This depression comes over me whenever the Lord is preparing a larger blessing for my ministry. The cloud is black before it breaks and overshadows before it yields its deluge of mercy.
Depression has now become to me as a prophet in rough clothing, a John the Baptist heralding the nearer coming of my Lord’s richer benison. So have far better men found it. The scouring of the vessel has fitted it for the Master’s use.
Immersion in suffering has preceded the filling of the Holy Ghost. Fasting gives an appetite for the banquet. The Lord is revealed in the backside of the desert, while His servant keeps the sheep and waits in solitary awe.
The wilderness is the way to Canaan. The low valley leads to the towering mountain. Defeat prepares for victory. The raven is sent forth before the dove. The darkest hour of the night precedes the day-dawn.
The mariners go down to the depths, but the next wave makes them mount to the heaven. Their soul is melted because of trouble before He bringeth them to their desired haven.” ~ Charles Hadden Spurgeon
He preached over 600 times before the age of 20. His sermons sold about 25,000 copies a week and were translated into 20 languages. The collected sermons fill 63 volumes and stands as “the largest set of books by a single author in the history of Christianity.”
Yet Spurgeon openly struggled with both physical (gout) and mental (depression) illness that required him to be out sometimes months at a time. In his sermon, “When a Preacher is Downcast”, Spurgeon offers struggling pastors some simple advice (such as exercise, recreation, and regular time off). He also observes that his periods of depression often preceed major ministry challenges.
I hope that those of us that suffer from clinical depression can gather strength from Mr. Spurgeon's story.
Story and picture taken from - http://pistolpete.wordpress.com/2008/12/07/spurgeon-on-depression/
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