Befriending the Darkness
PAGE 3 of 3
In some respects the depression has eased—I am rarely rendered completely numb and incapable. I rarely now descend to uncontrollable weeping (though it still can happen). But in other respects it is worse; it is more continuous. There used to be periods when I felt entirely "normal," but now, even in the best of times, the darkness is a lingering presence on the margins of my mind, never wholly absent, always threatening. Is this darkness truly unending? Will it endure forever?
In Psalm 22 the psalmist cries out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But he also confesses God's faithfulness while knowing no relief from his distress, no light in the darkness, no break in the silence. Christ's cry of dereliction on the cross echoes the psalmist's cry, but we know that his cry was not the last word, nor the end of the story. Our cries can similarly echo the psalmist's cry, and when we struggle to express our anguish, we can make his words our own. But we cannot pray his prayer without coming to his confession, without knowing that, as an outcome of Jesus' unique suffering, our suffering and distress is not the last word. We do not suffer alone and our suffering cannot possibly be final or ultimate.
The Son of Man has suffered, and nothing, not even our despairing desolation, can ever be quite the same again.
Excerpted from Why Have You Forsaken Me? (Cascade, 2012)
John E. Colwell is Minister of Budleigh Salterton Baptist Church, Devon and Honorary Research Fellow at Spurgeon's College, London.
Copyright © 2013 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.
Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
PAGE 3 of 3
Subscribe to read more
Subscribe Today!
- One risk-free issue
- Instant access to all Leadership Journal web content
- OFFER DETAILS
rating & comments
Average User Rating:
Displaying 1–5 of 7 comments
Naomi O
Your story made me to read the book of Job, when he was lamenting. But one thing i know is that God is present in all these pains and depressions.
Cynthia
This was such a great, transparent, and candid article. I am sharing it with many friends who, like me, can relate. Our pastor is doing a series called Enjoying God. Here is the link http://www.efcc.org/resources/sermons/. Even the worship has helped to lift me out of some terribly overwhelming darkness. His sermon last week spoke right to those of us who suffer from these swings. Also, I read a book called "The Mood Cure" by Julia Ross, which has helped me to self diagnose my issues and use homeopathic remedies which do not inhibit my own emotional states. The remedies really help me just be able to control them better. I notice the effects of the remedies immediately and really can tell when I forget to take them. Thank you again for your candor.
Louise
'our suffering and distress is not the final word.' Thank You, God.
Melody Harrison Hanson
Thank you. As a fellow sufferer, I thank you for this reflection and for the hope I find there. Even tho, "the darkness is a lingering presence on the margins of my mind, never wholly absent, always threatening. Is this darkness truly unending? Will it endure forever?" It's been ten years for me, off and on, but going off medication helped me to cry again.
Susan
And yet, there are other medications besides lithium, probably many new ones since the author first was diagnosed. I have struggled with depression for many years, and have partial relief with medication. Without medication, I would be overwhelmed with unbearable pain. It isn't always a choice between medication and fullness of life - sometimes medication just gives a stronger base that allows a person back into life. It can be like insulin to a diabetic - supplying something that the body lacks.
(on articles open to the public, you must at least register for a free account).
