During my early years in ministry, I thought depression was nothing more than a figment of imagination among people who lacked mental toughness. My brother battled depression for years, but I didn’t pay much attention to it. Pastors who said they battled depression? Please. These are men of God who spend all their time in God’s Word and prayer. They walk arm-in-arm with Jesus every day; of all people, they shouldn’t be depressed. What about Spurgeon? Probably an anomaly. Luther and Bunyan? I would’ve been melancholy too without electricity and modern medicine and habitually on the run from church authorities, or locked behind bars. So naïve . . . and yes, stupid.

Because God loved me too much to allow me to continue with such an ignorant view of depression, he sent a ministry earthquake to shake these arrogant and foolish notions out of my heart and mind. God destroyed my first full-time pastorate and allowed me to tumble down the stairs of self-pity into the dark dungeon of depression. Flat on my back, I could only look up to him. Needless to say, after battling depression for the better part of eight years, I now see it—with 20-20 clarity. Depression is real and pastors seem especially susceptible to the darkest forms of it—even me.

But should pastors admit it to their congregation and others? In his article, Should Pastors Admit They Struggle with Depression?, Mark Meynell thinks they should consider it. As he writes, “Church ministry, for all its rewards and joys, is often lonely, stressful, and caged by unreal expectations. Pastoral work is never done; it’s relentless.” Indeed. Anyone who’s pastored for very long can confirm that. Plus, we are weak vessels, mere clay pots susceptible to significant cracking. Pastor, read Meynell and if you suffer from depression, consider finding help by talking to others about it. It may be the very thing God uses to make you a more humble and skilled physician of souls.