If I'm a Christian, Why Am I Depressed?: Finding Meaning and Hope in the Dark Valley One Man's Journey

by Robert B. Somerville

“Some people say that Christians should never be depressed. I take issue with that, being a quadriplegic who has battled cancer and struggles daily with pain. I love my Savior, am passionate about His Gospel, and enjoy the ministry He has given me. But that does not exclude me from occasionally stumbling into the miry pit of dark emotions. I enthusiastically endorse this book and recommend it to pastors, families, leaders, and Christian counselors!”

— Joni Eareckson Tada, director of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, author, and speaker

In this achingly honest work, Dr. Somerville explains that depression is not restricted to the secular world. Throughout history, godly men and woman—among them Martin Luther and Charles Spurgeon—have suffered in the deep trenches of dark emotion. But God’s Word promises victory at the seemingly unreachable end of trials, and new strength forged from adversity and pain in the new light that follows the darkness of despair.

You are not alone. In If I’m a Christian, Why am I Depressed? you will find not only the author’s testimony but also those of others who have struggled with depression and through prayer and biblical counseling have overcome by embracing Christ’s healing love.


Robert B. Somerville is a professor of Biblical Counseling at The Master’s College in Santa Clarita, California. He is a fellow with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and has devoted his life to teaching and counseling from the scriptures. A well-loved pastor/teacher for thirty-five years, in this current season, “Dr. Bob” is a favorite prof to his students, who appreciate his sincere love for the Lord and the depth of experience he brings to the classroom, as well as his transparency. He and his wife, Mary, have two children and seven grandchildren and currently live in Valencia, California.

Genres: Counselling, Christian Living, Christianity, Mental Health

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 28, 2014

Reviews

[Libby Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical, compassionate book that not only gives a biblical perspective of depression, but also offers real responses centered around Christ and the gospel. I appreciated the stories at the end of each chapter of the people who've gone through it before. The author and his wife speak from personal experience with depression, but also with a firm understanding of the truth. It was a raw, yet gracious and Scripture-saturated read. It counseled me as I read it and I am so grateful to the friend who recommended it when I needed it most. The writing is not exceptional (that is not to say it isn't written well), but the content is too powerful for it to be overshadowed by presentation.

A book I'd like to have on my shelf—one I'd readily recommend to friends who know the darkness of depression, as well as others who want to understand and help those who do.

[Emma Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - such a helpful resource! Lots of great theology but also practical help

[Karleen Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely excellent book that helped me when I was struggling with PPD. It was practical while being written through a compassionate lens.

[Chelsie Hargrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best resource on depression I have read. This book speaks to depression from a compassionate, biblical perspective. I really appreciate how Robert Somerville shares his own perspective and experience. He doesn't shy away from bearing his heart to help others and you can hear the compassion in his writing as he himself has been through the dark valley of depression. There is a good balance between the medical/physical and the emotional/spiritual aspects. The Valley of the Vision prayers and personal stories at the end of each chapter are a great addition. Each chapter also ends with practical tips on how to respond in obedience to the truths in scripture even when you don't feel like it. This has been personally useful for me through postpartum depression and I would recommend it for others going through depression.

[Jeffrey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author who is a college instructor in biblical counseling narrates his experience and how he, his wife, and friends pulled him out of depression through application of the Gospel. God used the suffering to mature him and his marriage.

[L8blmr · Rating 4 out of 5]

There have been times when I battled depression that Christian friends would imply, some even coming out and saying, that if I really "believed" and prayed fervently, I would not need medication to help my condition. It took me a long time to stop feeling guilty about my faith not being strong enough, until I understood that I have a chemical imbalance that needs medication to correct it. The writer, thankfully, did not take the stance that one is not spiritual enough if they are depressed. Instead, he told his story and shared what worked for him. If one is not a Christian, this book would not be very helpful and there will, of course, be many Christians that do not agree with many of the statements made by Dr.Somerville. Much like one's faith and relationship, or lack thereof, with God, how to treat your depression is a very personal choice.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who has struggled with depression for almost all of my life (since 5 years old), I found this book to be both extremely encouraging and appropriately convicting. Dr. Somerville toes the line between compassion and correction with greater finesse than any other counselor I've ever heard of, and makes it a point to bring everything back around to God's Word and Truth. I will most definitely be keeping my copy and recommending it to anyone and everyone who either has or knows someone with depression.

[Kylie.Williams11213 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great outlook on depression as a mental illness and how to combat it medically as well as spiritually! If you want to understand depression in more depth, I highly recommend this read! I also think it would be really helpful for individuals struggling with depression and for counseling,

[Beth Sumners · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on depression I've ever read - very balanced, full of encouragement, scripture and personal stories. Feels very personal and comforting knowing that Dr. Somerville experienced depression after years of teaching and mature christian living.

[Dogeared Wanderer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written from a different perspective from many on depression, in that it doesn't focus so much on determining how you got there or how to help you get out. Rather it helps you focus on both physical and spiritual needs while in the midst of it, no matter how long it goes.

The author is a professor of Biblical counseling at the Master's College and counseled people with depression for many years -- until he fell into deep depression himself. This is a man who was gripped by an oppressive bleakness he couldn't shake, even after searching his heart and much prayer.

What I greatly appreciated about this book is that it's soaked in Scripture. Hope leaps from its pages, not to condemn the reader but to bring them to Jesus and show them that He cares for them, both soul and body.

This book is an excellent resource for those who want to help those who struggle with depression, or for those who are depressed themselves. I also appreciated the testimonials of those he's counseled which came after each chapter. The author does a good job balancing all the factors.

[D. Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book on depression that I’ve read so far. The numerous stories of people who suffered with depression and recovered are engaging and encouraging, and they help the non-depressed person understand what it’s like. It is a good balance between acknowledging the difficulty while still holding forth the sufficiency of Scripture for recovery. And the final chapter written for those who care for depressed people is outstanding.