Sorrows are inevitable in this life, yet as people are so often caught off guard by it.
Charles Spurgeon the “prince of preacher” a pastor-theologian was no stranger to suffering. From the early on in his youth and throughout his entire life, he faced dark times of the soul characterized by distress and depression.
As David Powlison said it well, “The river of life often flows through sloughs of despond. Charles Spurgeon knew that well.”
How did he face all those? By the grace of God alone.
If a man so great as Spurgeon suffered from depression, then many of God’s men today will most likely face the dark-night of the soul in the valley moments.
There is much we can learn from Spurgeon’s life and how he faced depression yet had unshakable hope that is found in Christ alone.
Here are 10 quotes of how Spurgeon faced the sorrows of life.
1. If God cares for you, why need you care too? Can you trust Him for your soul, and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens; He has never fainted under their weight. Come, then, soul! have done with fretful care, and leave all thy concerns in the hand of a gracious God. – Charles Spurgeon
2. The troubles of this life; take them as they come, cheerfully and contentedly, thankfully praising God that there is good in the evil, and sweetness in the bitter. Take it all. It will not last long. – Charles Spurgeon
3. There are seasons when doubts and fears abound, and so suffocate us with their fumes that we cannot even raise a cry, and then the indwelling Spirit represents us, and speaks for us, and makes intercession for us, crying in our name. – Charles Spurgeon
4. We have plenty of troubles and trials, and if we like to fret over them, we can always do that; but, then, we have far more joys than troubles, so our songs should exceed our sighs. – Charles Spurgeon
5. Our infirmities become the black velvet on which the diamond of God’s love glitters all the more brightly. Thank God I can suffer, thank God I can be made the object of shame and contempt; for, in this way, God shall be glorified. – Charles Spurgeon
6. When you are bowed down beneath a heavy burden of sorrow, then take to worshipping the Lord, and especially to that kind of worshipping which lies in adoring God, and in making a full surrender of yourself to the divine will. – Charles Spurgeon
7. Our winters shall not frown forever; summer shall soon smile. The tide will not eternally ebb out; the floods retrace their march. The night shall not hang its darkness forever over our souls; the sun shall yet arise with healing beneath his wings. – Charles Spurgeon
8. Better to be taught by suffering than to be taught by sin! Better to lie in God’s dungeon than to revel in the devil’s palace. – Charles Spurgeon
9. If there are any of you in great trouble, I would like to remind you of this fact, that faith in Jesus is the best cure for every care, the best balm for every wound. Get you away to Jesus; at the foot of his cross is the best place for mourners. – Charles Spurgeon
10. Half our fears arise from the neglect of the Bible. Our spirits sink for want of the heavenly food stored up in the inspired Volume. – Charles Spurgeon
What other quotes would you add to this list?