Faith & Family Business
A “Darkness Visible” in the Family Business (1 Samuel 18:10-11)
Welcome to my third Faith and Family Business series, focusing on the Biblical King David. David’s story explores a full range of emotions and experiences in life, offering insights about ourselves and others in work and family. My hope is that your own faith, family, and understanding of your family business will be enriched by considering David's story.
Last week’s reflection focused on King Saul’s jealousy and anger toward David because of how the people acknowledged David’s success against Goliath. But now we see a deeper level of disturbance emerge in Saul as he interacts with David:
The next day a harmful spirit from God rushed upon Saul, and he raved within his house while David was playing the lyre, as he did day by day. Saul had his spear in his hand. And Saul hurled the spear, for he thought, “I will pin David to the wall.” But David evaded him twice. (1 Sam. 18:10-11)
From jealousy to…unprovoked spear throwing? Twice? Saul is clearly tormented. There is something much deeper going on. Today we would recognize this “harmful spirit” as a form of mental illness, and we know from earlier passages that Saul has previously suffered serious mental anguish.
One in five Americans suffer from mental illness, so someone you know — likely a family or team member in your organization — endures a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder. Sometimes the disability is diagnosed, but more often it stays undiscussed. You may witness visible signs of depression or stress, like Saul’s irrational response. Or you may never know someone’s deep feelings of despair and hopelessness. Either way, mental illness is there, touching us and those we love. As William Styron suggested in Darkness Visible, his memoir about depression, mental illness is “quite unimaginable to those who have not suffered it.”
Do you, or does someone in your family business, suffer from anxiety, depression, or significant mood and behavior changes? If you haven't yet talked about mental health challenges in your family business, how might you initiate the discussion?
Resources: How to talk about mental health & how to help someone you are concerned about.