Excellent help for feeling overwhelmed, stressed or depressed.
Rather than being another long, depressing book about depression, Depressed People of the Bible, is as close to FUN as learning about depression can be. The author starts with a premise from Dr. Neil Nedley (who developed the concept that there are “10 hits” of depression) and combines that new concept to the issues Biblical leaders faced in their lifetimes. Using the Nedley “Depression Test,” the author, Jeff Zaremsky, illustrates how people of the Bible overcame their depression through actions they took.
Depressed People of the Bible shows how each of us can compare modern science (depression is not an incurable disease) against the usual excuses (I’m different, my mood swings are normal) using the stories from the Bible to give real hope to the readers of this book.
Each chapter (Moses, Naomi, Jeremiah, David, King Saul to mention a few) tells the Biblical person’s story and explains the number of “hits” they were facing and how they overcame by naturally doing what this book outlines or how they could have overcome those hits by using the guidelines of this resource. Depressed People of the Bible teaches us how we can overcome the same things those Biblical greats did, in our own lives, using this step by step guidebook.
The book is in 15 parts and starts with a quiz to diagnose one’s “hits” and shows how depression is a collection of these hits - symptoms - not a way of life to be endured. Its premise is hopeful, and the book is easy to read and study. There are questions at the end of each chapter which make it a great personal study (I took notes, underlined and highlighted the chapters) but it also could be a perfect group Bible study tool! .
Depressed People of the Bible, is super engaging and easy to read. I recommend it for anyone needing a real tool for change and help in these depressing days. Get it. You’ll use it and love it.
P.S. BONUS: In case you aren't familiar with the Biblical characters discussed in this text, you will learn their stories and their importance in the Books of the Bible by reading this book!