Depression: Looking up from the Stubborn Darkness (Ed Welch)

Depression

Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness

Depression: Looking up from the Stubborn Darkness encourages us to look away from despair towards hope – but that can feel risky. What if God doesn’t come through for you? What if you don’t feel instantly better?

Instead of offering simple platitudes or unrealistic “cure-all” formulas, Edward T. Welch addresses the complex nature of depression with compassion and insight, applying the rich treasures of the gospel, and giving fresh hope to those who struggle.

Originally published as Depression: A Stubborn Darkness, this new edition is updated with added content.

Endorsements

“Although written for people suffering from depression, this book actually will help all of us in our relationship with God and other people. I personally profited a great deal from reading it.”
— Jerry Bridges, Navigators Director and author of Transforming Grace

“A rare combination of gospel understanding, biblical wisdom, personal empathy and long counseling experience shines through these pages. Here is a readable and reliable manual for all who personally experience the stubborn darkness or who want to stand by others who do.”
— Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, Professor at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA

About the Author

Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D. is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF. He earned a Ph.D. in counseling (neuropsychology) from the University of Utah and has a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for over thirty years and has written many books and articles on biblical counseling, including When People Are Big and God Is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave; Blame It on the Brain?; Running Scared; Shame Interrupted; and Side by Side: Walking with Others in Wisdom and Love. He and his wife, Sheri, have two married daughters and eight grandchildren. In his spare time, Ed enjoys spending time with his wife and extended family and playing his guitar.

Contents

1. The Path Ahead
2. How Depression Feels
3. Definitions and Causes
4. Suffering
5. God
6. Cry Out to the Lord
7. Warfare
8. Remember
9. Purpose
10. Persevere
11. Depression Has Its Reasons: Other People, Adam, and Satan
12. Depression Has Its Reasons: Culture
13. The Heart of Depression
14. The Heart Unveiled
15. Fear
16. Anger
17. Dashed Hopes
18. Failure and Shame
19. Guilt and Legalism
20. Death
21. Medical Treatments
22. For Families and Friends
23. What Has Helped
24. What to Expect
25. Humility and Hope
26. Thankfulness and Joy
27. The Final Word