Page 107 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 24

Samantha Griffi�s, MA, LMFT; is an ar�st, illustrator, and therapist whose
Chris�an (Anglican) faith drives her to contribute truth, beauty, and good-
ness to the world. Samantha spends her �me walking with people experi-
encing the distress of anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, speciali-
zing in the treatment of scrupulosity. Happiest at the intersec�on of theo-
logy, psychology, and the visual arts, her seminary studies of theology and
Chris�an psychology were the early seeds of her current ar�s�c work. She
is the illustrator of Light Shining Out of Darkness, by 18th century Anglican
poet William Cowper.

www.samanthagriffi�s.com
www.samanthagriffi�sart.com

"William Cowper: Suffering, Crea�vity, and Chris�an Psychology"

God moves in a mysterious way, William Cowper was an 18th century Bri�sh
His wonders to perform; poet most commonly known today as the aut-
He plants his footsteps in the sea, hor of “Light Shining Out of Darkness,” the
And rides upon the storm. poem that would become the hymn “God Mo-
ves In A Mysterious Way.” The poem is a testa-
Deep in unfathomable mines ment to God’s presence and faithfulness in the
Of never-failing skill, midst of Cowper’s own struggle with depressi-
He treasures up his bright designs, on and anxiety. He lost his mother at a very
And works his sov'reign will. young age, and dealt with periods of profound
sadness and fear that lasted well into his adult
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, life. The 18th century was not a friendly �me
The clouds ye so much dread to struggle with such things. Suffering gave
Are big with mercy, and shall break birth to more suffering as people crumbled un-
In blessings on your head. der the weight of ins�tu�onaliza�on and the
unrelen�ng label of “madness.” But William
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, Cowper did not succumb to madness. And de-
But trust him for his grace; spite his own experience with ins�tu�onaliza�-
Behind a frowning providence on, he le� us an inheritance of beauty from
He hides a smiling face. these struggles in the form of his poetry, in no
small part thanks to his enduring friendship
His purposes will ripen fast, with John Newton (the writer of “Amazing
Unfolding ev'ry hour; Grace”).
The bud may have a bi�er taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r. Although much has changed since Cowper's
life�me, his story is not altogether unlike the
Blind unbelief is sure to err, stories of modern Chris�ans who struggle with
And scan his work in vain; depression and anxiety. While our modern un-
God is his own interpreter, derstanding of the e�ology and treatment of
And he will make it plain. depression and anxiety surpasses that of the
18th century, there is s�ll much to learn from
(Light Shining Out of Darkness, by William looking into the past. Studying the lives of tho-
Cowper)

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