When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God-and Joy. By John Piper. Wheaton: Crossway, 2006.

As should be expected and appreciated, Piper begins this discussion with theological underpinning. The beginning of our hope out of depression is understanding our justification and its relation to our sanctification. This was key for Bunyan, and it still brings joy out of the gloom today. If we are in Christ, we are justified. That means, we are forever loved, forgiven, and righteous. It is based upon this reality that our sanctification blooms, which is our growing in Christ.

Piper gently reminds his readers who are suffering from melancholy, that they are not alone. Many, including biblical writers, endured dark days. As David says in Psalm 6:6, “I am weary with my moaning.”

In encouraging the downhearted out of the darkness, Piper exhorts to do the things you know you should do, even if you lack joy. Joy will come as you seek to please God. Also, examine your heart to see if any unconfessed sin resides there. Abiding sin will cause much discouragement! Finally, serve others so as not to become self-absorbed. A self-focused life will dwell in darkness.

The last chapter is a plea for the emotionally healthy to minister with perseverance and love to the ones who are often found lacking joy. As an example of this, Piper relates the great story of how Pastor John Newton carefully ministered to depressed poet William Cowper with unceasing love.

One noted strength of this book is the constant reliance upon Scripture in its many applications. As Piper states, “Good, solid Bible teaching is a crucial part of deliverance from the darkening power of the devil” (p. 59). An area of possible concern for some is that Piper allows for guarded treatment of depression with medication in chapter one. He notes how other ministers have followed this method as well, and he encourages the patient to seek out a “God-centered, Bible-saturated medical doctor.” However, those kinds of doctors may be quite hard to find, especially in the area of mental or emotional health. This discussion would raise adamant objections from those who affirm biblical counseling as the sole basis for the cure of depression. On the other hand, all truth is God’s truth, and if we do live in fallen bodies, then it is possible that our brains and chemical makeup could malfunction. Therefore, I agree that medication may be helpful, but it must be pursued carefully and with a view to discontinue its usage. It never helps anyone to become an addict!

All in all, this is a great resource for the hurting and the helping. It is like the difference between a vitamin or a nutritious meal. If someone is feeling poorly and needs to replenish their body, they will probably not sit down and eat a full meal that would provide the nutrition they lack. However, they might would drink a supplement or take a vitamin!

In the same way, a person suffering depression will probably not at first sit down and read a treatise on depression, but they may take the time to read this fully nutritious, theologically informed, practically helpful spiritual vitamin!