Depression and Anxiety: 9 Steps to Hope and Peace

10 years ago, I was battling depression, anxiety, and what I didn’t realize at the time was ongoing traumatization. I remember trying everything I knew to do, desperate for something to work. I attended a local (Christian/church-based) support group, had conversations with mentors, our pastor, and friends who simply didn’t have the resources to help me. They tried the best they could. They responded in the ways they knew how, but it wasn’t what I needed when I was struggling and crushed by the weight of it all. Coming out in just a few days are two resources that I know would have drastically improved my life if they had existed back then! Depression and Anxiety: 9 Steps Towards Hope and Peace Growing After Trauma: 9 Steps Towards Renewed Peace I cannot express how thrilled I am that Brad Hambrick has been faithful to his work and dedicated to creating these materials for use now. Let me tell you what makes these two books unique, and how I would recommend using them. First, Brad’s unique approach to recovery materials differentiates a model for breaking cycles of sin from a model for healing from suffering. Distinct steps for these two unique problems are essential to setting people up for success and actually helping them find healing that moves into new life and identity in Christ and stewarding life to the glory of God. This helps mitigate the confusion that many in recovery ministries experience when those who are suffering are victims of trauma, abuse, or the harmful effects of others’ sin. Separating sin-based groups and suffering-based groups drastically improves the growth outcomes and healthy results of spiritual fruit. Second, the G4 material is accessible to anyone desiring to lead, host, or facilitate a group on these topics. Whether a seasoned pastor, biblical counselor, or simply a fellow struggler who wants a guide-in-a-box, these are a great place to start and invite others into a topic-based group that can facilitate progress in healing and recovery. Isn’t that what we actually want for ourselves, our community, and our churches? Other distinctions about both of these guides: An open-group model, meaning individuals can join and be at different places or “steps” in the journey. A trauma-informed perspective that is grounded in gospel truth. Tangible help from the very first step, respecting the individual’s autonomy and need to go at their own pace. No spiritual bypassing! Skip the platitudes and surface-level Christian niceties for a depth of healing. Video teaching to introduce each discussion. Insight for the whole person: spiritual, emotional, and physical support included. Assessments to help evaluate oneself An intentional and structured process, bridging directly into small group discipleship ministries (whether Sunday School, small group ministry, missional communities, etc) Helpful appendix of resources catering to the unique needs of the struggling individual. As I read through and reviewed these resources, I couldn’t help but think that this is pretty much how I would design and curate materials for a supportive study on these topics: combining the truths of Scripture and hope of the gospel with tangible practical help, and assessments that help ground individuals in reality. I can strongly recommend both of these resources, and would wholeheartedly recommend them for use in communities and churches. Pair either of these resources with Facilitating Counseling Groups: A Leader’s Guide for Group-Based Counseling Ministry for further leadership equipping.