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If you have ever really suffered from depression, if you have been diagnosed as a “depressed” person (whatever the name is given for your condition), you will find John Piper’s book, “When the Darkness Will Not Lift” a helpful book to read.
Because I am classified as one of those listed in my first paragraph, I am always interest in what others have to say about depression. One of the things that hits home strongly is that Mr. Piper reassures you that you are not alone. He strongly suggests that you not leave the Lord out of your life as you attempt to recover. But he pulls no punches either. “You cannot isolate the spiritual from the physical for we are body, mind and spirit. The greatest and the best Christians when they are physically weak are more prone to an attack of spiritual depression that at any other time and there are great illustrations of this in the scriptures.”
Mr. Piper does not isolate the person suffering from this illness, but speaks to the family and friends as well. They are cautioned in methods of helping the sufferer – for instance, he quoted his father as saying: “Share their faith.” “Joy is Christ thrives on being shared. That is the essence of Christian joy: It overflows or dies.” Mr. Piper continues.
I do recommend this book for depressed persons, for their families, and their friends. It is short, only 79 pages, concise and to the point. No words are wasted and many Christian suggestions are offered.