Book Review – Straight Talk on Depression
Image: Straight Talk on Depression by Len Lantz (CC BY-NC-ND)
Synopsis: Len's Star Rating: 4 out of 10. A Christian book on depression that mainly presents depression as a spiritual issue.
BY LEN LANTZ, MD / 1.26.2022; No. 69
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Star Rating – 4 out of 10
Rating guide: 1 = horrible, 5 = average and 10 = wow
Author
Joyce Meyer
About the author
Joyce Meyer, PhD, is a bestselling author, speaker, ordained minister, and the president of Joyce Meyer Ministries, a nonprofit that has a worldwide humanitarian impact in countries affected by disaster, starvation, insufficient medical care, and lack of clean water. Dr. Meyer earned a PhD in theology at Life Christian University in Tampa, Florida. She is reported to have authored 130 books, and many of her books have been translated into 155 languages. Her signature program, Enjoying Everyday Life, is available on television, radio, online media, and as a magazine.
General description
Straight Talk on Depression is a book on depression that mostly considers depression from a spiritual standpoint. The book includes verses from the Bible to encourage Christians who are struggling with depression. The author looks at depression primarily as a spiritual attack from the devil and addresses possible situations that can lead to depression, including:
Disappointments
Self-pity
Comparisons to others
Rejection and failure
Being around other people who have depression
Unique and most important aspects
I did not find myself agreeing or disagreeing with the theology presented in Straight Talk on Depression, however, I believe that the predominant theme – that nearly all depression is spiritual – is inaccurate. The author provides encouraging verses from the Bible about depression and offers helpful strategies for being aware of negative thoughts and quickly working to rebalance inaccurate thoughts or correct unhelpful habits. I appreciated Dr. Joyce Meyer’s efforts to destigmatize depression, however, I did not find this book to be comprehensive enough in looking at depression from a Christian perspective and was disappointed by the oversimplified explanations of the causes of depression and the limited range of suggested solutions.
Best quotes
“The good news is that Jesus can heal depression and deliver us from it in the same way He can any other sickness or problem.”
“Many people, including Spirit-filled Christians, not only have had bouts with depression, but major problems with it. I had problems with depression myself a long time ago. But, thank God, I learned I didn’t have to allow the negative feeling of depression to rule me.”
“If the depression is a medical depression, one that is caused from a chemical imbalance or other physical problems, obtaining proper physical help is prudent.”
“Some people, born with more of an “up” personality, don’t have problems with depression. But there are many others; including born-again, Spirit-filled Christians; who suffer from it regularly.”
Who would enjoy this book?
Readers who are interested in a Christian book that mainly views depression as a spiritual issue would likely enjoy Straight Talk on Depression.
Who would not enjoy this book?
Readers who are looking for a Christian book on depression that goes beyond spiritual causes and solutions are unlikely to enjoy Straight Talk on Depression and, instead, would likely enjoy the book Overcoming Spiritual Depression (See Len’s Book Review).
Conclusion
Straight Talk on Depression is a Christian book on depression that mainly presents depression as a spiritual issue.