Is It Unspiritual to Be Depressed?Paul RitchieWritten with grace, wisdom, and from personal experience, this book will carefully and gently help readers navigate some difficult pastoral issues relating to mental health. This is one of the best books on this subject and beneficial to any pastor, counsellor, or sufferer alike. Look out for our interview with Paul Ritchie which is coming soon!
Depression: Finding Christ in the DarknessEdward T.Ed Welch's 'Depression: Finding Christ in the Darkness' has its origin in the struggles of his father and his aunt, who both struggled with depression. He writes with tremendous insight and compassion (as a non-sufferer), but saw through living in close contact with family, that it can be persistent and relentless, and can't be dismissed by merely thinking the right thoughts. In this book he provides a 31-day devotional to help those who are suffering to reflect on our Saviour who we can still find and love in the darkness.
Thy Deepest DistressAaron L. GarriottThis book considers the difficult subject of anxiety and depression in the Christian life, which are “not merely theoretical struggles; they are lived realities that affect the mind, body, and soul”. Written from the perspective of a pastor who has had his own personal struggles with anxiety and depression, and who offers regular pastoral counsel, Garriott sets out to provide readers with the “tools to live faithfully through debilitating anxiety”. In six chapters he explores: - the nature of anxiety and depression; - examples to follow from famous Christians of the past; - how God uses these things for our good; - motivation to press on in faith; - how to find help through deeper communion with Christ; - how to find comfort from having an eternal perspective. The book concludes with two short sections on practices and prayers, which are full of wisdom from the Bible, to help sufferers put some helpful rhythms into their daily routines. One notable voice says this is “the best book I have read on the subject”! I agree! ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
When Darkness Seems My Closest FriendMark MeynellIn 'When Darkness Seems My Closest Friend', Mark Meynell looks at the subject of depression with a fresh, warm, and honest perspective as one who suffers in this area. He doesn't offer any glib or easy answers, but helps the reader toward greater understanding of the condition, and the practical and spiritual habits, patterns, and resources that will help sufferers in their struggles. This is an excellent book for any pastors or Christians who are experiencing depression and in need of some help.
Spurgeon's SorrowsZack Eswine'Spurgeon's Sorrows' is one of my favourite books on depression. Zach Eswine, well acquainted with depression himself, explores this difficult subject through the experience of the Prince of Preachers, C H Spurgeon, who battled with depression throughout his public ministry. This is an immensely helpful and practical book, helping us understand how Spurgeon overcame his depression, and how God can help us do likewise. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hope in an Anxious WorldHelen Thorne–AllensonIn 'Hope in an Anxious World', Helen Thorne compassionately looks at the subject of Anxiety, showing the reader that there is hope for change and for a future free from crippling anxiety. She asks the reader to think about how to take small steps toward recovery and shows where people can turn when anxiety feels like a heavy burden. This is helpful for anyone struggling with anxiety.
A Small Book for the Anxious Heart: Meditations on Fear, Worry, and TrustEdward T. WelchIn 'A Small Book for the Anxious Heart: Meditations on Fear, Worry, and Trust', Edward Welch gives those suffering from anxiety that will help sufferers know God's presence in those difficult times of struggle. This is an insightful book written with compassion and understanding and the reader will find it warm, comforting, and pointing to Jesus!
A New Name – Grace and healing for anorexiaEmma ScrivenerEmma Scrivener was just a normal girl from east Belfast growing up during the ‘troubles’. A prodigious reader, Emma excelled at school and, in particular, demonstrated a flair for creative writing. She was an able and dedicated student who earned a place at Oxford University before finally graduating with a degree in English Literature. But this is only half the story. She describes her homeland as ‘battered but unbowed, terrible and beautiful’, perhaps echoing W.B. Yeats’s famous poem, Easter 1916. There is no denying the beauty of the Ulster landscape or the terrible events of our recent past, and anyone living through this period will identify with Emma’s experience of life in a divided society. This experience, along with the death of her grandfather, unhappiness at not fitting in at school, uncertainty about her body and confusion about boys all contributed to her unhappiness and her inexorable drift into the condition known as anorexia. Emma tells the story of her struggle with anorexia with refreshing honesty and humour, but she never seems flippant about her illness and its effect on her or her family and friends. You will laugh with her, and you will weep for the tragedy of her condition and the apparent waste of her talent, but you will marvel at Emma’s Saviour who has performed such a work of grace in transforming Emma’s body and soul. One question I would like to ask the author is whether the experience she had as she read Revelation 5 was conversion or assurance of salvation, but, either way, it is clear that Emma has been liberated from her condition and from the bondage of sin. In writing this book Emma has done a great service to anyone with an interest in anorexia, either through personal experience or those seeking to offer counselling to sufferers. It brings a message of hope to the sufferer, that God brings people through this illness to fullness of life in Christ, and a message of hope to the rest of us, that we may be able to understand something of their struggle and in turn be better equipped to help.
Mental Health and Your ChurchSteve Midgley, Helen Thorne–Allenson'Mental Health and Your Church', Steve Midgley & Helen Thorne–Allenson is a call to all pastors, church leaders, and church members to ensure that the church they're in welcomes and enables those suffering from mental health issues to feel accepted and to be encouraged and enabled to flourish. In order to help us do this, the authors pack in a lot of practical wisdom which makes this book essential reading for the Church.
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