Many people know the 19th-century pastor and writer Charles Spurgeon for his riveting writing and memorable quotes about the Christian lifestyle. He is regarded as a pillar of the Baptist movement, and his influence remains substantial today. Despite his popularity, many people know nothing of Spurgeon’s battle with depression. This depression resulted from an event that happened in 1856, when Spurgeon was 22. He was preaching to a congregation of over 10,000 in London when someone mistakenly shouted “Fire!” A stampede ensued and killed seven people, leaving many more injured. Spurgeon did nothing to cause this, but he felt all of the guilt. He developed severe depression.
He described it as “a horror of great darkness.” This darkness plagued him, though he continued to preach. For years, his psyche was damaged. Today, many still view mental struggles as a sign of spiritual weakness. In the 19th century, this mindset was considerably amplified. Spurgeon was instructed to “pray more” and “have more faith.” Some even suggested that his salvation wasn’t sincere.
But the truth that Spurgeon came to realize is that depression did not disqualify him from God’s love or the reach of the Cross. In depression, his sermons were defined by his weakness, and God’s strength was magnified thereby. His ministry’s effectiveness bloomed. He began to speak about his struggles and glorify God for seeing him through each time. Depression, anxiety, and mental shortcomings are a reality in life if you are honest with yourself. But nothing can make you more adequate for God’s grace, and nothing can remove you from it either. Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” By faith in Christ’s finished work, you are justified, and peace is sequential. Joy can not be viewed as equivalent to happiness, as happiness is fleeting, but with joy comes assurance that it is well despite your current condition, that is, in hope of your position in Christ (Romans 8:17).
