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Spiritual Depression: Some Preliminary Thoughts

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Spiritual Depression

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar. Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me. Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God? Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Judge me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. ” (Psalm 42:1–43:5, KJV)

There are many people today who profess Christ, yet are very unhappy. It’s written all over their faces that they are depressed (cf Prov 27:19). Should it be so with us? Scripture calls us to joy (Neh 8:10;Ps 37:4;Php 3:1), and commends joy to us as the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Why, then is it not present with us? Why do we, as the Psalmist (Ps 42&43) show our lack of joy in our fallen countenances (sad faces)? (cf Prov 27:19)

This post is the beginning of a series dealing with spiritual depression. It is my conviction that the majority of the cases of depression are spiritual in nature. I shall readily and quickly grant that there are times that one can be physically ill and become depressed. I also acknowledge that one can have a chemical imbalance and become depressed. These cases, and others similar to them, should be treated by a professional who can prescribe the correct medications to help the one suffering to gain a healthy mental balance. At the same time, most people do not fall into this category, I think. Man was created a spiritual being and most of his problems are spiritual in nature. I do not think that it is a mistake that the Scriptures say that God restores the soul (cf Ps 23:3); that is, He takes our minds and hearts and returns them to spiritual health.

As we read Ps 42&43 we find that spiritual depression is often the result of oppression at the hands of enemies. It is often accompanied by a feeling of distance from God (Ps 42:6) and a feeling of being deserted by God (Ps 42:9), as well as prolonged sadness and crying (Ps 42:3).

Ps 42:1-2;63:1-2 It is sometimes manifested by our feeling spiritually weakened in much the same manner as one is physically weakened by not eating and drinking. It also will take a physical toll upon us. We can become physically ill as the result of spiritual depression. David experienced such in his life (Ps 32:4;51:8).

Ps 73 There are times that it is caused by our discontented and envious state that is the result of looking at the wicked and their prosperity in this life.

At other times it is caused by our consciences (1Sam 24:5;Prov 13:15). It is a difficult thing to live with a guilty and shameful conscience. It often manifests itself in a form of paranoia in which we think everyone is against us, or we are fearful for no apparent reason. Solomon stated that one whose conscience is bad will run when none is chasing them (Prov 28:1).

Other things that contribute are:

Temperament, physical sickness, stress (Elijah after Mt Carmel victory 1Kings 19), too much dependance on others (Prov 25:19), and lack of faith (James 1:5-8).

The cure for spiritual depression is always faith Ps 42:5,11;43:5. While we might take a pill to help us if the case is so desperate that we need immediate help (cf Prov 31:4-7), long-term healing only comes through trusting God to give us hope. After all, Jesus Himself stated the He came that our joy might be full (Jn 10:10b;15:11).

Much more can be said regarding spiritual depression. Let it suffice for now to say that this is not even a complete overview of the issue; neither will I have exhausted the subject when I shall have completed the series of posts on the issue. These posts are written for the express purpose of encouraging us to go to God for our joy, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease other than that of the soul.

Recommended reading: Spiritual Depression by Martin Lloyd Jones  and When The Darkness Will Not Lift and When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper.


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