Day 4: Reasons for Spiritual Depression, Part 1

Yesterday we corrected three common misperceptions about depression. Today and tomorrow we look to the Scriptures to find five distinct reasons for personal despair or spiritual depression.

The first reason is unfulfilled expectations. We all have expectations. When they go unmet, the result may be spiritual depression. Solomon declared, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12, NIV). In Psalm 42, the sons of Korah described their thirst for God’s presence and comfort—and their inability to secure them: “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast” (v. 4). They felt cut off from spiritual life, unable to enjoy expected refreshment and relief. Like a thirsty deer desperate for water, they found no reprieve.

The sons of Korah's whole purpose was to organize and facilitate the public worship system of Israel. It was their life’s work to help shape the satisfying experience of connecting people to God in worship. It’s what they were made for, what they were called to, and what they expected they’d do the rest of their lives.

Whenever our purpose or our usefulness is challenged or impeded, we become susceptible to spiritual depression. This shows up when a person feels trapped in a marriage or in a job, or when a person is forced into retirement because of a medical condition. They start asking questions: “What use am I? What is my purpose?” We all have expectations in life, but some of our expectations are idealistic and unworkable—the perfect spouse, the perfect job, the perfect body, or the perfect church. When you live with unrealistic expectations and they don’t happen, you’ll come crashing down.

A second reason for spiritual depression is criticism. The authors of Psalms 42 and 43 were surrounded by critics who taunted them, saying, “Where is your God? You believe in God—where is He in all of this?” (see Psalm 42:3). And again, “As with a breaking of my bones, my enemies reproach me, while they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (Psalm 42:10). Later, the sons of Korah lamented, “You are the God of my strength; why do You cast me off? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?” (Psalm 43:2). They were being hit hard by their critics because of their beliefs.

Whenever you suffer for doing good or you’re mocked for doing the right thing, it produces anxiety. Proverbs 12:25 tells us, “Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression.” Christian students in secular universities, Christian workers amongst coworkers who are doubters and skeptics, and believers surrounded by an unbelieving family all experience this. Over and over they hear, “Where is your God?” Though we as Christians expect to be watched closely and even scrutinized, criticism can still wear us down. 

For Further Thought

If you have experienced or think you may be experiencing depression, which of the two reasons given today best explains your situation: unfulfilled expectations or criticism? If neither of those resonates, we'll look at several more reasons tomorrow.