1 Samuel 1:18
In this passage Hannah teaches us how to cope with the monstrosity of depression. For one thing, after a while Hannah acknowledges that she is a woman of a sorrowful spirit (1 Samuel 1:15). She had gotten to the point where she was no longer occasionally sad and overwhelmed, but her whole being was overtaken and enshrouded in a spirit of sadness and intense depression. She found herself in a very dark and lonely place, so overwhelmed that she refused to eat, wept constantly, fretted endlessly and just could not be encouraged or consoled (vv 6-8). Her spirit was broken, and her heart was just plain grieved over her predicament and circumstances. The only way she could adequately describe herself was a woman of a sorrowful disposition – depressed.
Today, even in the church, so many people are actively, clinically depressed. They come to church, go through the motions, but if truth be told they are really in a dark place emotionally and spiritually. Life, their life’s circumstances and situations have gotten to them. They weep more than they rejoice. They are here, but not here! Their body is in one place, but their minds have checked out. They have allowed all the adversarial situations of life to so get to them that they feel broken, whipped and completely defeated. Like Hannah, they have allowed their rival and adversary to get to them (v6). She listened to the enemy more than to that inner voice that was trying to affirm and validate her. They tell us these are some of the symptoms of depression:
- Sadness
- Trouble sleeping
- Reduced appetite
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Suicidal thoughts
- Feeling of worthlessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
Notice how Hannah came to worship and sacrifice, but it only ended up causing her to be more depressed and further sunken into the doldrums of depression. Thank God, Hannah’s journey does not end in the valley of gloomy depression.
Verse 9 – 18, methodically reveal to us how Hannah fought back. She eventually came to the realization that she needed help. Elkanah, her husband, attempted to reach her (v8). He tried to patiently reason with her and to counsel her, but to no avail. The fact is, at least he tried! He saw her pain and he did his best to acknowledge her grief and pain. May God help us today never to ignore the pain of the many that sit in our pews weekly. Like our Master, the church is obligated to have a ministry to those who are bowed down (Psalm 145: 14; 146:8) and broken by life.
The expression, “So Hannah rose up . . .” (v9), is very telling. She took all her pain and frustration and the source of her misery and depression and placed it on the altar. She came in the raw bitterness of her soul and prayed and wept sore (v10). She poured out the affliction of her soul before the Lord (v16). She prayed out of her anguish and grief. Her bands of depression were broken that day. He can help you not only cope with depression, but to overcome in Jesus’ name. “So, the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad” (v18). We come against depression in Jesus’ Name.
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
