Pastor
and author Zack Eswine never fails to make me feel human again. He writes in such a gentle and empathetic way,
he manages to pour oil on my brokenness and supplies a companion through the
dark days felt by those familiar with suffering.
In this book, Eswine artfully describes Spurgeon’s
experience with depression and how he ministered both to himself and to those
under his care. Surprisingly, the approach Spurgeon took toward understanding and
treating depression is quite in line with today’s understanding and treatment
recommended by both pastoral and secular experts today. In Spurgeon’s time and
our time, there is a recognition that both physical and certain patterns of
thinking contribute to depression. Treatment may involve both the wise use of
medicine and pastoral care
.
The book is divided into three parts with four chapters
for each part. In each of these three parts Eswine describes Spurgeon’s
experience and counsel. Part one helps us to understand depression. He
describes the condition and it’s causes. In part two we learn what helps and
what doesn’t help those with depression. In part three are the helps that
Spurgeon himself used and he discusses the difficult issue of suicide. Eswines
sensitivity to those who suffer from depression is reflected in leaving the
benefits of sorrow to the last chapter.
I’ve read several books on depression, but this one is
the most helpful. It is the first book I will recommend to anyone who suffers
from depression or is close to one who does.
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