In a time of troubleThe feeling of incompetence and the depression.
Missionary work often brings us a sense of incompetence. When we see the enormous task ahead in mobilizing the church and evangelizing the unreached peoples, when we desire to achieve the impossible to bring people to salvation, liberation, and healing in the face of human suffering and the terrible corruption of sin, it is not uncommon to feel incompetent, incapable, and insufficient, which can easily break our resistance, diminish our resilience, and lead us to depression. Then, we must consider that the danger is not in tension, but in distension, not in pression but in depression.
The depression caused by the sense of incompetence in the face of challenges or excessive demands is a reality faced beyond the missionary field as well. Martin Seligman, with his theory of ‘learned helplessness,’ proposed that people exposed to repeated situations of failure or helplessness learn to feel incapable of changing their circumstances, developing a sense of helplessness, resignation, and passivity. Aaron Beck, one of the founders of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), explored how automatic negative thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future, as well as dysfunctional beliefs, can lead to depression. Herbert Freudenberger, in introducing the concept of burnout, highlighted how extreme exhaustion and a sense of lack of accomplishment can result in physical and mental incapacitation.
In my book ‘Elijah and Others,’ I showed the staircase of exhaustion evident at the beginning of Elijah’s story (1 Kings 17-19): Euphoria, Aversion, Isolation, and Desertion, which essentially consist of depression. But specifically addressing the feeling of incompetence as a trigger for depression, I look to another text. In Proverbs 24:10-12, we find divine instruction to overcome the feeling of incapacity, inadequacy, lack of control, and weakness. “10If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! 11Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. 12If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?” Proverbs 24:10-12 NIV.
The book of Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, composed of collections of sayings and teachings primarily attributed to King Solomon. Proverbs 24 is part of the collection that runs from chapter 22:17 to 24:34, often called ‘Sayings of the Wise.’ This section contains practical guidance for daily life and emphasizes the importance of wisdom in human conduct. The verses of Proverbs 24:10-12 form a coherent thematic unit. While verse 10 deals with resistance and resilience in adversity, verses 11 and 12 expand the theme, pointing to ethical and missional fulfillment as the healthy attitude in the face of great challenges like ‘the day of trouble.’
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” – This verse emphasizes the importance of resistance and resilience in times of crisis. The word “falter” (Heb. רָפָה, rafah) suggests the idea of fainting or giving in and encompasses many aspects of the concept of depression. The expression “in a time of trouble” (Heb. צָרָה, tsarah) refers to times of affliction and is a form of the same word for “small”, implying the idea of narrowness and making an iteresting wordplay: ‘if you are depressed in the days of narrowing, your firmness or ability will be narrow’. The term translated as “strength” (Heb. כֹּחַ, koach) carries both meanings of firmness and ability, well translating the idea of resistance, the capacity to remain unaltered under pressure, and resilience, the property of returning to the previous state after any alteration. The verse, therefore, challenges us to maintain our capacity not to be altered by the narrowing we suffer and, if we do alter, to eventually return to the previous condition. It is not a warning, however, but a statement of a fact that can be easily verified.
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this…’” – This block of text highlights what we would secularly call moral and ethical responsibility, but from a biblical perspective, we should call it ‘divine justice’ or ‘God’s will.’ By calling the reader to live according to God’s will, the text offers the solution for weakness in the face of challenges and the maintenance of resistance and resilience. Missional dedication is presented as curative, contrasting with the egocentric and individualistic outlook that is a cause of depression. When we look at ourselves in the face of challenges and ignore everything else, ‘But we knew nothing about this…’, we weaken and become depressed. If we dedicate ourselves to rescuing and helping others, we find purpose and vigor in the mission God has entrusted to us, and we strengthen ourselves. Exegetically, the terms “rescue” (Heb. נָצַל, natzal) and “hold back” (Heb. חָלַק, chalats) are used in contexts of rescue and liberation, indicating proactive and urgent action, which in Christianity refers to preaching the Gospel for salvation and liberation.
“…does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?” – In this verse, the omniscience, omnipotence, and righteous love of God are highlighted. “He who weighs the heart” (Heb. תֹּכֵן לִבּוֹת, token libbot) refers to God, who evaluates and judges human intentions with precision; He knows our possibilities and limits. “He who guards your life” (Heb. נֹצֵר נַפְשֶׁךָ, notser nafshkha) emphasizes that the strength and resources we have come from God. “Repay” (Heb. יָשִׁיב, yashiv) implies a righteous action of giving to each according to their deeds, thus certifying that if we look beyond ourselves and dedicate ourselves to fulfilling God’s will in rescuing and helping people, we will receive what is necessary for resistance and resilience in distressing situations. God, who knows us and has given us what we have, will still supply us as we dedicate ourselves to the mission instead of wallowing in self-pity. We must submit to God’s will, knowing that He observes our actions and intentions and is the provider of our strength, especially when we engage in His work, moving away from egocentrism.
The central teaching of the text is the importance of resistance and resilience in times of crisis and how they can be maintained in difficult moments. It calls us to overcome depression rooted in egocentrism, channeling our strength toward fulfilling the mission, finding healing and strength in dedication and service. It allows us to understand the problem of depression in the face of great challenges, helps us comprehend the cause, and presents the solution. The text denounces egocentrism, passivity, and lack of action in the face of challenges and needs. It criticizes the individualism that results in depression and deviation from purpose, and it condemns the excuse of indifference or deliberate ignorance, “But we knew nothing about this”, to justify egocentrism. The text promotes firmness and ability in times of great demand and strong pressure, prescribes proactive and urgent action in fulfilling the divine mission. It encourages overcoming through missional dedication, highlighting the importance of living missionally, trusting in God’s wisdom, provision, and perfect plans. We receive clear instructions to maintain resistance and resilience through dedication to the divine mission and others. It instructs us to trust in the provision of strength that comes from God, as in many other texts, to act with altruism, generosity, and purpose, knowing that God observes our actions and intentions and will supply us as we engage in His work, moving away from egocentrism and self-pity.
We live in times of great challenges and are at risk of feeling incompetent, discouraged, and prone to give up. Unfortunately, for various reasons, we can create an environment that imposes and emphasizes the feeling of incompetence and triggers depression. Therefore, the message of this text is as important now as it was in the past. It leads us to confess our tendency to depression, passivity, and indifference in the face of great difficulties and pressures that we perceive as intolerable. The text inspires us to change our attitude, being more proactive and intentionally dedicated to the divine mission. The text also leads us to a life of integrity and dedication to what God wants and what others need, reflecting the missional character of God in our daily actions.
For those who are suffering from depression due to feelings of incompetence, remember that in times of greater pressure and demand, resistance and resilience are most needed. As Proverbs 24:10 warns us, we will not have the necessary strength if we are depressed. So, we must be willing to fulfill the mission: setting aside our egocentric fear and dedicating ourselves to rescuing and helping others, announcing to them the Gospel of salvation. We should also think about contributing, in our church and ministry, to an environment where people do not feel incompetent, overwhelmed, and desolate because of unfair accusations and excessive demands. In doing so, God will certainly complete the strength we lack. Let us act, confident in the strength that God gives us and committed to making a difference, even in a time of trouble.
