Thoughts From Proverbs 18

Proverbs 18:14; 17:22; 14:10; 1:3

¹⁴ The spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a broken spirit who can bear it?

The writer is constant in telling his readers that there is something worse than illness or injury. What he names as "crushed spirit" is what we know as depression.

The believer is not immune to depression. Sometimes it is physical, sometimes it is mental, and sometimes it is spiritual. If is spiritual it is most likely sin and unbelief, and any progress in a cure must begin with repentance.

If it is physical it may only be helped when it is treated with the proper medicine. Repentance will not heal diabetes. A “crushed spirit" is like a crushed foot. It is not helped by or with  counseling. Pain is helped and healing comes with the proper treatment.

A “crushed spirit" can come upon a believer from the death of a loved one, from a failure in an established relationship, or even from the loss of a beloved animal. What the Christian needs for help must be determined by the particular situation. There is no one cure that is the be-all and end-all of treatment. We do have the promise of Christ in Matt. 11:28-30; cf 11:29.

²⁸ “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”