Spurgeon's Sorrows: Realistic Hope for Those Who Suffer from Depression

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.

I bought this book a number of months ago and have been reading slowly through its pages with sorrow, tears, gladness and hope...i have a very dear loved one who has this year gone into such a deep depression i feared i might lose them. By God's good graces they are still here and are continuing to struggle through each hard day....this book opened my eyes so much in how to listen and be there for them and also helped my own hope continue to hold fast to God's promises and give me strength. My loved one who suffers in much pain with depression has only just begun reading this book themselves. I had been sharing small potions with them over the months i have been reading, but recently they have gained enough focus and energy (which sadly has been hard for them to have this long while now) themselves and have found much solace in the words and a kind of understanding within the pages of this book as it shares the words of Spurgeon who also suffered greatly in his lifetime...yet endured to the end with God's promises.i cannot recommend this book enough to those who have loved ones in a dark place of no hope, it will strengthened your own hope and equip you with practical ways to help.

I have read much about depression. But this is a must for every Christian! If you want to help sb with depression, read it! If you have depression, read it! If you want to understand, read it!It is the most concise, precise, encoouraging, comforting and challenging book i ever read with that gentle emphathy and sympathy of the great Preacher. I have highlighted 90% of the whole book. What is not highlighted are basically just index pages so to say.

A must if you are a Christian and suffer from depression.It handles the issues of spiritual depression so sensitively and with deep understanding. Non-judgemental. There is even a chapter on suicide.It’s a balm for the troubled soul.

I've been suffering from depression for more than 10 years now. I just couldn't shake off the feeling whenever I'm seized by it. My pastor recommended this book to me recently and I'm very graceful for it's been written.

Brilliantly honest book - I thoroughly recommend it to anybody going through the abyss of depression. Very liberating to be reassured that God does not judge Christians suffering with depression as lacking faith and spirituality. Thank God for people such as the great late Charles Spurgeon and also Zack Eswine who wrote this truly liberating book.

Zack has a way of writing that is both theologically rich and extremely personal. What a joyful read for the weary traveller and a reminder of our suffering saviours love for us in the midst of sorrows.

Excellent book, containing helpful teaching and practical help.