August 17, 2012
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Book Review: When the Darkness will not Lift
John Piper is one of my favorite authors. I love his writing style. I also love the fact that he weaves compassion into his exhortations towards obeying God’s commands. He seems to come alongside his listener as a friend who understands and offers hope as a fellow grace receiver. I appreciate that so much!
“When the Darkness will not Lift” is a small book with less than 80 pages. The fonts are a good size so it’s an easy read. It really could be read in one sitting which is a plus for those suffering from depression since the ability to concentrate is oftentimes affected. This small book is taken from the last chapter in a larger one called, When I don’t desire God: How to fight for joy.
Pastor John Piper points the reader to the bible’s exhortation of joy.
- Rejoice Always. (1 Thess. 5:16)
- Serve the Lord with gladness (Ps. 100:2)
- Count it all joy (James 1:2)
You can imagine how difficult this may be to hear if you were in a deep depression. Fight for joy when I’m depressed? That is the last thing a depressed person may want to hear. Pastor John acknowledges the difficulties for the depressed in fighting for joy. But, then encourages you towards obeying the command to ‘rejoice always’ by giving helpful counsel from God’s Word on ways to continue in the fight. He writes that some believe this is adding another burden but he resists that notion stating that the afflicted are already burdened down and by pressing them gently towards their duty, it will bring them freedom.. not a burden.. in the end.
One aspect of this book that I appreciated the most is that Pastor John Piper starts with our justification and sanctification found in Christ alone before He lays out ways we can fight for joy. A soul fighting depression oftentimes will ‘feel’ deserted by God. He writes how depression can shake a believer’s faith and the necessity of remembering where our justification is found and Who is continuing to work within us. He continues to gently turn the ‘eyes’ of the believer on Christ to restore joy while still exhorting them to their duty to fight for it.
I put this book in my ‘car bag’ along with my crocheting. I took it into the doctor’s waiting room and the pharmacy and finished it in 2 sittings.
This book would be a great help not only for the depressed but also for anyone who counsels and ministers to them. All of us have either experienced depression or known someone who has. It will definitely have a permanent place on my bookshelf.
Comments (2)
Thanks for the review. John Piper is a favorite of mine, too, and I’d not heard of this book before.
John Piper- he is so good- if anyone has this book and it is available to lend – may I borrow it? I had not heard of it but think it would be very helpful to me and others.