked God to kill him. He was so afraid and depressed that he didn’t want to live any more. And God’s response? He was made to rest and an angel supplied him with food.

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life...[and] went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom or juniper tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life…then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he travelled for forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night. I Kings 19:3-8 NIV

I love this story – it demonstrates how comfortable God is with our infirmities; our humanity with all its frailties. The Divine responded with understanding and compassion. It’s ok to feel vulnerable and to be honest with God in our more depressed moments. God still listens and God still acts. If one hears an angry voice, scolding for feelings felt – it’s not God. God does not kick us when we are already down or deepen our depressions. An excellent therapist, God knew that Elijah needed to rest, be nurtured and emotionally stroked. Only then, without the melodrama of speaking through an earthquake, wind or fire, God spoke in a soft voice of gentleness, “What are you doing here Elijah?” In opening a dialogue Elijah was enabled to talk about his feelings and the reasons for his depression. Only after the prophet had rested, recovered his strength and perspective, did God offer a solution. God often waits for the right moment when we are able to listen, understand and more importantly, are able to move forward.

And taking with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply depressed. Then He said to them, My soul is very sad and deeply grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow. Stay here and keep awake and keep watch with Me. And going a little farther, He threw Himself upon the ground on His face and prayed saying, My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, not what I desire, but as You will and desire. Mat. 26:37-39 And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him in spirit. Lk. 22:43

May the Holy Spirit of God continue to hold us in our more vulnerable moments.

back