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

by Chris Hodges Narrated by Mark Smeby

Overview

Do you feel guilt and shame about negative thoughts and emotions and your inability to overcome them? Bestselling author and pastor Chris Hodges helps those struggling with depression find liberating solutions by drawing from the life of the prophet Elijah.

You might be asking, Should a Christian even be having these struggles?

Depression is the number one health issue in the world today, yet those who suffer are still sometimes stigmatized--especially followers of Jesus. Many assume God's peace, power, and protection should prevent us from ever feeling anxious, depressed, and afraid. But the Bible teaches otherwise, particularly in its depiction of the life of the Old Testament prophet Elijah.

In Out of the Cave, Chris Hodges uses Elijah's life to show us that everyone is susceptible to depression. Even when we're walking closely with God, we can still stumble and get lost in the wilderness of tangled emotions. But we don't have to stay there, because we serve a God who meets us in the darkness. Out of the Cave helps us

• remove the stigma of depression and realize we're not alone;
• understand the ways our temperament and view of God affect the way we handle depression; and
• learn a comprehensive approach to wellness-mind, body, and soul-from Elijah's journey.

With his trademark blend of Bible-based wisdom, practical application, and vulnerability in sharing his personal struggles, Hodges explores the causes of depression we can't change, the contributors we can conquer, and offers transformative hope and spiritual power to help us win the battle.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

03/29/2021

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)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173282538
Publisher:	Nelson, Thomas, Inc.
Publication date:	05/25/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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