Spurgeon's Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression

The term “cherry-picking” is often used pejoratively—I don’t use it that way here. Zach Eswine has mined Spurgeon’s sermons with the sort of care for detail a private investigator might employ in evaluating a target’s email. Spurgeon was both a sufferer of depression as well as a comforter of the depressed: he knows well of what he speaks. As Eswine demonstrates, the nineteenth-century “prince of preachers” provided a treasure-trove of wisdom regarding depression. Like Spurgeon’s own experience of depression, Eswine’s book is for two audiences: counselors and the depressed, as is made clear from its organization. Part One has to do with understanding the dark pit of depression. Sufferers will find that they are reading an author who understands their despair. Eswine’s use of metaphor and his commentary on the Scripture’s use of metaphor turns his writing into a thing of sensitive beauty, although counselors might itch for him to get from description to prescription (an impatience the author warns us about). Part Two, “Learning How to Help Those Who Suffer from Depression,” contains almost as many cautions for those seeking to help the depressed as it does positive directions for soul care. Chapter 7, “Helps that Harm” illustrates things not to do when caring for the depressed. Eswine provides good advice for weary souls who find themselves in the black night of despair in Part Three: “Learning Helps to Daily Cope with Depression.” In his chapter “Natural Helps” the author makes a case for the judicious use of medicine, as well as other remedies such as laughter and times of rest. His chapter on suicide is gentle but firm. This is an eminently usable volume: it is accessible to the average reader, it is full of excellent advice, heavily footnoted for those who wish to do extra study, and it’s brief (only 143 pages). It’s the sort of thing you can give a counselee or read yourself as a counselor. Eswine has done the world of Biblical Counseling a favor with this book; I recommend it highly. Five stars.

Zack Eswine has done a terrific job covering the subject of Christians who live with depression. I knew that the great Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) had struggled with depression, but not to the extent that Eswine writes about in his book, Spurgeon's Sorrows. Also, I did not realize that the debate of depression being a "mental illness" or just "sin" went as far back as the 1800’s among Christians as it is still does today. Christians have several opinions about depression. Some say that it is caused by mental illness, because there are no tangible facts to prove it, while others call it sin. Can both sides be right and wrong? What if depression for some is sin and for others is a mental illness? But, trying to simplify understanding depression does not help the sufferer, or those living with them. Eswine's book is a must-read for today's Christian. He writes: "In our conversation together, what we've learned thus far is this. If 'scientific and spiritual schools of thought' are both tempted to address depression by holding 'onto one explanation at the expense of the other,' Charles has invited us to resist this temptation." Every Christian can get depressed from a lack of faith, self-pity, from a sin being found out, and a number of other sinful reasons. But for those suffering from mental depression it is different. Spurgeon writes: "I would not blame all those who are much given to fear, for in some it is rather their disease than their sin, and more their misfortune than their faith.” The Prince of Preachers thought about suicide often. At least one time, Spurgeon was put on a two-week suicide watch at a hospital. He used different medications of the day to cope with his depression. Author Zack Eswine commented on living with depression this side of Heaven: "Conversion to Jesus isn't heaven, but a foretaste. This side of heaven, grace secures us but doesn't cure us." For those who have the mental illness of depression, Eswine has done them a huge favor. By writing this book about Charles Spurgeon suffering so much from depression, it gives the depressed hope. They are not alone. Depression has touched all arenas of people from the greatest to the least. Sadly, there is a negative stigma in the Christian community if you admit that you suffer from depression. Even more so if it is known that you see a non-Christian counselor and take medication, this book won't rid the stigma but will help you in not feeling ashamed. I only differed with one aspect of the book. On page 37, Eswine cited some biblical characters who had depression, "Job, King David, Elijah or our Lord Jesus." Although he was correct about the first three, I felt he was wrong in his opinion about Jesus. Jesus felt sadness to the point of tears, and experienced godly anger, joy, and many other emotions. But, depression would not have been one of those emotions. Mentally, Christ’s mind was perfect. His physical body was not marked by sin’s imperfections and weaknesses. I thought this was a very insightful book. Thank you, Pastor Eswine!

Spurgeon’s Sorrows is a helpful look at depression through the eyes of one of the most well-known preachers in recent times. By allowing us to peak into Spurgeon’s own battle with depression we find camaraderie and hope. Spurgeon knew well the darkness that can sometimes seem to hover relentlessly above, both due to physical ailments and spiritual battles, and yet he figured out how to manage and maneuver through it. Most importantly he didn’t let it pull him away from his Savior and he didn’t let it keep him from ministering to those before him. “Personally I know that there is nothing on earth that the human frame can suffer to be compared with despondency and prostration of the mind.” This book is divided into three main sections. The first is on understanding depression. People who suffer from depression, and those who care about someone who suffers from depression will both benefit from these chapters. Eswine does a great job at covering a few different causes of depression while tying in practical and biblical counsel. The second part concerns learning how to help those suffering with depression. These chapters offer some words of advice to those who don’t suffer from depression and therefore may not fully understand. Eswine debunks some commonly held myths and misconceptions and brings up some great approaches to how to be of benefit to the sufferer that you care for. The last part expounds on some helpful ways to cope with depression as a sufferer in the day-to-day. I really appreciated how he shared some very practical things, while grounding and continually re-grounding things with examples from Scripture. I picked this book up because I had heard it recommended by a few people I follow online. It particularly intrigued me because it wasn’t just a book on depression, but a book examining a great hero of the faith who was very public in sharing his struggle with depression. (On a side note, something about the cover is very welcoming and peaceful.) At a brief 143 pages, I made my way through it in two sittings. Even if you are a slow reader, you could finish it up pretty fast. I would (and will) recommend it to anyone walking through a season of depression, but beyond that I would (and will) recommend it to those that express a lack of understanding towards those struggling with depression.

I really enjoyed reading this book. Reading about depression from the Prince of Preacher's perspective really made me think twice about my go to answers on the subject. You may not agree with everything written in the book by you are sure to be helped by much of what is written!

Eswine’s books reads a bit like a compilation of Spurgeon quotes, but there are many nuggets of gold in it. Indeed, I found myself highlight as many of Eswine’s own comments as I did the quotes from Spurgeon which he arranged. As a sufferer of depression, I found the book very helpful, as the author points us to Scripture, to other fellow sufferers, to Spurgeon’s insights on the matter and the author’s own as well. Those who have loved-ones who struggle with depression may find it helpful also. Spurgeon and Eswine give words to what so many depressed people cannot, and the final section overs several good helps for those who care for those in the darkness.

This book is a good reminder that depression and darkness are not punishment, but can happen to even those of great faith like Charles Spurgeon. When I was in the darkest of times, it was interesting to walk the journey with somebody of such great reputation as Charles Spurgeon. It was comforting to know that he too suffered from depression. The book, though, did not point back to Spurgeon, but to God and His promises and faithfulness, that though times were hard, He can stop be trusted.

As someone who has and admittedly continues to struggle with depression, a few of the most difficult aspects of it is understanding my own thoughts and feelings, verbalizing these thoughts and feelings to those I care about, and the continual struggle of applying my faith to something very difficult. This book not only covers all aspects of this, but was a significant encouragement to read. Spurgeons struggle with depression allowed him to speak on it in such a way that only those who experience it can truly understand. I truly believe that God allowed him to experience his depression in order to minister to others who experience it themselves. This book is not a five point plan to getting 'better' written by a psychologist. This book is an examination of depression through a Christian lens from a fellow believer who walked through the trenches themselves. I strongly recommend this book to not only those who are going through it themselves, but those who have someone close to them who experience it as it will help you to understand their behavior and state of mind.

Those who've traversed the howling desert have things to say that no one else really can." (pg.89) Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers, suffered deep depression, yet he was not silent about his lifelong, unwelcome 'friend.' In this incredibly unique and refreshing book, Zack Eswine digs deep into the Spurgeon archives and mines gems that allow us to hear from Spurgeon himself regarding his experiences, his helps, his hopes and the dark pain that shadowed him to his grave. There are extensive footnotes at the bottom of each page to enable the reader to read the sermon or context surrounding the quotes. As the back of the cover states, "This is not a self help guide, but rather a 'handwritten note of one who wishes you well.' " Personal Thoughts: This book cheered my bleeding heart. While oftentimes there are no words to express what one is feeling, the words upon this book's pages are so accurate to the depressed condition that it hurts. Describing depression is about using a language of metaphors. As a sufferer, you search for just the right metaphor to describe your pain. You cling, with thankfulness, to the metaphors God has given you in the Psalms, and you receive the metaphors that fellow sufferers have spoken as whispered gifts of good friends. What a comfort to sit with Spurgeon, a brother and now a friend. How beautiful it is to sit and weep with him, knowing that on every page his voice says, "I understand."

Es una excelente obra recopilada y comentada, tanto para los que enfrentamos estados de ansiedad y depresión, así como también para las personas que nos rodean y aman para saber cómo tratar con nosotros. Expresa el amor, misericordia, fidelidad y gracia que el Señor nunca cesa de darnos, aún en los momentos más oscuros aunque no lo podamos ver o sentir El está ahí ❤️

Depression is so endemic that we (who do not suffer from it) need to understand it more if we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ and our enemies. I guess the difficulty is that we usually deploy our reason to understand things that we do not understand. As depression is beyond rationality, we are baffled by it. I believe that we all have episodes in life when we feel sad, dejected and sorrowful because of our circumstances, but these moods can be understood by reason and should be lifted once the circumstances have changed. Depression however goes beyond that and into the darkness of despondency, where it is like a dungeon, and hope is getting dimmer and dimmer out of sight. This is a book for both sufferers and caregivers. Sufferers may not have the ability to put into words of their experience, and will find comfort in this book that they are not alone and they are known, not just by veteran sufferers but by our Lord Jesus. Caregivers will gain an insight into this dark disease of mind and soul to help them reflect their ways in interacting with sufferers. This book is excellent in building the bridge between sufferers and caregivers by giving a voice to the sufferers and showing from the experience of the author and Spurgeon what help and coping mechanisms works. Systematically the author explains to us the circumstantial, biological and spiritual aspects to depression. Yet, "each person who shares the diagnosis of "depression" differs in kind. Like a snowflake, though similar textures and patterns exist for identification, no two depressions are equally alike." (p.63) It means there is no one-size-fit-all recommendations. This is exactly what my depressed friends tell me. The book dispels the myth that depression and faith are contradictory terms. Trawling through Spurgeon's insight, the author shows us how depression and faith sit together. It is astonishing to see God's word through the eyes of sufferers as they identify what non-sufferers would easily miss. Having read the book, I am convinced that God does understand depression and He speaks personal words to them - how gracious He is to include words of comfort and understanding in Scripture for them whom seem to have lost all hope. We all know Jesus' anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane or Job's cry to God or the troubled soul of the Psalmist or Elijah's request to die, but in the eyes of those who suffer from depression, those are reflection of their inner struggle and the very words that capture their turmoil. Skilfully, the author helps us learn from the experience of Spurgeon how to use God's word and promises to hang on in there, to see a light in the darkness no matter how flickering it is or to the light beyond the cloud which is beckoning. This speaks to me the power of God's word and the depth of His compassion. The book ends very positively. I think it will bring hope to sufferers. They may not see the benefits that Spurgoen sees but I believe that the book has given sufferers realistic hope and very useful practical tips how to live through it with God. At the same time, it also gives caregivers an insight into how to better support and comfort and understand the sufferers around them. I have always wondered if diverting attention from self to Christ would help alleviate depression. It is an important turning point in our Christian walk that the shift in orientation from self-centredness to God-centredness takes place. That shift changes our perspective and dwarfs the scale of our troubles in life. Yet I don't know if this is rationality talking. This is not addressed in the book. All in all, I think the book gives graphic examples of Rev 9:5-6: "They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them." I can see how Spurgeon says: "I am certain that I have seen more in the dark than ever I saw in the light - more stars, most certainly - more things in heaven if fewer things on earth." (p.138) It is a gift to have sufferers of depression in our midst as they are blessed with unique insights into the bible that escape non-sufferers. I pray that sufferers will see the purpose of their suffering like Spurgeon and the glory of God that they are favoured to glimpse will make it worthwhile and bring them comfort and immeasurable joy in the end.

Great little book, enjoyed reading. I recommend this book to those who are suffering with depression.

Spurgeon's Sorrows von Zack Eswine ist für mich das bisher beste Buch über Depression, das ich gelesen habe - und das sind nicht wenige. Der Autor versteht es, mit einem tiefen Einfühlungsvermögen in die Gedanken- und Lebenswelt von Depressiven und an anderen seelischen Erkrankungen Leidenden hineinzuführen. Dabei schafft er es, durch poetische Sprache und viele Bilder, das ich mich als Depressiver nicht nur verstanden fühle, sondern auch sprachfähig gegenüber meiner nicht-depressiven Umwelt werde. Als Leitfaden für sein Buch dient Eswine dabei das Leben des bekannten Baptistenpredigers Charles Spurgeon aus dem 19.Jahrhundert, der Zeit seines Lebens offen über seine eigene Depression gesprochen und gepredigt hat, wie das heute in wenigen christlichen Gemeinden der Fall ist. Das Buch ist bewusst kein Sachbuch, sondern möchte als Begleiter in schweren Stunden und für Begleiter in diesen Stunden fungieren. Die 140 Seiten sind ihr Geld in jedem Fall wert, wenn man denn des Englischen einigermaßen mächtig ist.

Very practical and interesting points of view!