“Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness”
The book Depression – Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness, written by licensed psychologist, faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation, (CCEF), and author Dr. Edward T. Welch, Ph.D. is a most helpful guide to better understanding depression and possible options for the treatment of depression. On the back cover of the book the question is posed, “Where Is God in the Struggle” in regards to depression. And being an individual who lives with 2 brain tumors and experiences unpredictable mood swings, (a Bi-Polar type condition) I can tell you that I personally am no stranger to the condition. But I can also testify that God is indeed in the midst of our struggle with depression if we know him as our God and have a relationship with him through faith in his son Jesus Christ.
Dr. Welch has divided his book into 4 different parts with an Introduction at the beginning of the book and an invaluable Scripture Index at the end of the book. The 4 parts of his book are as follows: Depression is Suffering, Listening to Depression, Other Help and Advice, and finally Hope and Joy: Thinking God’s Thoughts. In each part of the book there are then Chapters that provides information regarding the topic that the particular part is about. For example, in the Introduction section of his book there are three chapters: The Path Ahead, How Depression Feels, and Definitions and Causes. This information is vitally important to understanding Depression as well as sets the stage for what Dr. Welch is going to write about in the rest of his book.
In Part 2 there are seven chapters that address the issue of Depression as suffering and offers spiritual insights as to the condition of depression and how believers should respond to it. In Part three Dr. Welch writes in Chapter 12 about the fact that “Depression Has Its Reasons: Culture, and then addresses some of the correlative matters and feelings that accompany Depression such as the “Heart of Depression” and the “Heart Unveiled” as well as the emotions of Fear, Anger, Shame, Guilt, and in Chapter 20 Death and how they all relate to Depression.
It is in part 3 of his book that Dr. Welch offers objective and beneficial “Help and Advice” concerning possible medical treatments for Depression, Advice for Families and Friends; writing in Chapter 23 What Has Helped and finally in Chapter 24 What To Expect.
Finally, in Part 4 and in Chapters 25 and 26 author Welch offers much needed encouragement that there indeed is a reason to hope in the midst of dealing with Depression and about the matter of hope specifically and how that through having humility and by expressing thankfulness and choosing an attitude of joy, even when we don’t feel like it, we can experience a greater degree of freedom and victory over depression. And I can personally testify it is true. When I recognized that Depression is suffering and I became thankful to God for who he is and for all he has done for me and in my life and chose to express joy – even when I did not feel like it, I was able and have been able to live a much more Christ-Centered and joy filled life. I still receive medical treatment and take medications for my condition; however, they are just one aspect of my approach to dealing with my condition of Depression. I give the glory to God and praise him for the experience of joy and for the life that I now enjoy more fully in him because I have learned what Dr. Welch writes in his book and have applied it to my own life personally.
Depression, Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness is a very practical and easy to read and understand book for people suffering with Depression. In the book there are a good number of Scripture references to help us learn God’s perspective on life, suffering, Depression, humility, thankfulness and joy. Also there are a number of personal stories from people who have struggled with Depression and we can learn from their experiences as to what to do and what not to do in our quest to find healing over Depression.
If you or someone you love or know is battling Depression and are looking for Biblically sound, sensible, and practical answers and advice as to how to deal with the condition of Depression then this book is for you or them. And I need to caution you that this book offers no quick fix or 5 easy steps to healing over Depression as no such fix and no such steps to healing exist that I know of anyway, and anyone who writes or states otherwise, is in grave error, at least in my humble opinion. However, for someone who is willing to read the book prayerfully with an open heart and open Bible, and is prepared to take one step at a time by God’s grace, strength and help in dealing with the issue of Depression in their life, this book next to the Word of God, provides the greatest degree of insight, wisdom and help that I have found in any books written about the condition of Depression.
For more information about the book Depression by Edward T. Welch visit the New Growth Press website. New Growth Press Website.
To order a copy of the book Depression by Edward T. Welch click on the link Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness
I received a complimentary copy of the book Depression by Edward T. Welch from New Growth Press for reviewing it.
If you are struggling with Depression or Mental Illness or need a friend to listen, care, pray and respond to you my email address is haroldcameron56@gmail.com. please allow me a day or two to respond due to the volume of emails I receive.
