Like a deep, dark sea, depression can overwhelm a person. Christians are not immune to it; many a well-known man or woman of the faith wrestled with it, including the famous 19th century preacher and writer Charles Spurgeon and the 18th century poet and hymnist William Cowper. Job groaned in his grief (Job 17:7). David did, too (Psalm 31:9). Even Solomon in all his splendor despaired (Ecclesiastes 2:20).
But the good news is that Jesus changes depression, too. In those dark times, the Word of God offers the hope and light we need.
Verses like Isaiah 42:3 or Matthew 12:20 point us to Jesus because He changes everything. We are reminded of His tenderness. Beaten down though we are, He will not cut us off. Though our light barely flickers, He’ll never snuff it out. The Lord is kind to His children, which is why the psalmist can point himself to the exit door of his depression when he says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (42:5).