Depression: Madness in the Palace
I Samuel 15:24 –16:1; 14--18
But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
I Sam. 16: 14-15 (KJV)
Depression is a complex and dangerous mental health condition that cuts across every facet of humanity and often seems so tacit in description and definitions. It is complex because, it relates to developmental factors and biological factors, negative thinking, life stress and confusion, anger and guilt which may cause numerous and varying cases of disillusionment. Among the effects of depression are physical problems such as headaches, digestive disorders, chronic pains which do not respond to treatments; and emotional disorders that can span over long or short period of time. Others are shortened attention span, daydreaming, insomnia or oversleeping, bipolarism, withdrawal syndromes, suicidal tendencies and other depressive instincts occasioned by hormonal imbalances.
Among the biblical characters that best fitted the definition of depression by most Bible dictionaries was King Saul. Whereas depression is expressed as an illness that involves the body, mood and thought, it is a state of feeling sad which may affect the way people eats, sleeps, feels about themself, and thinks about things. Webster’s Tenth Collegiate added “a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies.”
In today’s passage, King Saul could not contain the news of his sin and rejection as a king, moreso, the fact that the kingdom has been given to his preferred neighbor—David the shepherd boy. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou (I Sa 15:27, 28). In response to his predicament he resumed inward and later began to manifest anger and hatred towards David. And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee (I Sa. 16:15).
The Bible speaks of depression in terms of a ‘soul cast down’ or ‘disquieted spirit.’ Psalm 42:5a pictured the agony in the word. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Likewise, Jesus Christ was not spared by the plague of emotional disturbances. He began to show grief and distress of mind and was deeply distressed. Then He said to [Peter, James and John] My soul is very sad and grieved, so that I am almost dying of sorrow (Mt. 26: 36b-37a Amp). So, it is not abnormal to be depressed.
Although, most people do not ‘snap out’ of extreme state of depression, but Jesus simply revealed the way out by sharing his emotion with his disciples and God. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, (Mt. 26:37-38a).
This action of our Lord shows we can depend on, and share with each other when we have issues. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself (Gal 6:2, 3). Remember, A bottled-up feelings may block efforts at moving out of depression, but as believers, we can prayerfully adopt the following strategies to overcome.
?Sympathize—show concerns. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God ( I Pe 4:10)
?Empathize—put ourselves in like situations. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God (II Co. 1:4)
?Identify abnormalities, vital signs, changes, etc. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Pe. 5:8)
?Assist, tolerate and create an environment free of stressors. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do (I Thes. 5:11)
?Pray for and pray with victims of depression. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you (I Peter 5:7)
?Share scriptures and worship for relief. Wherefore comfort one another with these words (I Thes. 4:18)
Shalom
