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adam_z's review
5.0
A most encouraging read. This is useful both for the person suffering from depression as well as those who would seek to counsel and minister to the afflicted. There is no shortage of scripture citations, along with an insane number of quotes from Charles Spurgeon, who was no stranger to depression. The quotes are cited excellently as well, and there's a bibliography at the end of each chapter, so it's easy to follow up and go to the source material. Also of note - though the direct quotations from Spurgeon are obviously 19th-century english, overall the book is written in a very conversational tone and it is not at all difficult to read. Highly recommended.
mollyemmakatewildsmith's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
I wish I’d read this in the depths of my depression! A must-read for those suffering and aiding those with depression!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Addiction
lydiawallis's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
littleroseygirl's review
5.0
"The sun may not rise for a few hours yet. But here amid the waiting hours, the sorrowing have a Savior."
sarahbowling6608's review
3.0
I think there’s a lot of good in this book but it’s written in such a way as to be very difficult to digest. It resonated with me deeply several times and I think the author knows what he’s talking about but either doesn’t know how to express himself very well on paper or the book was rushed to print without use of editors. This is a shame because this could be an excellent book.
windsrising's review
4.0
“I am certain that I have seen more in the dark than ever I saw in the light, —more stars, certainly . . . That heavy hammer falling on us helps to shape us; therefore let affliction and trouble and trial come” (Spurgeon).
a reassuring read; a great book to give to loved ones who have a hard time understanding depression and you're too tired to keep explaining it. however, if you yourself are depressed, it's not gonna tell you too much you don't already know--save for a few excellent lines.
a reassuring read; a great book to give to loved ones who have a hard time understanding depression and you're too tired to keep explaining it. however, if you yourself are depressed, it's not gonna tell you too much you don't already know--save for a few excellent lines.
kristenshep's review
4.0
This book makes Spurgeon’s teachings on depression very accessible. It’s well organized and easy to read with summaries of lessons learned at the end of each chapter. Personally, I’m encouraged to know that God used a man who was afflicted by depression in mighty ways. I’m also challenged not to judge other people by their productivity, but to be more patient with people who need to take life at a slower pace and to recognize that productivity isn’t even the point of life. We should all live to know God, and a deeper relationship with God usually results from various trials including depression. I also appreciated chapter 6, “A Language for our Sorrows,” which talks about how God gives us poetry and metaphor to describe our sorrows.
skoliphant's review
4.0
I’m really grateful for this little book! It’s short and accessible. It’s equally beneficial for those who suffer from depression and those who love and want to support them. I’m so glad he did all the research to bring us a collection of Spurgeon’s thoughts on the subject. It was incredibly encouraging to realize that a giant of the faith suffered so similarly to many of us today. The book is largely quotes, which I did find a little choppy to read sometimes. Missing a star for that and just because it didn’t offer much new in the line of Christian books on the subject. However, it is well done and a great addition. I’ll recommend it.
michaelesch's review
5.0
For anyone that has experienced depression or anxiety at an uncontrollable level, this book is written by one of us. The author has suffered in doubting castle and has been beaten by giant of despair. He accurately describes our pit of darkness and speaks to your soul in those places. It is clear that Spurgeon has also walked that path also. The book was insightful, encouraging, theologically sound and practical.
If you have never experienced depression or anxiety, but work with people who have this book is a great insight to what they experience and how to walk with them without giving them cheesy lines, but truly being able to empathize and encourage them in that dark place.
If you have never experienced depression or anxiety, but work with people who have this book is a great insight to what they experience and how to walk with them without giving them cheesy lines, but truly being able to empathize and encourage them in that dark place.