I consider Martyn Lloyd Jones to be one of the greatest bible expositors ever. His book Spiritual Depression is one of the best I have read. As is true with most of his books, it is simply a copy of his sermons; each chapter consists of one forty minute sermon, twenty one sermons in this book.

As for my next few blogs, I have highlighted in the book what I consider to be key thoughts for me, and so, I will write on those areas.

In this first blog, in the first chapter entitled General Considerations, we will look at Psalm 42:11.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me?

Hope in God;

For I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God.

This verse, along with verse 5, is the text for Lloyd Jones’ sermon. It is a very basic idea that the Psalmist is suggesting, to help us with any sadness we are having. He tells us simply to talk to ourselves instead of having ourselves talk to us. Lloyd Jones says,

We must talk to ourselves instead of allowing ourselves to talk to us…Most of our unhappiness is due to the fact that we [listen to ourselves too much].

So when we feel sad we must say to ourselves: “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God.” Then also remind yourself of who God is and what He has done for you, and what He wants to do for you.

These self-talk exercises may seem like psychology, but it is very good psychology. It is bible psychology. And it will help our unbelief and our errored thinking. These days when we have so many false ideas swirling around in our head, we need to constantly tell ourselves of what is true and how God loves us. The whole problem with those who get easily depressed is that they are letting the devil take a hold of self and he is using our thoughts against us. We need new thoughts, thoughts that will give us new hope and a bright outlook on life.