Category: christians with depression

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Quotes from Blow Away the Black Clouds

Florence Littauer lost two children and became depressed. She overcame and wrote a book in order to help Other Christians to do the same. 

Here are some quotes describing how she experienced depression. 

“As I sat holding one dying child after another, I lost interest in everything. I once was a gourmet cook, but now I didn’t care if I even ate. I was once a club president, but now I didn’t care if the bylaws ever got straightened out. I had once been a social butterfly, but now I lost all interest in afternoon teas. These former activities went from important to inconsequence. As I tried to suppress my grief, I lost my smile.” (Pg. 22)

I remember walking to the bus stop on a sunny day with the sound of birds chirping and telling myself to enjoy the walk. But, I just couldn’t enjoy anything.

“I got so I would cry if I heard someone laugh. I disliked anyone whose life seemed to be running smoothly. It was not fair that anyone should be happy when I was sad and hopeless ” (pg. 25)

This quote reminds me of how I worked hard to make my sister miserable. I believed that I couldn’t be happy and decided to make my sister feel as miserable as I felt. I guess I wanted company in my personal hell.

The author encouraged the reader to look for his/her strong ability. She lists off some ideas that might be true for that reader. The individual could find one small goal to work on which might decrease the person’s feelings of helplessness. On the issue of housework, she recommended having every member of the family help out. She goes on to talk about organizing the house, working on self-improvement goals and helping others. After this chapter, she writes:

“If you are so distraught that getting organized and raising your self-image are beyond you, perhaps you should seek outside help.”  pg. 90)

I appreciate it when a Christian self-help book is open to seeking help from a person’s doctor, a therapist or some other medical intervention.

Many of us Christians experience doubts in our faith when ever we face hard times and depression. The author describes her experience of losing her faith for a time.

“As an adult I regularly attended church and considered myself a Christian, mainly because I wasn’t anything else, yet when I was faced with the tragedy of two brain-damaged sons, being able to recite the books of the Bible didn’t provide much consolation. I prayed for healing for my sons, but knew it was hopeless. Soonwhatevere faith I had disappeared and I decided there couldn’t be a God if a good person like me was in such a situation.” (pg. 97)

God loves you so much that He will forgive you for doubting your faith. He knows how much we humans struggle with believing in and trusting in a loving God. Doubt doesn’t mean that your faith is weak. It is part of a relationship wth God.

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Charles Spurgeon had depression

Charles Surgeon was a famous English Baptist preacher. He preached at Metropolitan Tabernacle, founded Spurgeon’s College and started the Stockwell Orphanage. (1)

In 1856, a mass casualty event happened to him as he preached. He was preaching at Surrey Gardens Music Hall in London. The building was filled to overflowing. As he finished a prayer, a person in the crowd shouted, “Fire. The galleries are giving way!” Seven people died in the stampede while 28 we’re injured enough to be in critical condition. He struggled with this experience for a long time afterwards. (2)

Here are some quotes from Spurgeon about his experience of depression and other things.

1. I am the subject of depression so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to. But I always get back again by this—I know that I trust Christ. I have no reliance but in him, and if he falls, I shall fall with him. But if he does not, I shall not. I was amazed by how much depression effects every part of my life. I had trouble sleeping, very terrible attention span and crying all of the time. I hung on to Christ and begged for the strength to get through each day.

2. I often feel very grateful to God that I have undergone fearful depression. I know the borders of despair and the horrible brink of that gulf of darkness into which my feet have almost gone. But hundreds of times I have been able to give a helpful grip to brethren and sisters who have come into that same condition, which grip I could never have given if I had not known their deep despondency. This reminds me of the phrase “blessed to be a blessing.” Sometimes, God allows us to experience suffering so that we may reach out to others in similar circumstances.

Our sorrows are all, like ourselves, mortal…They come, but blessed be God, they also go. We suffer today, but we shall rejoice tomorrow. This quote is similar to the line from alcoholics anonymous which says “This too shall pass.” So, this is a great reminder that no matter how bad something is, it will end.

There is no learning sympathy except by suffering. It cannot be studied from a book, it must be written on the heart. I would much rather learn something from a book than through suffering. Yet, God uses our experiences to teach and prepare us for the future. Always work to learn from your mistakes and experiences. Please understand, I am not saying that God is beating you up to teach you something. I am saying that He will find a way to use that horrible experience without being the one to cause it.

Our infirmities become the black velvet on which the diamond of God’s love glitters all the more brightly.

I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness which remains in him.

There is no secret of my heart which I would not pour into [the Lord’s] ear. There is no wish that might be deemed foolish or ambitious by others, which I would not communicate to him. God is a great listener. Maybe God’s choice not to speak to me much makes it easier to pour my heart out to him. It also helps that I know that He desires this.

Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow-only today of its strength.”