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Helpful Reading

These are books that I have either read or have been highly recommended to me. None of them have all the answers, but in combination, they are extremely helpful. If you are a reader, try these books. The links are connected to that particular entry at Amazon.com.

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Devotionals

• Journaling. In my journey, I have found journaling to be one of the most helpful activities I could engage in. Much more than a diary, it is a book about YOU. I write down my experiences, my feelings, my prayers, even my devotionals and quiet times. If you try it for two weeks, you will be hooked, like I was.
• My Utmost For His Highest, by Oswald Chambers; published by Discovery House, copyright 1992, ISBN 0929239571. This is the Christian classic devotional guide, beside which just about all others must be measured. If you have not used this devotional guide, I strongly recommend it. Try it for two weeks, just 14 days, and see if you like it.
• Psalms Now, by Leslie Brandt, published by Concordia Books, copyright 1996, ISBN 0570042577 . If you can get past the very 70's cover and language, this is an incredible way to look at the Psalms. Each Psalm is paraphrased in ways that actually bring the comfort that was intended by the Psalmists. Great for daily devotionals.

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Bible Studies

• How to Study The Bible, by Kay Arthur, published by Harvest House Books, copyright 1994, ISBN unknown. Kay Arthur is the founder of Precept Ministries, dedicated to improving the lives of Christians by improving their Bible study habits. This is an incredible book which will revolutionize the way you study the Bible. I can't recommend it highly enough.
• Lord, I Want To Know You, by Kay Arthur, published by Multnomah Books, copyright 1992, ISBN 0880704586. Comprehensive and readable, this study explores the character and nature of God by looking more closely at the names of God as found in the Bible. If you feel that God has forsaken you or let you down, try this book.
• God, Are You There?, by Kay Arthur, published by Harvest House Books, copyright 1994, ISBN 1565072391. All about how to reestablish a relationship with God by exploring the Gospel of John.
• Free From Bondage, God's Way, by Kay Arthur, published by Harvest House Books, copyright 1994, ISBN 1565072057. A study of Galatians and Ephesians using the Precept On Precept Bible study method.
• Lord, Only You Can Change Me, by Kay Arthur, published by Multnomah Books, copyright 1995, ISBN 0880708786. A study on how to allow God to change our character by studying the Beatitudes. I have not done this study yet, but it looks good.
• Lord, Heal My Hurts, by Kay Arthur, published by Multnomah Books, copyright 1989, ISBN 0880708794. By studying the book of Jeremiah, Kay Arthur shows us how we can come to God for comfort even in the worst times. This books continually encourages me not to give up on God, that He hasn't really let me down. I am currently in this study.
• Anger, by Shannon B. Rainey, published by Navpress, copyright 1992, ISBN 0891096876. This is a short study on the reasons and results of our anger. When people are hurt, even Christians, we find that we have tons of unexpressed anger and resentment towards the situation, people, and even God. A better understanding of that anger and resentment can help us deal with it in a more productive manner. I am currently in this study, also.
• Grief, by Liam & Precious Atchison, published by Navpress, copyright 1993, ISBN 0891097430. Another short study on how to deal with overwhelming grief and loss. It doesn't make the pain go away, or even dull the pain, but it does make our response to it more understandable.
• Stress, by Steve Shores, published by NavPress, copyright 1992, ISBN 0981096868. I feel that a lot of us, myself included, are in a vicious circle of pain; we get stressed out, which feeds our depression, which stresses us out more, which makes us more depressed, etc. This little study helps us recognize the sources of our stress and shows how to find options for dealing with it.

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Self-Awareness

• Rebuilding Your Broken World, by Gordon MacDonald, published by Nelson Books, copyright 1990, ISBN 0840795769. MacDonald is also the author of an earlier book called Ordering Your Private World, about prioritizing your life and getting your life under control. After the publication of that book, MacDonald's own life was devastated when he confessed to an extramarital affair. Rebuilding Your Broken World is the result. At no time does MacDonald try to excuse his behavior, but he does explore the lives of what he calls "broken-world people," of which I am one. He discusses how to begin to allow God to put our lives back together. I have read this book twice since my life fell apart nine months ago, and I highly, highly, highly recommend it.
• Pain and Pretending, by Rich Buhler, publisher information not available. I read on amazon.com that this book is currently out of print, and I have loaned my copy out to someone and never gotten it back. If you can get a copy of this book, do so. It will do more than practically any other book I have ever read.
• The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, by Hannah Whitall Smith, published by Revell, copyright 1985, ISBN 0800780078. First published in 1973, this is a great book on practical ways to improve your spiritual life.
• The Storm Within, by Mark Littleton, published by Tyndale House, copyright 1994, ISBN 0842372075. This book can sometimes be a little hard to read and understand. Most of the book revolves around what Littleton calls "the long, dark night of the soul," when we feel that God has removed His hand from us.
• Telling Yourself the Truth, by William Backus and Marie Chapian, published by Bethany House, copyright 1980, ISBN 0871235625. This book is about "misbelief therapy," which the authors call "the biggest source of depression." Their premise is that we don't like ourselves because we believe things about ourselves that are not true. Recommended.
• Why Do I Do What I Don't Want To Do? by William Backus and Marie Chapian, published by Bethany House, copyright 1984, ISBN 0871236257. Building on the theme of "misbelief therapy," the authors explore our compulsions that make us do what we don't want to do. Recommended.
• We Are Driven: The Compulsive Behaviors America Applauds, by Dr. Robert Hemfelt, Dr. Frank Minirth, and Dr. Paul Meier, published by Nelson Books, copyright 1991, ISBN 0840770715. In this ground-breaking book, the doctors of Minirth-Meier Clinic help those of us who are susceptible to drivenness learn how to prevent positive behaviors from becoming addictions.(from the jacket) I have not read this book, but it comes highly recommended for those perfectionists out there.
• The Twelve Steps For Christians, by Friends in Recovery, published by Recovery Publications, copyright 1994, ISBN 0941405575. Another take on the AA Twelve Step program, applied to recovery from addictions and dysfunctional families.

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Other Good Books to Read

• Honest To God? Becoming An Authentic Christian, by Bill Hybels, published by Zondervan Books, copyright 1990, ISBN 0310521807. Despite what others may tell us, our depression is not necessarily caused by a false relationship with God. However, for those times when such a relationship may be an underlying cause of our depression, this book shows us how to become authentic in our faith.
• The Grace Awakening, by Charles Swindoll, published by Word Books, copyright 1990, ISBN 0849907691. This is a powerful book. A lot of people in depression are made to feel worse by disapproving of the behavior of others. This book shows when such disapproval is Biblically warranted, and when it is not. Highly recommended.