Out of the Cave: Stepping into the Light When Depression Darkens What You See

Hodges (The Daniel Dilemma), senior pastor of the Church of the Highlands in Alabama, delivers insight, encouragement, and advice to Christians wrestling with depression. Hoping to reduce the stigma surrounding depression, he examines the life of Elijah and also shares his own struggles from when he felt so depressed he wanted to die. Hodges was tempted to run from his calling as a pastor, but when he acknowledged that he needed help, he writes, God didn’t abandon or condemn him, just as God met Elijah in the cave of his depression. Hodges emphasizes the need for churches to “normalize the battles of depression” and provides direction for compassionate responses—as well as what not to say to those dealing with depression. He approaches mental health holistically, identifying biological, social, and emotional triggers while also exploring spiritual aspects, and finding correlations between depression and lifestyle choices such as lack of sleep, poor diet, and overwork. His suggestions for maintaining balance include taking a “weekly inventory” to see “patterns and themes” that “are affecting emotions positively” or negatively, investing time in relationships, and concentrating on God’s message and plan for one’s life. Hodges’s transformative guide will help Christians struggling with depression to create a more purposeful life. (May)