The Very Rev Dr John Chalmers considers the impact of depression on the spirit.

MEDITATION

“There must a be a wound

No one can be this hurt

And not bleed.”

These words come from Spike Milligan’s poem, “Feelings”.

Like so many, who have the great gift of being able to make people laugh, Spike Milligan knew only too well that there was such a thing as deep inner pain which exists with no evidence of any outer wound. Depression haunted Milligan all of his adult life; wrestling with what some people have called the “the black dog” and what the old hymn writer, John Bunyan, described as the “hobgoblins and foul fiends” which have a way of daunting the spirit.

In the Hebrew Bible, King Saul is described as suffering from black moods. To him they were terrifying and they had the effect of making him feel trapped; trapped in himself and isolated from others. In the context of King Saul’s world it is understandable that God gets the blame for sending these moods. Those who know how darkness can sweep over the human spirit, know that it feels like the absence of God and they wonder why, if God cares, God doesn’t do something to raise the mood. Why, when the voice of God is most needed, are the heavens silent?

Across the centuries and from kings to comedians depression has extracted its price. The pace of modern life and the demands that are placed upon us add to feelings of inadequacy that can, at times, overwhelm us. No one is exempt and, very sadly, the oppressive nature of so much religious life has even added to the epidemic spread of wounded hearts and minds. I sometimes think that religion itself should carry a health warning on the side of the packet.

What can be done and where can we turn?

In Saul’s case, his closest advisers had a brilliant idea; they knew that, for him, the soothing, healing, renewing power of music might help to cure his tormented soul. So they called for David and when David played that sense of the absence of God receded and the silent heavens spoke to his tortured mind. The most important element of that story, however, (1 Samuel 16) is that Saul had close advisers. Music does not lift everyone’s depression, but there is a range of tools designed to help us in our most troubled moments, and it often takes our closest friends or even professional advisers to help us discover what will work in our case.

It may be that we need a listening ear or time away from the source of our anxiety. It could be a strained relationship in the family or at work and the key to unlocking our mood is to work with others towards a resolution. Sometimes it can be an issue buried deep in our past which is trying to surface through layers of repression. These need more than little David playing on his harp; these often require the involvement of a doctor, a specialist, a counsellor and, whatever is required, we should never settle for the shallow or superficial when we are seeking balance in the life of our mind and spirit.

We should never settle for the shallow or superficial when we are seeking balance in the life of our mind and spirit.

Remember too, that there is a deep resource in our life of faith. I love the words of the Psalmist, who having passed through many bitter woes still reflects on the goodness of God: who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:2-5) Sometimes, we simply need to remember that we are loved without condition and forgiven even for what we can hardly forgive in ourselves.

Consider too, that the precious pearl which is offered up by the oyster is the result of injury and irritation. It is, after all, through the cracks that the light gets in.