“The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?” Proverbs 18:14 NKJV
In 1835 a man visited a doctor in Florence, Italy. He was filled with anxiety and exhausted from lack of sleep. He couldn't eat, and he avoided his friends. The doctor examined him and found that he was in prime physical condition. Concluding that his patient needed to have a good time, the physician told him about a circus in town and its star performer, a clown named Grimaldi. Night after night he had the people rolling in the aisles. "You must go and see him," the doctor advised. "Grimaldi is the world's funniest clown. He'll make you laugh and cure your sadness." "No," replied the despairing man, "he can't help me. you see, I am Grimaldi!"
Yesterday marked 12 years since the untimely death of comedian Robin Williams. He was undeniably a gifted comedian, actor, stand-up comic and dear friend to those closest to him. I was especially fond of him because he was an unabashed Episcopalian. He liked to refer to his church as “Catholic Lite—you know, all the pageantry, only half the guilt.” He also came up with “Top Ten Reasons to be an Episcopalian,” which included such things as “No snake handling,” “Free wine on Sundays,” and “No matter what you believe, there is bound to be at least one other Episcopalian who agrees with you.”
Several years ago, while in San Francisco, I dined at Luigi”s Pizzeria and Restaurant on Columbus Avenue (Sadly, it is closed now). At the time, Luigi’s was also known affectionately as “An Italian Comedy Café.” All of the wait staff were aspiring comedians and plied their trade tableside as they served dinner. Our waiter that night (who was indeed pretty funny) asked if we knew where we were. Of course, we all said, “Luigi’s.” He smiled and said, “You are sitting at the same table where I was a few years ago, when my waiter was the funniest guy I had ever heard. You probably know him. His name was Robin Williams.” There is no doubt the world will miss Robin Williams.
But perhaps he was more like Grimaldi than we, admirers and beneficiaries of his wit and humor, want to admit. While outwardly giving us all laughter and joy, inwardly he was a tormented man. Not so unheard of among famous comedians. And not so unheard of among the general population. It is estimated that one in five persons in this country suffer from some form of depression. That number is much higher among certain groups, such as health care workers, law enforcement, and combat veterans. Long-term, untreated depression has fatal consequences. For example, in this country, an average of twenty-two military veterans a day commit suicide. Though we seem to hear a lot about afflictions such as PTSD and postpartum depression, depression itself is not a product of our modern society. Throughout history, many famous people have suffered from depression, including Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Sir Isaac Newton and Ludwig Von Beethoven. Even the Bible is filled with those whose inner soul was tormented: Abraham, Job, Elijah, and King David, to name a few.
Discouragement, anxiety and depression are normal products of being human. Most of us have been subject to them as some point in our lives. There are people all around us who are carrying heavy burdens and pain inside. Many of them, like Grimaldi, exhibit no symptoms, but the bomb inside of them is ticking. Maybe you are one of those people. I was many years ago. The feeling is like being sucked into a whirlpool, fully aware of what is happening yet powerless to stop it on your own. The good news is there is a Power greater than you and I whose desire for us is health and joy and happiness. I’m convinced that, while there are many good treatments and medications for depression, God alone is able to free one from its clutches. “If I could point to one event that was a turning point for me, it would be when my sweet mother gave me Tim LaHaye’s How to Win Over Depression. First published in 1974 and subsequently revised and updated with over a million copies in print, the book helped me see depression through both biblical and practical lenses and gave me principles that became important in my own recovery. The thing that makes this amazing and timeless book different from so many other secular “self-help” books out there is its focus on biblical principles and God as the source of our help.
The message is clear. When depression hits, fix your eyes and your heart firmly on God, His power, and His unfailing love for you. He alone can restore your joy. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV).
Prayer: Dear Lord, you are our refuge in good and in bad times. In your infinite mercy, bring peace and comfort to those of us who face days sometimes filled with pain and depression. Help us to realize that through you there is joy and the promise of lasting peace. Help us through the rough times. Walk before and beside us so that we may always walk in your footsteps and reach out to you in our journey on this earth. Help us to focus on our blessings rather than our misfortunes, dear Lord. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers. Amen
Blessings,
Steve+
