Some might not be aware, that the Prince of Preachers was often overwhelmed with depression, anxiety and panic.
Since May is “Mental Health Awareness Month”, allow us to highlight a few of Spurgeon’s quotes on these issues.
Charles Spurgeon was ahead of his time, in stating that depression and anxiety could be seen as medical problems rather than sins or “lack of faith”
“There are certain forms of disease which so affect the brain and whole nervous system that depression is a melancholy symptom of the disease.” (1)
“I would not blame all those who are much given to fear, for in some it is rather their disease than their sin, and more their misfortune than their fault.” (2)
Spurgeon believed it was error to judge those who struggle with mental health issues
“Especially judge not the sons and daughters of sorrow. Allow no ungenerous suspicions of the afflicted, the poor, and the despondent.Do not hastily say they ought to be more brave, and exhibit a greater faith. Ask not ‘why are they so nervous and so absurdly fearful?’ No… I beseech you, remember that you understand not your fellow man.” (3)
“Strong-minded people are very apt to be hard upon nervous folk and to speak harshly to people who are very depressed in spirit, saying ‘really, you ought to rouse yourself out of that state.’” (4)
Spurgeon’s own battle with depression and anxiety
“I suppose that some brethren neither have much elevation or depression. I could almost wish to share their peaceful life. For I am much tossed up and down, and although my joy is greater than the most of men, my depression of spirit is such as few can have an idea of.”“I could say with Job, ‘My soul chooseth strangling rather than life’ [Job 7:15]. I could readily enough have laid violent hands upon myself, to escape from my misery of spirit.” (5)
“Thou art my Father, and I am Thy child, and thou as a father, art tender and full of mercy. I could not bear to see my child suffer as Thou makest me suffer; and if I saw him tormented as I am now, I would do what I could to help him, and put my arms under him to sustain him. Wilt thou hide thy face from me, my father? Wilt thou still lay on me thy heavy hand, and not give me a smile from thy countenance?” (6)
Those who struggle with these issues should follow in Spurgeon’s steps in turning to Christ during dark times
“O dear friend, when thy grief presses thee to the very dust, worship there! If that spot has come to be thy Gethsemane, then present there thy ‘strong crying and tears’ unto thy God. Remember David’s words, ‘Ye people, pour out your hearts,’ — but do not stop there, finish the quotation, — ‘Ye people, pour out your hearts before him.’ Turn the vessel upside down; it is a good thing to empty it, for this grief may ferment into something more sour. Turn the vessel upside down, and let every drop run out; but let it be before the Lord. ‘Ye people, pour out your hearts before him: God is a refuge for us.’ When you are bowed down beneath a heavy burden of sorrow, then take to worshipping the Lord, and especially to that kind of worshipping which lies in adoring God, and in making a full surrender of yourself to the divine will.” (7)
1: The Fear of Death
2: Night and Jesus Not There
3: Man unknown to Man
4: The Saddest Cry from the Cross
5: Israel’s God and God’s Israel
6: Spurgeon’s autobiography
7: Job’s Resignation
