Depression isn't a modern thing

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People think depression is just a modern problem, but it’s not. There are even examples in the Bible of depression. You can think of David, the psalmist, in Psalm 32 and Psalm 51, or Heman in Psalm 88—the darkest psalm in the whole book of Psalms. In Job, there’s definitely evidence of depression in the chapters of his book. Jeremiah even wrote a book called Lamentations.

Elijah

But maybe the most obvious figure who suffered from depression is Elijah in 1 Kings. The interesting thing is his depression came after a tremendous spiritual accomplishment. He’d just been at Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal, and he had this great triumph. He’d shown God and all his glory, then he runs and he ends up totally alone, depressed, exhausted, scared, self-critical, despairing, pessimistic about the future, and he thinks he’s the only believer left in this world, so let me die. What’s really interesting is God’s response to that. What’s the first thing God does? He gives him food, he gives him a drink, and he sends him to sleep. Then he does the same again, and only after Elijah’s physically revived does he begin to speak with a still, small voice into his life. Not a loud, condemning voice, but a still, small, quiet voice.


What the Bible Teaches about Depression

I think what it tells us is that the greatest saints can get depression, even after the greatest spiritual highs. And God cares. He’s holistic and compassionate in his approach to depression. So the Bible has a lot to teach us about how to respond to it as well.

Author: D. Murray

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