Books Addressing Mental Health
Si Walker, 3rd April 2021
Following our first talk on The Christian's Mental Health, here are a few select resources relating to anxiety and depression.
When the Darkness Will Not Lift by John Piper
This my top read for those struggling with depression, or wanting to get a better idea of how to help others. It is a short book and could be read in one sitting. The gospel drips off every page and for someone struggling to find hope, this book could be very refreshing.
Battles Christians Face: Tackling Big Issues with Confidence by Vaughan Roberts
The chapter in 'Battles Christians Face' on depression is worth buying the book. It is just 16 pages. Vaughan gives a fantastic brief introduction with a handful of helpful but not trite tips that are rooted in the Word. For the person asking, 'does the Bible have anything to say on this?' this might be the place to start.
Victory Over the Darkness: Realising the Power of Your Identity in Christ by Neil T. Anderson
This book is excellent for addressing the root causes of emotional problems and deals with how to let the truth captivate you, as opposed to the devil's lies. It is a very practical book, which will unpack some of the things a good Christian counsellor would want to go through. The one word of caution, is that Anderson has written books which take (for simplicity of explanation) a very pentecostal approach to the devil and demons. This book is not one of those, however, and I believe it could be highly beneficial.
I'm Not Supposed to Feel Like This: A Christian Approach to Coping with Depression and Anxiety by Williams, Richards and Whitton.
This is something of a workbook, with places to take notes and answer questions. It could be a helpful way to help identify what is triggering anxious feelings as it gives you various ways of processing what is happening in your thinking and experiences.
Do get in touch if you would like any further recommendations.