You Are Not AloneSample

Perhaps the earliest Biblical example of depression comes from Job. The story of Job is one of the oldest in Scripture, telling of Job, a man of great wealth and stature who lost everything in a single day. We know that Job was a blameless, God-fearing man who shunned evil. He was a righteous man who often prayed and offered sacrifices for his children. The story opens with a conversation between God and Satan where Satan claims Job’s righteousness is because God has blessed every area of his life. God allows Satan to test Job’s faith through assaults on Job’s wealth, family, and, ultimately, his health.

Job became very depressed, though who could blame him? He had lost his children, wealth, health, and community standing. Anyone who experienced those kinds of losses would be depressed. Adding to Job’s grief, his wife was unsupportive of his response to these tragedies. Three friends came to sit with him, but blamed him for his circumstances and accused him of hidden sin, justifying God’s wrath.

In the later conversations with these friends, we find evidence of Job’s deep-seated depression. Job 3:1 says, “Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” This thought continues in Job 3:11, “Why did I not die at birth, come out of the womb and expire?” He is so depressed that he wishes that he had never been born.

Job 3:21-22 tell us that Job hoped for death. Job 9:21 tells us that he hated his life. In Job 17:1, Job acknowledges his broken spirit and says the grave is ready for him. Job was so down that he wanted to die. These are all forms of suicidal ideation and the words of a man in deep grief.

Many people believe losing a child is one of the most significant challenges a person can face, let alone losing all of them. Add to that his other losses, and Job’s sadness was fully warranted. While Job had good reason to be depressed, you may be depressed for no identifiable cause. The critical thing to remember about Job’s depression was that while Job despised his life, he did not despise God. We can also take comfort in knowing that Job’s trials were not the result of God’s displeasure with Job or punishment for wrongdoing. The Bible’s inclusion of Job’s story should comfort those who struggle with depression, especially in the wake of great personal tragedy. You can know that you are not alone and may be faultless in your depression. Job was there, too.