5 things we learn from David Brainerd and his fight with Depression:

#1—Godly people can get depressed.

Jonathan Edwards writes in the introduction of Brainerd’s memoir,

“There is one thing in Mr. Brainerd, easily discernible by the following account of his life, which may be called an imperfection in him, which -- though not properly an imperfection of a moral nature, yet -- may possibly be made an objection against the extraordinary appearances of religion and devotion in him, by such as seek for objections against everything that can be produced in favor of true vital religion; and that is, that he was, by his constitution and natural temper, so prone to melancholy and dejection of spirit…..But that Mr. Brainerd's temper or constitution inclined him to despondency, is no just ground to suspect his extraordinary devotion to be only the fruit of a warm imagination….As to Mr. Brainerd in particular, notwithstanding his inclination to despondency, he was evidently one of those who usually are the furthest from a teeming imagination; being of a penetrating genius, of clear thought, of close reasoning, and a very exact judgment; as all know, who knew him.”

Yet Brainerd lived a godly life. His peers described him as a “holy” man. His memoirs revealed he was certainly a man “of the Word”. So why did he struggle with bouts of depression (i.e. melancholy)?

I think part of the answer lies in Edwards’ statement, “….and that is, that he was, by his constitution and natural temper, so prone to melancholy and dejection of spirit”. In other words, Brainerd was born with a propensity towards depression.

Here are Brainerd’s own words:

“I was from my youth somewhat sober, and inclined rather to melancholy than the contrary extreme; but do not remember anything of conviction of sin, worthy of remark, till I was, I believe, about seven or eight years of age.”

To be clear, Edwards’ words should not be understood as an excuse or a reference to a disposition that is exempt from the renewing power of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Rather, because humanity is born with sin, many individuals are more susceptible towards certain sins. Brainerd’s dark disposition was in a sense, his personalized consequence of Original Sin, which was used by the Father to cause “all things to work together for good” and to carve him into the image of His Son (Romans 8:28-29). 

Don’t forget…

· Elijah was so depressed he wanted to die (I Kings 19:4).

· King David experienced a spiritual depression because of his murderous / adulterous sin (Psa. 32:3-4)

· Job’s depression led him to curse the day he was born (Job 3:1).

· Solomon’s depression was ignited when his own efforts did not bring satisfaction (Ecc. 2:20).

All these men loved the Lord, but for a time succumbed to seasons of despair.

#2—Depression must be fought at the spiritual level.   

I am aware that some readers will criticize my narrow perspective on this issue. What about chemical imbalances? What if there was something medically wrong with the young missionary? To be clear, as a biblical counselor, the first task I give a counselee is to fill out a Personal Data Inventory Sheet, which among other things, asks the necessary medical questions.

But if there is no legitimate medical disorder, the counselee must conduct an all-out assault against sin (specifically in Brainerd’s case, the sin of unbelief). The mental and emotional presence of depression is not necessarily sin, but neglecting to “put on” the fruits of the Spirit and “put off “ the deeds of the flesh is both active and passive disobedience towards God. 

I hope I am not coming across as indifferent or insensitive. I can empathize to some degree with Brainerd. After a certain recent event in my life, I found myself in a state of depression. This condition is unusual for me and I could not seem to climb out of the pit of despair. I knew the right verses to meditate on, but I felt numb, both emotionally and physically. Though in previous dark times I have been able to “grind through”, but this time was different.

How did I pull out? After some long bouts of wrestling and arguing with God, I repented of my anxiety, impatience and lack of trust in God’s perfect plan. Then….

I chose to abide in Christ.

I chose to trust His plan and His promises.

I chose to believe that His word is truly sufficient.

I chose to have joy.

I chose re-engagement with the mission.

I chose to pray for others when I start to wallow in self-pity.

Do I still have dark moments that tempt me to slide into the mire of depression? Yes, but I strive to live the words of McCheyne who said, “For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ.”

#3—Too much spiritual introspection is harmful.

I wrote about this in a previous post, so I won’t rehash much. It is important to note that people that struggle with depression are often self-absorbed and prone to obsessive thoughts.

I mused,

“To be clear, some introspection is good, necessary and biblical. Paul evidently taught and lived the below truth.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

So, test yourself. Ask others to assess your spirituality. Pray that God reveals to you the pervasiveness of your sin. Small portions of this are necessary to become like Christ (Rom. 8:29). But be warned, excessive reflection is idolatry. Your personal sanctification becomes the idol. Mind you, this type of idolatry is rare (in my opinion), but if the heart is a factory of idolatry (as Calvin says), then each heart fashions different idols since each heart belongs to a uniquely created person.”

(To read the whole post, click here:  http://cpletter.blogspot.com/2012/11/david-brainerda-man-who-thought-often.html)

#4—Mental and physical fatigue increases depression tendencies.

Today’s medical community has established the connection between fatigue and depression. A recent medical study states,

“Depression and fatigue may feed off each other in a vicious cycle that makes it hard to determine where one begins and the other ends, according to a new study. Researchers found people who are depressed are more than four times as likely to develop unexplained fatigue, and those who suffer from fatigue are nearly three times as likely to become depressed.” (WebMD Health News—June 2004)

Ironically, Brainerd’s biographer labels his two greatest imperfections as being prone to melancholy and living in a state of constant fatigue. 

“Another imperfection in Mr. Brainerd, which may be observed in the following account of his life, was his life, was his being excessive in his labors; not taking due care to proportion his fatigues to his strength.”

As I wrote in a previous article, the reader must not judge the frail missionary too harshly. Yet the fact remained that Brainerd’s zealous fervor likely exasperated his dark disposition and took years off his life.

Brothers and sisters, run hard the race of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). But remember: ALL the greatest athletes take care of themselves, which includes knowing (and listening to) your physical limits.

Check out my previous post for some practical help regarding this issue.

http://cpletter.blogspot.com/2012/11/david-brainerda-man-who-didnt-take-care.html

#5—Don’t live according to your feelings.

This is the most important lesson the reader can absorb from the life of Brainerd. If you follow Jesus, but seem to be plagued with seasons of depression, please read carefully (and prayerfully) the following words.  

First and foremost, David Brainerd never let his feelings guide his life. His journal revealed that he constantly fought feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy. Yet instead of lying in bed, whining or numbing the pain, he bathed himself in the scriptures and continually asked for divine help. Did Brainerd always have strong affections for those Indians he was called to serve?  He admitted in his journal that often he did not. But did he choose to love them anyways? Yes, he did.

God simply wants our obedience. This is where faith lives. Scripture is clear, “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). One of my mentors used to say, “Think right, act right and someday you will feel right.” Remember, God never commands His children to act according to our feelings, but simply to act according to His will. 

Wayne Grudem, in his magnum opus Systematic Theology, states, “Sin makes us irrational”. The unavoidable reality is that our feelings will fluctuate until we are made perfect in Heaven.

2 Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Brainerd longed for Heaven. He longed for Christ. He longed to get rid of this perishable body. He longed for the eradication of his sin nature. He made an active decision to listen to the Spirit’s voice of illumination, rather than his frail feelings which tried to lead or keep him wallowing in Bunyan’s Slough of Despond.