Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness

This book is very readable. It seemed a little harsh at first, but It unfolds beautifully and accessibly. Very readable. I quickly came to trust what Mr. Welch had to say about depression. I can see myself buying more copies, to share.

This book seems to address the heart of depression, without minimizing the effects of depression. It addresses the heart of depression by addressing the human heart. As someone who has not experienced severe depression, this book has helped me understand (if only a little) what it could feel like to be depressed. There is a great chapter on what depression feels like. In addition, this book directs the Christian towards the God who gives hope in the midst of and beyond depression. Ed Welch helps show how to respond to depression, fight for joy and faith, use the Psalms as a model for crying out to God, and shows how God is with us and cares for us enough to send Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Highly recommended for those who experience depression and those who want to help others who experience depression.

Our daughter went through a sever depression a couple years ago. I found this book tremendously valuable as a guide. With lots of prayer, genuion encouragement and time for our daughter to process her fealings with us, time with close friends, and gently spoon feeding her with time looking at the life of Jesus, with and God's grace, within just a few months our daughter took an about turn for the better. It was very helpful that she trusted us and had a teachable heart. We were expecting that it may take a couple years. We realize it could have been much different. We have hightly recommended this book to several of our friends and have an extra copy on hand in case we run into someone who could really use some help.

This is one of the best books on dealing with depression written from a Christian, Bible-believing, point of view. It is very helpful.

this was a great book for a friend. thank you

Many Amazon reviews fall into what I call the "Ravy Train." That is, the first reviewer raves about the book and everyone else follows. In the past I have purchased books with all rave reviews and have been disappointed. I was honestly shocked at how practical and worthwhile Edward T. Welch's Depression: A Stubborn Darkness is. If you are a Christian and have suffered from depression, this is the book you've been searching for all your life. You will find yourself somewhere in Welch's comprehensive study. He thoroughly covers the causes of depression, some of which will surprise you. His coverage of self-inflicted damage may hurt, but it is vital for clear thinking. Sometimes the truth does hurt, but running from it is never a solution. Welch's spiritual guidance is rock-solid. These are answers that make sense, yet we know we must trust in Christ when we're unable to wring any sense out of the situation. If I have any criticism of the book at all, it's that Welch is lukewarm on the use of medication. He acknowledges that it can help but warns against using it as a crutch. In many cases, depressed people have had their lives turned around by the proper medication. But he's right. Ultimately our healing comes from Jesus Christ. Time and distance place no restrictions on God's healing power. I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Read it, highlight it, then read it again. You'll be so glad you did.

Balanced. Biblical. Thorough. Those left unimpressed with the "repent and get over it" method of counseling will find comfort here. Welch skillfully weaves Scripture, science, and experience to get at the root causes of depression and offers wise guidance for looking up from the stubborn darkness. A valuable resource for those struggling with depression and for those in the struggle with someone depressed.

AAA

I suffer from depression and have tried medication and therapy and neither has helped. Honestly......therapy is like throwing your money in the fire, as there are so many healthier resources, productive resources than paying a bundle to sit accross from someone who thinks they are God and says very little to actually help you solve the problems and feel better. I am a Christian and so when I discovered this book on Amazon, knew the author was good, I snagged it. I look forward to reading this book. He backs up everything with biblical scripture and quotes it right there in the sentence so you are confidant that God, my father is saying these things. In my opinion, he's the TOP, advice about how to live your life, be happy, feel loved and special and how to conquer and overcome obstacles is all coming from the God I love and respect. If you are depressed or suffering from any emotional issues, then I highly rec you buying this book. I am only a 1/3 of the way through and I feel so much better.

There are some very good reviews on this book that adequately outline much of the content. What I want to add to this book is with regard to its practical features and my personal experience with it. If you are looking at this book, you either know Ed Welch through CCEF and are likely going to buy it, or you are surfing through a sea of books on this topic. Obviously this is my opinion, but in a sea of books on similar topics, this is one you should buy to help with Depression.Here's why: First: Ed Welch presents a very honest approach to depression, which is basically that it is a complex issue. This is not a book that says the root of all depression is your own sin so repent. This is not a book that says the root of all your depression is simply suffering to endure. This not a book that denies any phyiosological and biological contributions. It is a humble approach at saying that some or all may play a role, so now what do we do as believers. Second: The style of the book is written to those who suffer with depression. The chapters are short. It is not the type of book you may read from cover to cover. After all, one of the symptoms of depression is difficulty with motivation. I am a Christian and practice as a licensed professional doing counseling. I utilize this book to help people put words to what they are experiencing. I don't assign to read the entire thing, but depeding on where they are at, I ask them to read certain parts and then respond. It has not failed to stir some very relevant and useful responses in people. That's certainly worth the price, and quite frankly it's a book I have found people to actually read. Again, I appreciate his honest yet informed approach. In conclusion, you will not waste your money on this book, but don't feel bad if you don't read it cover to cover. My opinion is that it should be about half the size for practical reasons, but then again I'm not sure what I would ask him to take out. After a few books by Ed Welch, I'm a big fan.

Insightful and meaningful. Helps you to understand the realities behind someone's struggle. Great for anyone who wants to learn or help others.

This isn't simply a book on depression. There is more to it, on a bigger perspective of life and it's balances. A great help to listen to wisdom and consider its impact on ourselves and others.

This book by Edward Welch is one of the few books on depression that has actually helped me battle depression. I highly recommend it.

Dr. Ed Welch has taken some "hits" even from within his own "camp" for this thoroughly balanced and biblical approach to understanding, facing, and dealing with depression. Welch is neither "gaga" over medical diagnoses nor "knee-jerk" reacting against the possibility of medical causes for some depression. In this, he follows in the train of the Church Fathers, the Reformers, and the Puritans who all recognized and even suggested the possibility of physical/medical causes for depression. Welch writes with a rare combination of compassion and challenge, buttressed by his spiritual theology of suffering--a sufferology. This is perhaps the greatest contribution of the book. Readers looking for a thought-provoking approach to depression that addresses spiritual, relational, rational, volitional, emotional, and physical issues, will not be disappointed by "Depression: A Stubborn Darkness--Light for the Path." Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," "Biblical Psychology," "Martin Luther's Pastoral Counseling," and "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."

The first few chapters are worth the price of the entire book. If you've ever felt the darkness of depression, suspect you might, or know someone who has then this book will be incredibly helpful in understanding it.

I have not finished reading this yet, however, what I have read is clear, concise and beneficial. I am reading this for further insight into a loved one's pain and suffering and it certainly has helped me gain further understanding. Edward Welch does not mince his words or water them down with platitudes, but gets down to the root of things, with the understanding that everyone has different things they are dealing with, but learning to turn to the Lord and recognize He is deliverer is key to our healing. Working through depression is a process that takes time, but there is always hope and this book makes that message clear.

"When you are depressed, how can you take a step, let alone a journey? When all vital energy is devoted to staying alive and just making it to the next hour, how can you add anything else - like hope - to your day?" So begins this wise and compassionate book by Ed Welch. Whether you are a someone who struggles with depression yourself, or someone who desires to help those who do, Depression: A Stubborn Darkness will prove an informed and biblically-faithful resource. The book is divided into an introduction and four parts. Introduction. The first three chapters are introductory and begin with an empathetic note, describing "How Depression Feels" (chapter two) with a number of actual statements from those who have experienced depression. This chapter will help give understanding to someone who has never personally battled with severe depression. "Definitions and Causes" are described in chapter three, which differentiates between "situational depression" (less severe) and "clinical depression" (more severe), along with lists of possible symptoms for each. Part One: Depression is Suffering. The seven chapters making up part one are Godward and hopeful, reminding us that depression is a form of suffering out which we can cry out to God for comfort and purpose. Welch doesn't try to make depression look less painful than it is. He faces it head-on. But neither does he let the lying voices of depression claim the day. Instead, he points the reader to God and Scripture (especially the Psalms), with gentle and hopeful reminders of God's love and sovereignty. Part Two: Listen to Depression. Part two is especially helpful as the various contributing causes of depression are explored. These include other people, "Adam," Satan (chapter eleven), and culture (chapter twelve). Chapter thirteen gets to "The Heart of Depression" showing that depression is a result not simply of the "outside events" that "come at us," but also our "internal believes and interpretations . . . that come out of us" (p. 123). To deal with depression we must learn to address the "spiritual allegiances" of our hearts" which give rise to imaginations, desires, motives, thoughts, feelings, and actions. "The curious path to true life" says Welch, "is to grow in both the knowledge of God's love and your own sin" (p. 131). Chapter fourteen continues with "The Heart Unveiled," with following chapters exploring other causes of and collaborators with depression such as fear, anger, dashed hopes, failure and shame, guilt and legalism, and death. With each of these, the author walks the reader through the fog of confused feelings onto the sure-footed path of biblical truth about sin and grace. Part Three: Other Help and Advice. In part three, Welch discusses medical treatments (chapter twenty-one) and gives helpful advice for the families and friends of those who are suffering from depression (chapter twenty-two). "To help a depressed person, you don't need expert knowledge. You do need an awareness of your own spiritual neediness, a growing knowledge of Jesus, and an eagerness to learn from others, including the person you would like to help" (p. 224). A particularly great chapter follows called "What Has Helped." It contains helpful insights from counselees about what first helped them begin to change, along with some specific strategies to try. The goal of the chapter is not to give an endless to-do list, but rather to "prime the pump" by giving ideas and strategies that have actually been helpful for depressed people. Chapter twenty-four is another honest, yet hopeful, look at "What to Expect" as one continues to battle against depression. Part Four: Hope and Joy: Thinking God's Thoughts. The book finishes with two chapters on Humility and Hope (chapter twenty-five) and Thankfulness and Joy (chapter twenty-six). Potential readers should not feel daunted by the twenty-six chapters; each chapter is short and Ed Welch is an engaging writer with an easy prose. It is obvious that Welch has done his research, but the book isn't cluttered by clinical language. More than anything, reading this book feels like getting good advice from an kind and caring friend. As a pastor who sometimes struggles with discouragement and sometimes counsels those with more severe forms of depression, I found this a grace-filled book, loaded with hope and wisdom. I highly recommend it.

If you are depressed and christian, going through this book with a counselor can help a lot. It did for me.

this is the very best book I have read on depression. I will refer to it again and again

I can't express how thankful I am that this book exists. It's easily one of the best books I've ever read on this topic. The author doesn't once give cheap or easy platitudes in order to comfort you. He shows you how real God is in this struggle and makes you excited that you have such an Avenue (depression) in order to know God intimately!

Presents hope and help for depression. Notes many causes and encourages us to look for clues to our cause and then helps us deal with each cause. Treats depression as pain and suffering and shows how the Bible teaches that suffering has a purpose and so does your depression.

Edward Welch is a gifted author and caring person. I've read his book on Anxiety and now this one on Depression. Note- if you or someone you know suffers from depression, you don't want to be reading this book in public. It will pull at your heart on every page and leave you sobbing (in a good way most of the time)!

I had this sitting in my Kindle for months before I finally decided to read it, partly because I just wasn't sure if I really wanted to read yet another book on depression. So glad I started reading it. It is by far one of the best and most practical books I have read on depression. There has already been a lot said about the book so I will only add that if you are struggling with depression or know someone who is this is a must read.

I'm encouraged after reading this book. After the death of my 26 year old son in 2013, discouragement has been unwanted visitor. I'm grateful for men wise in the scriptures to remind me of His sufficiency and love for me.

Great book on depression from the Biblical Counseling perspective. It's open to secular methods and diagnoses but is strongly biblical. It's a breath of fresh air from the biblical counseling camp.