Finding Hope in the Darkness: How Biblical Counseling Helps with Depression

Charles Spurgeon is remembered as the “Prince of Preachers,” a titan of the pulpit whose sermons have crossed centuries and continents. But behind his public ministry was a man intimately acquainted with the shadow of depression. Spurgeon’s openness about his struggles is striking, not just for his era, but even by today’s standards. His honesty and compassion toward those suffering in the same way make his story as relevant now as it was in Victorian England.

The Weight That Would Not Lift

Spurgeon didn’t try to hide or sugarcoat his experience. He spoke of depression as something that could strike “causelessly,” like a storm rolling in out of nowhere. “Causeless depression cannot be reasoned with, nor can David's harp charm it away by sweet discoursings,” he once wrote¹. The darkness he described wasn’t always tied to circumstance—sometimes it simply descended, unexplained and uninvited.

What Fueled His Struggle?

So what made Spurgeon vulnerable to these “black dogs,” as Churchill would later call his depressions? The answer is complicated. Physically, Spurgeon was often unwell. He dealt with chronic illnesses like gout and kidney disease, which likely worsened his mental state². Then there were the traumas of ministry: the infamous Surrey Gardens Music Hall disaster in 1856, where a stampede during his sermon led to several deaths, haunted him for years, and marked the beginning of more severe bouts of depression³.

But Spurgeon never saw depression as a simple moral failing or a lack of faith. He believed it was a mix of body, mind, and soul—often mysterious, always real.

Speaking to the Suffering

What’s remarkable is how Spurgeon refused to let shame win. He talked openly about his “hours of darkness” and even preached about them. He saw his suffering as a tool for empathy, a way to comfort others. “The mind can descend far lower than the body, for in it there are bottomless pits… the soul can bleed in ten thousand ways, and die over and over again each hour,” he admitted¹. In the pulpit and in print, he told his listeners and readers that brokenness did not make them less loved or less useful to God.

Faith and Practicality

Spurgeon’s approach was gentle and wise. He urged those in the pit to seek both God and practical help, never reducing complex pain to a simple spiritual problem. He rejected the idea that depression was just a sign of weak faith, writing and preaching that it could serve to humble believers and draw them closer to God². He was ahead of his time in recognizing the need for compassion, patience, and understanding.

Why Spurgeon Still Matters

Spurgeon’s willingness to speak about his own darkness offers a model of vulnerability for Christians—and really, for anyone—today. His words are a reminder that faith and mental health aren’t at odds, and that no one is disqualified from hope or purpose because they struggle.

In a world where depression still carries stigma, Spurgeon’s honesty is a breath of fresh air. He reminds us that the light isn’t any less real for those who walk through the valley—sometimes, it’s those who know the night best who can speak most truly about what it means to see the dawn.

Why Biblical Counseling Is Good for Depression

Biblical counseling can be a helpful approach for people struggling with depression, especially those who want their faith to be part of their healing process.

First, biblical counseling doesn’t treat depression as just a set of symptoms—it looks at the whole person. Counselors pay attention to spiritual, emotional, and sometimes physical needs, recognizing that depression often has tangled roots. They help people explore not just what’s happening in their minds, but what’s happening in their hearts and lives, too.

Biblical counseling offers hope grounded in something bigger than changing moods or circumstances. It points people to scriptural truths about God’s presence, love, and purpose, even in suffering. For many, the assurance that they are not alone—that God cares about them in their pain—can be deeply comforting.

It also encourages honesty about weakness, following the example of biblical figures (like David, Elijah, or even Paul) who struggled and cried out to God. In biblical counseling, there’s no need to pretend everything is okay. Counselors encourage people to bring their struggles into the light, helping them process guilt, shame, or anger in a safe, faith-filled setting.

Finally, biblical counseling often happens in the context of a supportive community. It’s not just about “fixing” a problem, but about helping people reconnect with others, find meaning, and experience love and acceptance. For Christians, this can make the church feel less like a place for “perfect” people and more like a refuge for real, hurting humans.

While it’s not a replacement for medical treatment when needed, biblical counseling can be a powerful support for those battling depression, offering hope, perspective, and practical steps forward—rooted in faith and compassion.

Footnotes

1. M. Pierce, "Charles Haddon Spurgeon on Depression," Whitworth University

2. W.B. Albert, "When the Wind Blows Cold: The Spirituality of Suffering and Depression in the Life and Ministry of Charles Spurgeon," SBTS Repository

3. J. Piper, "Charles Spurgeon: Preaching through Adversity," Sound Living