I don’t write this post lightly. Over the past several years the Lord has shown me, time and time again, what a need there is for encouragement among believers for those that struggle not only with depression, but any mental illness.

Read 5 Things NOT To Tell Your Friend With Depression

As I’ve read books over the years, some have helped, some have not. Some have encouraged, some have not. Some point me to Jesus, others do not. So, I wanted to keep a list here of those that I feel truly are Biblical and point us to Jesus in our struggle. So, these books, of course, are only shared from my own experience. These are the books that have encouraged me the most.

5 Books For Christians Struggling With Depression

1.Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness – I have shared about this book and several quotes from it thus far. This book was given to me and the person who gave it to me said, “this book takes such a Biblical look at depression and suffering.” And she was right. Nothing is glossed over, depression is looked at as suffering – not just a fake ailment, and the reader is pointed continually to the Word of God and to Jesus Himself. Also note this same author has a fabulous book on anxiety called Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest.

2.A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty – I really would be hard pressed to think of anyone who has suffered more – yet kept her joy and contentment – more than Joni Eareckson Tada. If you don’t know her story, I beg you to google her name! And then read this book.

3. One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are – This book obviously is not just about depression. But, she does discuss grieving and other mental illness. The ideas and concepts in this book radically changed my perspective. So life changing, yet such simplicity in learning to see God in every moment and to see every moment as a gift. I’m not sure I would have learned those things without this book!

4.Even-Tempered Mother: Tips from a Mom Overcoming Rage and Depression {BONUS CONTENT} – I love this book because it is so PRACTICAL. It is wonderful to have encouragement from God’s Word, but I believe we need to pair it with the practical. This ebook will do that for you. The other thing I like about this book is that it pairs depression with anger. Not everyone has this anger issue come alongside depression, but many do, yet it often is not discussed aloud or in Christian circles.

5. The Contemplative Mom: Restoring Rich Relationship with God in the Midst of Motherhood – Again, another title that isn’t written specifically for depression, but it goes into a very difficult time in the author’s life and practical encouragement is given for allowing God to bring you out of those times and finding peace again.

Friends, I’m sure I don’t need to emphasize this, but I’m not a doctor and these books will not cure you. 🙂 I’m just a regular mom like many of you, struggling through the day-to-day, often needing a word from the Lord to get me through that next moment. These books have given me hope and comfort and practical ideas for difficult seasons. I pray they will do the same for you!

My last suggestion is to read and pray a Psalm a day. This has done wonders for my heart as I have done it for years now, just reading one Psalm, and praying the verses aloud to God. So many of the Psalms were cries from the heart of David who did struggle at many times. It does my heart good to know that God called David a “man after his own heart” and yet David struggled as he did. God can use anyone, friends!! That means you and me!

3 Years Off of Anti-Depressants

I would love for you to read an update now that I have been off all of my anti-depressants for 3 years and am thriving. God has been so good to me. My mindset has changed. My health has changed. We are never truly hopeless if we have Christ. We have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us giving us the power to make the steps necessary to BE TRANSFORMED.

My Journey Off of Anti-Depressants

My wellness journey & 51 pound weight loss!