They crouch unseen in the shadows, growling to the impressionable minds of children. They lurk under beds; they haunt dreams; they scar imaginations.
Monsters are very real to us, at least when we are children. But then we grow up a bit, the shadows no longer hold fear, and the nights are no longer home to unseen and yet deadly enemies. Our monsters shrivel up and die as we get taller, stronger and ever more confident. By the time we reach adulthood, no monster dares to trouble us, for they have been relegated to the status of onscreen entertainment, to be turned on or off at our pleasure.
But at some point along the way, a low growl once again begins to rumble. Most adults simply shake it off, laugh nervously and go about their business. But the monster, this time, will not be so easily dispatched, for unlike the monsters of youth, this monster is very real.
This monster cannot be killed in any of the normal ways. No stake to the heart, no silver bullet, no cutting off the head, and no turning on of the lights will send it to its doom. Worst of all, people soon find that this monster becomes a part of them, and devours them from the inside out, slowly and painfully.
Some of you have already begun to suspect the identity of this beast, for you either have been confronted with it or perhaps are, right now, battling it for your very survival. This beast from the depths is depression.
Depression often, in Christian circles, receives a bit of a skeptical treatment. A somewhat odd website categorizes depression as "the denial of God." Yet Scripture and history are replete with examples of some very good and godly people who battled with depression.
One of the world's greatest preachers lived from 1834 until 1892. Most people do not know, though, that he was often plunged into the depths of severe depression. In a biography of this preacher, Arnold Dallimore wrote, "What he suffered in those times of darkness we may not know ... even his desperate calling on God brought no relief. 'There are dungeons', this preacher said, 'beneath the castles of despair.'"
This depressed preacher was none other than the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known to many as the "Prince of Preachers."
The clearest example in the Bible of a depressed person was the great prophet Elijah. In 1 Kings 18, he called fire down from heaven. But one chapter later he found himself running for his life, alone and weary. He fell into such a depression that he literally wanted to die. Elijah. One of the greatest and godliest men who ever lived.
Yes, depression is real. But I write this column not to state the obvious, but to offer some encouragement. By the time 1 Kings 19 came to an end, Elijah had victory over that depression. He had found new purpose in life; he made a lifelong friend; he heard from God; the sun truly shined again for him.
When you are battling depression, you can count on the devil telling you that things will never get better. That being the case, half the battle is realizing what a monumental lie he is telling you. The sun does shine again. The cool breeze will kiss your skin again. You will laugh again. Keep living, keep hoping, keep putting one foot in front of the other, get some good counseling from a pastor or a trusted and skilled advisor, see a doctor, spend more time in prayer than ever. Whatever route or routes you take, just don't give up.
Monsters can be killed, even this one. And if it comes back, as monsters often do, kill it all over again.
Bo Wagner is pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Mooresboro, N.C., and the author of several books which are available at wordofhismouth.com. Contact him at 2knowhim@cbc-web.org.