Isn’t that a great title?!  I just finished this book by Craig Groeschel, and I wanted to share it with you.

Depression often feels like we’re stuck in the shadows … darkness falls, and so do our spirits. We may wrestle with all sorts of questions, doubts, fears, and other emotions – but hope remains.

I’m writing a review this week because this book is a treasure for those of us who cope with Depression – or love someone who does.

The author writes from a place of “simultaneous pain and hope” as he shares experiences from his own life – and from the trials others have shared with him through separations, dangerous illnesses, death of loved ones, and multiple other losses. It’s not ‘light’ reading – but it does shed real light. We are invited to wrestle through our pain, honest doubts, questions, and even unanswered prayers to find that God is still real. He’s there – and He cares.

This is a rare and honest look at the kinds of issues we’d rather not have to see or face in our lives. It’s a brave book. It inspires courage and hope in readers. Using scripture, wise observation, wit and great compassion Craig shares both the Why and How-to of wrestling through the pain and struggling through the dark – until we are able to rise and stand again in the light of God’s love.

‘Standing again’ does not mean denying or stuffing our feelings, faking a smile and forcing our steps to march in time with what we think is the right pace for a ‘good Christian’ man or woman. No – we’re not called to be wooden soldiers. It simply means facing our circumstances head-on — openly and honestly sharing our needs, requests, complaints, and emotions with God – and then hanging on in TRUST that He’s good and He cares and that He is with us (even when we can’t see or feel His presence in our circumstance). He knows our every thought, so we might as well openly acknowledge Him, and share what’s in our hearts.

The book offers stories, comfort, inspiration and practical strategies to help us prepare for the struggles that are sure to come as we live in this fallen world. We are not alone. That knowledge changes everything.  Even in the darkness – light still exists. Believe it!

Blessings, Love and Laughter to you!

PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS:

1.  What books or other resources have YOU found helpful in dark times