Product Description
Depression: A Stubborn Darkness is Dr. Edward T. Welch's latest release in a series of ground-breaking best-selling counseling books that include When People Are Big and God is Small, Blame It on the Brain?, Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave. Now in its third printing, Welch continues to further his reputation as an author who can speak to general consumers in a language they intuitively connect with on a deeply personal level. Endorsed by Joni Eareckson Tada, and Bob Lepine of FamilyLife, this book is targeted to the 18 million adult Americans who struggle with depression. Compassionate and compelling, the book lays out issues and answers with Welch's world view that faith needs to be interlaced with therapies and medication for conditions categorized as strictly clinical. The author weaves in questions scattered throughout the book to help the reader interact with the content and also offers suggestions for those who have loved ones struggling with depression.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 10 reviews)

Shocked at how great this book is... by Jack Zavada (Streator, IL)

5 Stars
September 04, 2009
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.

perfect companion to someone suffering depression by G. Phillips (NorthEast Ohio)

5 Stars
December 04, 2008
If you suffer from depression, or love someone who does, this book goes a long way in showing the biblical applications to recovery. No where does it lay blame to depression on sin, but instead it does not matter why. The book tells how depression is pain and suffering. That God does not promise us happiness, but to help us and see us through. Not discounting the need or use for medication, it relates to the fact that accurate biblical understanding can go a long way to helping one through this book. A must read for pastor's and lay ministers.

Good Book by Dwellin (Lincoln, NE)

5 Stars
August 20, 2008
I have started reading books on depression, only to get bogged down soon after. From the beginning, this one knew what it was talking about. Short chapters, enough information to think over, and doesn't make a person feel guilty for having been depressed in the past.

Very good by Brian G Hedges (South Bend, Indiana)

4 Stars
June 29, 2007
"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.

Excellent resource for small group use by F. Parris (Pennsylvania, USA)

5 Stars
March 11, 2007
Insightful. Short chapters make it ideal for small group/support group use. Catalyst for discussion.

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

	Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave : Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel (Resources for Changing Lives) by Edward T. Welch (Author) A worship disorder: this is how Edward T. Welch views addictions. "Will we worship our own desires or will we worship the true God?" With this lens the author discovers far more in Scripture on addictions than passages on drunkenness. There we learn the addict's true condition: like guests at a banquet thrown by "the woman Folly," he is already in the grave (Proverbs 9:13-18). Can we not escape our addictions? If we're willing to follow Jesus, the author says that we have "immense hope: hope...
	Running Scared: Fear, Worry & the God of Rest by Edward T. Welch (Author), Susan Lutz (Editor) In his new release, Running Scared, Edward T. Welch investigates the roots of fear in the human soul and the ramifications of living in the grips of anxiety, worry, and dread. Welch encourages readers to discover for themselves that the Bible is full of beautiful words of comfort for fearful people (and that every single person is afraid of something). Within the framework of thirty topical meditations, Welch offers sound biblical theology and moment-by-moment, thoughtful encouragement for...
	Blame It on the Brain?: Distinguishing Chemical Imbalances, Brain Disorders, and Disobedience (Resources for Changing Lives) by Edward T. Welch (Author) Depression, Attention Deficit Disorder, Alcoholism, Homosexuality. Research suggests that more and more behaviors are caused by brain function or dysfunction. But is it ever legitimate to blame misbehavior on the brain? How can I know whether ?My brain made me do it?? Viewing brain problems through the lens of Scripture, Edward T. Welch distinguishes genuine brain disorders from problems rooted in the heart. Understanding that distinction will enable pastors, counselors, families, and friends...
	When People Are Big and God Is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man (Resources for Changing Lives) by Edward T. Welch (Author) "In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" So sings the Psalmist. But quote that to a crime victim or a junior high student and they'll tell you fear of "mort
	Depression: The Way Up When You Are Down (Resources for Changing Lives) by Edward T. Welch (Author) Lost ambition. Emotional numbness. Fear and withdrawal. Fatigue. Marks of what is commonly called depression. If you are one of the many people suffering from depression, there is hope and there is help-a way up when you are down. Even if you don?t feel like doing anything, this booklet provides manageable steps for getting started on the path that leads out of depression. Edward T. Welch helps us understand the spiritual issues involved, whether one's depression is caused by physical problems...