Depression strikes all different people, in different stages and circumstances.
Whatever your situation may be, whether you yourself are struggling with depression or know someone who is, this list of books is a great place to start. Each one will help you develop a greater understanding of what you are dealing with, God’s role to play, and how you can find healing.
1. Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson
In Hope Prevails, board-certified neuropsychologist Dr. Michelle Begtson shares her journey toward developing an effective treatment for depression after her former treatments failed to help in her own struggle against depression.
The book blends her faith with her professional training to create a well-rounded approach that will help you understand depression, its spiritual effects, and how God’s grace impacts your situation.
You will find more than symptom management in this book. The purpose is to bring you new hope for healing.
To purchase this book click here.
2. What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do: Discouragement and Depression by Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend
This book is another great starting point for you if you or someone you love is dealing with discouragement and depression. It is a quick read and will help you take the first steps towards healing, and allow you to help others do the same.
To purchase this book click here.
3. Five Keys to Dealing with Depression by Gregory Jantz
Depression is pervasive and affects each and every part of your life. According to Gregory Jantz, the solution needs to be just as pervasive. In his book, he describes the five key areas that are affected by depression including emotions, intellect, relationships, physicality, and spirituality.
This book will equip you with God’s truth and a wholistic approach to treating depression in each of these areas.
To purchase this book click here.
4. Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies by Dr. Alison Cook
When struggling with depression it can be easy to let your emotions become the ruling authority in your life, and in Boundaries for Your Soul, Dr. Alison Cook walks through the process of taking control of your emotions, instead of letting them control you.
This book covers topics such as how to handle feeling overwhelmed, understanding guilt, anxiety, sadness, and fear, transitioning from doubt to confidence, from conflict to peace, and inviting God into your situation.
To purchase this book click here.
5. Overcoming Depression by Neil Anderson (Victory Over the Darkness Series)
Everything in life requires balance, and Neil Anderson’s Overcoming Depression is an excellent resource to help understand the balance between spiritual and physical symptoms of depression.
This book will help you develop a better understanding of what you are going through and direct you towards comprehensive treatment.
To purchase this book click here.
6. Hope in the Dark: Believing God Is Good When Life Is Not by Craig Groeschel
Everyone experiences suffering at one time or another, and Pastor Craig Groeschel has brought us a book on how to maintain faith in those difficult seasons. Suffering is a part of life, and learning how to deal with it is a vital skill.
Through personal experience and the story of Habakkuk, Groeschel has created a quick but thorough book to help you on your journey through that suffering as you learn to trust the goodness of God in every situation.
To purchase this book click here.
7. No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending by Esther Fleece
I know that I am not the only one who has worked hard to maintain the appearance of having everything figured out. This mask can cover up a ton of hurt, pain, and suffering until it is all stuffed away where no one can see it but us.
In No More Faking Fine, Esther Fleece describes a real-world way to deal with emotion and pain. Instead of stuffing away the pain, she will walk you through the process of experiencing lament, and releasing all that has been pent up over the years into the hands of God.
To purchase this book click here.
8. The Hardest Peace: Expecting Grace in the Midst of Life’s Hard by Kara Tippetts
In a world turned upside down by stage four cancer, mother of four, Kara Tippetts, shares her story of hardship and pain as an encouragement to you in your situation.
In her book, The Hardest Peace, she will encourage you to leave your fear and need for control behind to pursue peace and grace, as you work through life’s many obstacles.
To purchase this book click here.
9. I’m Not Supposed to Feel Like This: A Christian Approach to Coping with Depression and Anxiety by Chris Williams
In this workbook, the author Chris Williams will walk you through Christian cognitive behavioral therapy. Using biblical examples, you will understand the way you feel and how to draw on God’s grace to move through it.
To purchase this book click here.
10. Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zach Eswine
In this book, author Zach Eswine delves deep into the life and messages of Charles Spurgeon and brings forth the wisdom that Spurgeon left behind for dealing with depression.
This book is a comfort to all who read it through writing that shows you your pain, and understands how you feel.
To purchase this book click here.
11. Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness by Edward Welch
When you are drowning in depression, sometimes finding a way out seems risky. You don’t want to be disappointed again. In this book, author Edward Welch acknowledges this fear and instead works through depression’s complex nature, administering insight, compassion, and the hope that comes from God.
This book is designed to help you understand the nature of what you are going through and provide practical solutions to find healing.
To purchase this book click here.
12. Changes that Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You by Dr. Henry Cloud
In Changes that Heal, Dr. Henry Cloud walks through some of the primary ways that we can develop ourselves and work through painful areas in our lives.
By learning how to bond with others, separate from others in a healthy way, manage the difference between right and wrong, and grow in emotional and spiritual maturity, we can begin to regain control over painful areas in our lives.
When we invite God into that journey and allow him to help us with our pain, we can become mature, joyful followers of Christ.
To purchase this book click here.
13. Victory Over the Darkness: Realize The Power Of Your Identity In Christ by Neil Anderson
Identity is powerful. If you entrust it to the wrong thing, it can be very damaging in your life. Victory Over the Darkness helps you walk through the journey of shedding old identities and labels and learn to identify yourself in Christ alone.
This allows you to stand against all attacks of the enemy, including labels of depression.
To purchase this book click here.
14. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp
While this book is not directly about depression, it made this list because of its encouraging attitude about life. In One Thousand Gifts, author Ann Voskamp details her journey to finding joy regardless of circumstances.
Her book teaches us how to see all of the blessings that God has given us, even in the ordinary, leverage them to find joy in every part of life, and dares us to find one thousand gifts.
To purchase this book click here.
15. The Bible
Books are a great resource, they can give you specific and practical advice and help you begin your journey towards healing. However, at the end of the day, it is more important to be in a close relationship with the Healer.
So no matter what, continue to grow closer to God in this time, as hard as it seems. Stay grounded in him, read the Word, spend time in prayer, and have faith.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by your depression and feel hopeless you can reach out for immediate help by texting CONNECT to 741741. You will be connected with a counselor to help support you.
If you are having suicidal thoughts please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). You can call anytime and receive free and confidential support.