Is it unspiritual to be depressed? Or perhaps, said better, is it necessarily unspiritual to be depressed? Most of us would agree that the answer is “no.” Of course we would want to include some nuance to affirm that spiritual malaise or emotional despondency can sometimes be the result of sinful thoughts or actions and in such cases there may be a connection with a lack of spirituality. But we also know that sometimes depression appears mysteriously, providentially, and unprovoked by any sin or transgression on our part. We know that some of the people who are most spiritually mature can still suffer through very dark valleys.

But while we affirm there is no necessary connection between depression and a lack of spiritual obedience or maturity, I do wonder whether our initial instincts sometimes betray us. I do wonder whether beneath our well-rehearsed answers there is a part of us that really does believe that depression and other forms of emotional distress or mental illness are associated with sin and immaturity.
This is an urgent issue to Paul Ritchie, a pastor in Ireland who struggles with depression, anxiety, and O.C.D. In his new book, Is It Unspiritual to Be Depressed?: Loved by God in the Midst of Pain, he discusses his own struggles with mental illness, seeks to help those who struggle in similar ways, and offers counsel to those who are attempting to help loved ones. “In this book,” he says, “I want to draw on my own experiences and thoughts on issues related to depression and anxiety. I am coming from an evangelical Christian perspective and I want to show you how the good news about Jesus is good news for your mental health. I want to do something to take away the stigma and misunderstanding that surrounds mental illness, particularly in church circles. There is also a chapter for those of you seeking to help people in your church or family who struggle with depression and anxiety.”
His hope, he explains, is that “as you read this short book, your confidence in the kindness of God will grow, and you will experience the truth that ‘the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit’ (Ps. 34:18).” To that end, he begins by defining depression and anxiety and explaining their origin in mankind’s fall into sin and then considers if and how Christianity is good for mental health. In answering the tricky question that gives title to the book he says this: “When I pray with people for physical and emotional healing, I allow for a time of silence where we can confess our sin. However, being depressed and anxious does not necessarily mean we have committed some particular sin to cause it. If God is using this pain to call you back to Himself, He will make that clear. Never assume that your depression and anxiety is caused by some unconfessed sin. Never accuse someone who is depressed or anxious of having done something wrong to bring about their pain. There are many other reasons why people struggle with anxiety and depression.”
One of the key chapters is titled “Is it Unspiritual To Be Depressed and Anxious?” and here he turns to scripture and the history of Christianity to show that depression and anxiety have often been present in God’s people. He also asks whether it’s sinful to worry (since, after all, the fruit of the Spirit includes joy) and whether Christians can take antidepressants under certain circumstances.
In the chapters that follow he goes on to discuss when and how Christians should speak about their mental health with other believers and medical professionals, how God means to help in times of struggle, and how those who are depressed can believe they are forgiven even when they feel so guilty. He also gently covers suicide before offering a number of ways each of us can help people in our own churches who are depressed and anxious.
Is it unspiritual to be depressed? This author answers with a confident “no” (or “no, not necessarily”) and does so in a well-written and helpful little book that I am certain will be a blessing to many. I’m very glad to recommend it to you with confidence that it will serve you well.

Buy from Amazon

From time to time I like to share one of our worship services from Grace Fellowship Church. In that vein, here is how we worshiped on one October Sunday morning. This week’s cast of characters included Paul as the service leader and preacher, Allie as the lead worshiper, and Patrick as the elder who prayed and read the sermon text. The band was comprised of piano, bass, guitar, and a cajone along with a second vocalist.

Welcome and Call to Worship (Paul)
Paul began the service with these words: “‘Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!’ This call to praise God comes from Psalm 113—a Psalm that glories in the fact there is no god like our God—the Creator, Saviour and King over all. So, let’s do what the Psalmist calls us to do and praise our God together!”
Singing (Allie)

“Come Praise and Glorify”

Confession and Word of Assurance (Paul)
“Isaiah 59 says, ‘Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.’ The God who saved you, knows your weakness and your failings. Maybe you got sinfully angry at your kids this week, or had really evil thoughts toward your spouse? Perhaps you secretly lusted after a co-worker or denied the Lord rather than speak up for His Name? Has He hidden His face from you? Then take hold of the promise that He will forgive all those who genuinely ask for it. Spend a few moments in silent prayer confessing your sins, and asking for His forgiveness.”
Then, after a few moments of silence: “Listen to the Word of the Lord to all those who have repented and hidden themselves afresh in Christ. ‘I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.’”
Singing (Allie)

“I Know that My Redeemer Lives”
“My Jesus I Love Thee”

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Noel)
Noel, a member of the band, led a brief prayer of thanksgiving.
Singing (Allie)

“Approach, My Soul, the Mercy Seat”

Pastoral Prayer (Patrick)
Patrick led the pastoral prayer and prayed for a number of matters pertaining to the life of the church.
Scripture Reading (Patrick)
Patrick read the two texts for the sermon—Matthew 28:16-20 and Acts 2:14-41. He prefaced his reading by saying, “This is what holy Scripture says” and ended it by saying, “This is the word of the Lord” to which the church responded with “Amen.”
Singing (Allie)

“Come Lowly Souls (Baptism Hymn)”

Sermon (Paul)
Paul preached a sermon titled “Baptism,” the second in a series on being a healthy church. The outline was as follows:

Baptism is an initiation rite.
Baptism is an initiation rite that follows conversion.
Baptism is an invitation rite that follows conversion and leads to membership in the church.

Singing (Allie)

“It Is Well with My Soul”

Commission & Benediction
Patrick called the church to live out the truths we had encountered in the service, then said, “Receive this blessing of the Lord from His Word: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.’” Then he said, “Please take just a moment of silence now to pray and ask God to seal these things to your life.”

I have wide-ranging tastes in music and will gladly listen to a host of different genres. Apple Music recently put together an accounting of all I listened to in 2023 and that got me thinking about the songs that resonated most. I eventually narrowed my favorites down to this list of 12—my 12 favorite songs of 2023 (with a few bonuses added in). I’ve included YouTube videos and a Spotify playlist if you’d like to give them a listen yourself. They are in no particular order.

(Note, if you’re reading this through the email newsletter and the formatting is broken, click through and read it on my site.)
“One Day (Far Side of Our Sorrow)” by Folk Hymnal
This sweet song of comfort is from the album “Folk Hymnal” and features Tyson Matthews. “Today we weep / But one day we won’t / So wail and cry those tears today / And grieve, but not without hope / Hallelujah! there’s a far side of our sorrow / Sing hallelujah! There’s a hope beyond the grave.”

[embedded content]

“He Will Keep Us” by Brook Hills Worship
This song, featuring Daniel Renstrom, is just one track in an extremely strong album. “If the Lord had not been on our side / If the Lord was silent when we cried / If He turned His face We’d be swept away / But He will not forsake his own / He will keep us now And forevermore / For His steadfast love Is forever sure / Even if hell may war We will trust the Lord / He will keep us now And forevermore.” I also really appreciate the songs “At the Glorious Cross” and “He’s Alive.”

[embedded content]

“The Lord Is By My Side” by CityAlight
There was obviously going to be a song by CityAlight in this list, but I had to work hard to pick just one. In the end I settled on “The Lord Is By My Side.” “I know my Shepherd gives me peace / the Lord is by my side / for every day he walks with me / the Lord is by my side / the Lord is by my side / Forever by my side / His hope, his strength, his peace is mine / The Lord is by my side.” If it wasn’t this, it would be “He Calls Me Friend,” and if not that, “My God Is All I Need.”

[embedded content]

“Love of Christ” by Carmel Worship
Carmel Worship sticks very close to the Scriptures in their songs, including this one which is based on Ephesians 3:18. “God would you give to us the strength / To comprehend together with all the saints / What is the breadth and length and height and depth / And to know the love of Christ.” I could as easily have chosen “Not Ashamed” which I appreciate every bit as much.

[embedded content]

“Fear Not For I Am With You (Jeremiah 45)” by Rachel Wilhelm
Rachel Wilhelm released an entire album based on the book of Jeremiah. “Fear Not For I Am With You” is apparently based on Jeremiah 45, but I’m pretty sure it’s actually Jeremiah 46:27-28. Its content is largely drawn from the passage and it’s set to an upbeat and catchy melody. “Don’t be discouraged, I am here to save you / Though I seem so far away. / You were created for rest and restoration / Hear me and don’t be afraid.”

[embedded content]

“All My Boast Is In Jesus” by Keith & Kristin Getty, Matt Boswell, and Matt Papa
This song by Getty Music features Keith and Kristyn Getty along with the songwriting duo of Matt Boswell & Matt Papa. “All my boast is in Jesus / All my hope is His love / And I will glory forever / In what the cross has done.”

[embedded content]

“Eternal Christ” by Redeemer Hymnal
“Eternal Christ” from Redeemer Hymnal features the band Sow & Tether and celebrates Christ as our eternal Savior. “Holy, Sovereign, Great / The begotten, the unmade / With mercy and might, He’s just and He’s right / eternal Christ.”

[embedded content]

“Awake My Soul (Psalm 57)” by The Worship Initiative
This song from The Worship Initiative features Shane & Shane and Mac Hays and beautifully adapts Psalm 57. The rest of the album is well worth a listen, as is the recently-released “Christmas with the Worship Initiative.” “You are exalted oh God above the heavens / Come let your glory cover the earth / You have saved me from the roaring lion / Awake my soul to love you / Awake my soul to sing.”

[embedded content]

“Praise The Lord (To God Be The Glory)” by Matthew West
This is a boisterous adaptation of the classic hymn “To God Be the Glory.” “Oh, praise the Lord / Let the earth hear His voice / Oh, praise the Lord / Let the people rejoice / Oh, come to the Father / Through Jesus His son / And give Him the glory / Great things He has done.”

[embedded content]

“Like A Tree (Psalm 1)” by Caroline Cobb
“Like a Tree” is a lovely adaptation of Psalm 1 by Caroline Cobb that doesn’t stray too far from the original psalm. “I wanna be like a tree by the river / Oh, plant me down by the deep, deep water / When the sun gets hot, my leaves won’t whither / Oh, plant me down like a tree by the river / Oh, plant me down by your deep deep water.” I also appreciate her mellow adaptation of Psalm 63 which she titles “Better Than Life.”

[embedded content]

“Sing With All Your Heart” by Mission House
This song rejoices in our unity with God and prays that God would grant us unity with one another. “Rejoice, again, I say rejoice / Sinners, strangers, we’re welcomed in / Lift up your hands, lift up your voice / Sing with all your heart he calls you friend.”

[embedded content]

“It’s Time” by The Rivers
I love the folk-style, vocal-driven treatment of this song. “I know it’s time to / Lay these troubles down / I’ve had enough / the burden is too much / I’ve got this song of / Deliverance in my heart / You lifted me / You set me free.”

[embedded content]