Praise for
FINDING HOPE AGAIN
I believe Finding Hope Again will be a valuable tool to the many who suffer from depression. The truth shall set them free.
STEPHEN ARTERBLIRN
FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, NEW LIFE CLINICS
The desire of God's heart is that people live with the joy of the Lord in their lives. Yet so many struggle with the "joy robber" of depression. Neil Anderson and Hal Baumchen have written a very insightful book which I pray will help many discover the truth of Jesus' words: "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36, NIV).
D. PAUL BARNES
SENIOR PASTOR, GRACE CHAPEL
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO
Too many books on depression offer no more than a superficial Band-Aid for those living in the bleak shadows of the "dark night of the soul." This book is different. Finding Hope Again is a carefully researched, in-depth book that shines a Christ-centered light directing people onto the road to freedom.
JUSTIN DENNISON
SENIOR PASTOR, BRAMALEA BAPTIST CHURCH
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
This book is the clearest explanation I have read on how to apply the truth of Scripture to bring us into that promised place of abundant joy and peace in
Jesus Christ. If this is the passion of your heart, this book is for you!
LAURIE KILLINGSWORTH
DIRECTOR, PASSIONATE HEARTS CONFERENCES
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
Every pastor and counselor should have this book in their library. Neil Anderson and Hal Baumchen have done a in a masterful job of helping us understand the symptoms and dynamics of depression from a clinical as well as a spiritual perspective. I highly recommend this book for helping people toward wholeness in their battle with depression.
WAYNE R. LEHSTEN
PASTOR OF FAMILY AND COUNSELING MINISTRIES
SCOTTSDALE BIBLE CHURCH
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
Riveting! I read the whole book in one day. I only wish it had been available to
me during the dark and dreary time when I fought depression.
JOHN MARSHALL
PASTOR, SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI
Finding Hope Again is good medicine for body, soul and spirit. It speaks to physical, psychological and spiritual causes and cures for depression. Far from pat answers and simplistic solutions, this book speaks to the whole person.
CHUCK MYLANDER
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR, C. P. HAGGARD SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
AZUSA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
Far from advocating a simplistic name-it-and-claim-it or cast-it-out treatment for depression, Neil Anderson and Hal Baumchen present a realistic, yet hope-filled approach to understanding and dealing with this most pervasive of human problems. In our do-away-with-pain-at-all-costs society, it is so important to be reminded that, in God's hands, the crucible of depression may contain the refining fire that forges a priceless maturity in Christ.
DANIEL J. RUMBERGER, PSY.D.
PSYCHOLOGIST, INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR BIBLICAL COUNSELING
SIOUX CITY, IOWA
Neil Anderson and Hal Baumchen have captured the biblical answer to the plague of human depression. This delightful book comes with a bring-back-the-joy guarantee. It's a must-read for every generation!
STAN TOLER
PASTOR AND AUTHOR
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA
FINDING HOPE AGAIN
Published in India by
Freedom Ministries, India, I-48, Anna Nagar, Chennai - 600102
Under special permission from
Regal Books, A Division of Gospel Light, Ventura, California, U.S.A.
1500 copies (1999).
Regal Books is a ministry of Gospel Light, an evangelical Christian publisher dedicated to serving the local church. We believe God's vision for Gospel Light is to provide church leaders with biblical, user-friendly materials that will help them evangelize, disciple and minister to children, youth and families. It is our prayer that this Regal book will help you discover biblical truth for your own life and help you meet the needs of others. May God richly bless you. For a free catalog of resources from Regal Books and Gospel Light please call your Christian supplier, or contact us at 1 -800-4-GOSPEL or at www.gospellight.com. |
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation.
Used by permission.
Other Version used is:
NIV - Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version .NIV Copyright I 973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Copyright 1999 by Neil T. Anderson and Hal Baumchen
All rights reserved.
Cover Design by Kevin Keller
Interior Design by Robert Williams
Edited by Ron Durham and Virginia Woodard
Cover Photo Wilhelm Scholz/Photonica
Library of Congress Cata1oging-in-Publication Data
Anderson, Neil T., 9142-
Finding Hope Again / Neil T. Anderson and Hal Baumchen.
p. cm. (Includes bibliographical references.)
ISBN 0-8307-2356-0 (hardcover)
1 . Depression, Mental Religious aspects - Christianity.
2. Depressed persons Religious life. I. Baumchen, Hal, 1956-.
II. Title. III. Series.
BV4910.34.A53 1999 98-48428
248.8'625dc21 CIP
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15/04 03 02 01 00 99
Rights for publishing this book in other languages are contracted by Gospel Literature International (GLINT). GLINT also provides technical help for the adaptation, translation and publishing of Bible study resources and book in scores of languages worldwide. For further information, write to GLINT at P.O. Box 4060, Ontario, CA 91761-1003, U.S.A. You may also send e-mail to .
FOREWORD
Freedom. Release. Relief. These are all too familiar words of request and pleading from countless patients suffering from the agonizing symptoms of depression. "Will it ever end?" "What did I do wrong?" "What can I do to make it go away?"
As mental health professionals, we daily see the pain and anguish of this most common of all emotional illnesses. Depression is the "common cold" of mental health problems. At least 80 percent of people presenting to our office will be dealing with some kind of affective or mood disorder ranging from mild situational and stress-related "Adjustment Disorder with depressed mood," through more persistent and long-standing "Dysthymic Disorder," to severe and life threatening "Major Depression."
Depression with suicidal attempt or plan is by far the leading diagnosis on admission to any psychiatric facility. The lifetime prevalence of depression is 20 percent. That is, one in five people will suffer a significant bout of depression sometime during his or her lifetime. This demonstrates the importance of both a thorough understanding and a comprehensive treatment for this all-so-frequent malady painfully suffered by so many human beings.
In this exciting new book, Dr. Hal Baumchen collaborates with Dr. Neil Anderson of Freedom in Christ Ministries to provide us a clear, comprehensive look at this increasingly prevalent condition. Theirs is a holistic approach, balancing physical, psychological, and spiritual causes for depression in an honest, insightful way. It's a good road map. Their expertise lies especially in providing insight into the spiritual roots or inroads (routes) for depressions, an area usually neglected in secular books on this subject.
