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

Description

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. Contents Cover Title Page Copyright Foreword by Rick Warren Introduction: An Invitation to Come Out of Your Cave PART 1: DEFINING DEPRESSION 1.  Just Like Us 2.  What You Might Not Know About Depression 3.  Removing the Stigma PART 2: CONTRIBUTING CAUSES 4.  Life Imbalance 5.  Scrolling Away My Peace 6.  Chewing the Cud 7.  Social Distancing 8.  Rainy Days and Mondays 9.  The Unseen Enemy PART 3: STEPPING INTO SOLUTIONS 10.  Stepping into a Needed Recovery 11.  Stepping into a God Encounter 12.  Stepping into a True Identity 13.  Stepping into a New Assignment 14.  Stepping into Relational Strength Acknowledgments Appendix A: Stepping into the Truth of God’s Word Appendix B: Spiritual Warfare Prayers Appendix C: Praying for Loved Ones Who Are Depressed Appendix D: Suicide Prevention Notes About the Author