This book is VERY helpful. It's both scripturally and medically educating. To complement each day's reading, in the back of the book are daily perforated cards with the scripture and memory joggers for the day. Well-written by 2 men who still face depression, but don't let it overtake them. I'm on day 22 today. The card says "LifeFilter 22 / I Can Dilute My Depression through Sharing / "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14). On the back it says "Today / 1. Remember: God does not want me to be alone in this world. That's why he is always with me. / 2. I resolve to leave isolation and share meaningfully with some positive, wise Christians. / 3. If necessary, I will find a godly counselor and let him/her partner with me in overcoming my depression." It's a cool approach and has taught me a lot. This and "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" are the books that have helped me the most. That along with medication, counseling, time, and talking things out with friends. There is hope. You want there to be hope. You can have a life again.
— EMF, Richmond, Virginia
First I'd like to say that if I could give more than 5 stars, I would for this book. This book is a wonderful book on how to conquer depression, an illness that has plagued me for over 9 years. It is written by two professionals who both are strong Christians and both have suffered from depression which makes you know they understand what you are going through and there is hope. I also appreciated the fact that I didn't have to sift through what I felt was Scriptural and what I felt wasn't as this book is very Biblically based and glorifies God throughout the whole book. If you are suffering, have suffered, or know someone who is suffering from Depression please purchase this book for them. I only wish I had found it years ago when I went through my first major depression.
— CG, Vancouver, Washington
This book is really great! When I was first diagnosed with depression, I didn't understand a lot about it. This book really helped me to understand what was going on with me emotionally and understand what was chemically going on in my body. When the authors say they understand where you're at, they really do! They've been there too. From a Christian perspective, this book is very biblically based. It is the best book I've found on depression yet, at least from a Christian perspective.
— CN, Boulder, Colorado
Thank you Mark and Bruce for putting together the book "Conquering Depression". I believe it to be the best and most practical book I have ever read on the subject. For once I have found a book outlining a workable program, that develops tangible skills, and that forges and sharpens mighty weapons to defeat and overcome depression. A book that addresses the tri-part nature of man: his spirit, his soul (mind, will and emotions) and his body. I am convinced that should people who suffer the dreadful effects of despair and depression follow the 30 day program outlined in your book, they will be empowered to overcome and defeat their depression. Again, well done !
— CC, Sydney, Australia
Mark Sutton and Bruce Hennigan do a great job of explaining some of the many possible causes for depression as well as steps to take in overcoming it. I discovered that a person may battle depression on a daily basis, but it can be overcome. The Life Filters are great! Written from a compassionate viewpoint, this book will help you with depression if you are willing to work and apply its suggestions.
— EC, Shreveport, Louisiana
As one who has suffered from clinical depression for many years I was skeptical about this "30 day plan" approach but after reading this book I am skeptical no more. Written by a medical doctor and a pastor, this is not a "pray it away" approach but rather a multidisciplinary approach that gives information from a medical and spiritual perspective as well as recommendations for treatment and tools to use on a day to day basis. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who lives with depression or even thinks they might have it.
— MJW, West Virginia
“Conquering Depression: A 30-Day Plan To Finding Happiness”, is a recipe for achieving emotional health and well-being through daily bite-size chunks of encouragement. The authors, Pastor Mark Sutton and Dr. Bruce Hennigan, speak candidly from their own experiences with depression, exhorting us not only with their stories, but with uplifting scriptures, mini-devotions, and practical advice throughout. Their many admonitions, such as "Know the Power of No!" (learning to say no to inappropriate requests that sap our emotional energy) will resonate with many folks who feel stressed, burned out, and depressed.
Dr. Hennigan offers an easy-to-understand biological explanation of how and why depression happens. He expounds on the importance of counseling and medication for treating this illness that many Christians, especially, believe they should just be able to "deal with" minus any outside help.
Both authors emphasize that God is "greater than our emotions," and may even use our depression to show us how his power is made perfect in our weakness. At the end of the book are perforated business card-size "LifeFilters," to be detached and used on a daily basis. On the front of the cards are scriptures and reminders of God's love and care for us, and on the back are themes/goals to meditate on for that day.
After reading all 30 days of Conquering Depression, both depressed and non-depressed readers alike, will at the very least, be comforted, encouraged, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves them and will not give up on them!
— SH, Acworth, Georgia
