This week, the blog is sponsored by Moody Publishers, and written by Nate Pickowicz, pastor of Harvest Bible Church in Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire. He has authored or edited more than a dozen books, including How to Eat Your Bible, The Kindness of God, The American Puritans, and Christ & Creed. He and his wife, Jess, have three children.
Many of us feel unable to swim against the tide of sorrow and sadness.
Overcoming the Darkness speaks to the deep waters of troubled hearts that feel afflicted or alone in their spiritual struggles. Drawing from the life and wisdom of God’s Word, along with personal experience, pastor and teacher Nate Pickowicz helps us administer God’s balm to our spiritual wounds. Jesus Himself invites us to come to Him for help. He is the ultimate cure for our spiritual depression, but it can be hard to know how to access and experience His healing power. Readers explore the causes of spiritual depression, including calamity, longstanding afflictions, persistent melancholy, fear, persistent sin, and more. And they discover a holistic, practical road to spiritual health. There is hope for tomorrow, and we can live for it today.
I have struggled with anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember. It has been a constant, unwanted companion for decades. I know what it’s like to feel so hopeless that I do not want to get out of bed in the morning. I have been tormented by intrusive thoughts so awful that I wanted to rip out my brain to find relief. As I have endured the painful stings and dull aches of spiritual depression, I have clung to the hope that there was help on the way.
My help came through God’s Word.
The testimony of Scripture bears witness to the truth that spiritual depression is common to humanity. Numerous people in the Bible experienced sorrowful conditions, such as Job, Moses, Naomi, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, and Jonah. Beyond this, church history is marked by faithful saints who have battled depression, such as Martin Luther, William Cowper, Henry Martyn, John Wesley, Edward Payson, and Charles Spurgeon. And while we can sorrow for those who sorrow, we can also be encouraged to discover that we are not alone.
The Bible testifies to us that “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18). Far from crushing and destroying those who suffer with depression, we read of our Lord, “A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish” (Isa. 42:3). It is not His intention to cut us down or snuff us out. Rather, Jesus lifts up the downcast with these precious promises:
The testimony of Scripture bears witness to the truth that spiritual depression is common to humanity.
Nate Pickowicz
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. (Matt. 5:3–4)
With an outstretched heart, He calls to us: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest . . . for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28–29).
Because we have been “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3), we have cause to be encouraged! Even on our worst day, we can have confidence that we belong to Him because “the Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God” (Rom. 8:16). And because of this, He will never turn His back or forsake us. This is why Peter tells us: Even on our worst day, we can have confidence that we belong to Him and He will never turn His back or forsake us. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials [even depression!], so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6–9)
We long to “greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible,” don’t we? We don’t want to drown in spiritual depression. We want to ride atop the seas of hope, our sails filled with the joy of the Lord! So, encourage your heart, beloved. Hope in God! You will again praise Him. Why? Because He is your salvation and your God.
