Self Help Resources Click on a heading to learn more about it. Depression
Everyone suffers from depression from time to time. It's a natural defense mechanism that allows the mind to take a rest by causing an individual to withdraw from reality for a day or two. But for some people, the withdrawal is deeper and lasts longer. It interferes with their lives and can lead them to substance abuse or suicide as a means of escape. When this happens, a person is said to have severe depression. There are three types of depression: Note: Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme mood swings from mania (excessive excitement or joy) to deep depression with many of the same symptoms and causes as depression, but requiring a different course of treatment. Who is affected? One in five people suffers from depression at some point in their life. Depression can strike anyone, even children and babies who have been abused and neglected. Middle-aged adults, however, are more likely to become depressed than any other age group. While depression is often associated with loneliness, married people are more likely to become depressed than single people. Women are twice as likely as men to become depressed. Symptoms The symptoms of depression range from feeling "down" to feeling suicidal. A slowing down or neglect in performing daily tasks, irritability, poor memory, or changes in behavior are all symptoms. A loss of sexual desire or loss of warm feelings toward family members, a lack of pleasure in anything, or a loss of self-esteem are all symptoms. Physical changes can include sleep disturbances, fatigue, unexplained headaches or backaches, digestive problems, and nausea. All of us at some time experience one or more of these symptoms. But when they become persistent and so severe that pain and other problems outweigh pleasure much of the time, then it is time to seek professional help. Causes There is no one cause for depression. Personality, personal relationships, physical health, and genetics are all factors. People who are highly self-critical, very demanding, or unusually passive may be prone to depression. Problems with a spouse, a child, or an employer can cause depression. Imbalances in the chemicals in the brain due to illness, infection, or medications can be a cause. Substance abuse can be a symptom of depression, but also a cause. And while depression cannot be inherited, it does seem to be more prevalent in some families. Prevention Depression cannot always by avoided, but because it is often related to stress and physical problems, it is possible to lessen the chances of becoming severely depressed. Here are some tips: * Information Obtained from the University of Missouri Counseling Center Bipolar
* Information Obtained from the University of Missouri Counseling Center Generalized Anxiety Disorder
* Information Obtained from Anxiety Info.com Panic Disorder
* Information Obtained from Anxiety Info.com Suicide
* Information Obtained from the University of Missouri Counseling Center Addiction Codependency Family Sexual Abuse Spiritual Health Soul Care Bible: Experiencing and Sharing Hope God's Way - Tim Clinton (Editor) The Soul Care Bible is a resource to help God's people survive, even thrive, in the challenges and difficulties of life. In it, we see how God comes alive in His word, and how He helps us and assists us in helping others. When the Word of God intersects with human need, healing takes place. The Soul Care Bible gives helpers throughout the body of Christ an opportunity to search the Scriptures, increase knowledge, develop skills, grow in hope-and help others do the same through the power of God. A Life God Rewards - Bruce Wilkinson "We know instinctively that we're heading for an eternity of something after death. But an eternity of what? In this soul-stirring follow-up to his runaway bestsellers The Prayer of Jabez and Secrets of the Vine, Bruce Wilkinson leads you to some astonishing and entirely biblical answers about the hereafter. He gives a fresh view of the eternal existence you're investing in right now- showing why it's worth it (at a thousand percent return on investment) to serve God with all your heart for all your life!" (The Breakthrough Series) A Woman After God's Own Heart - Elizabeth George "Scripture-based principles for every reader who wants to become God's woman of excellence. For any woman who wants to achieve a growing relationship with God, develop an active partnership with her husband, and make her home into a spiritual oasis." (Parable.com) Back to TopAwaken The Leader Within - Bill Perkins "You're a leader! In fact, every time you try to get someone to do something you want done, you're exercising leadership. This book will help you discover from Jesus how to lead more effectively as you understand the character traits and practical skills of a true leader. A discussion guide in the back of the book will help you integrate the principles into your life as you allow Jesus to help you learn how to cultivate and cast a vision, make wise decisions, build a team, harness opposing forces, facilitate innovation, and put others first." (Zondervan Church Source) Battlefield of the Mind - Joyce Meyer "Winning the Beauty by The Book- Nancy Stafford "From celebrated Boundaries- Cloud& Townsend Boundaries, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, addresses specific issues that confront today's Christians. Issues such as: (1) Living a life out of control, (2) Having people take advantage of us, (3) Having trouble saying no, (4) Being disappointed with God because of unanswered prayers, and (5) Many more vital issues" (Cloud-Townsend Resources). Back to TopBoundaries in Dating- Cloud & Townsend "Between singleness and marriage lies the journey of dating. Want to make your road as smooth as possible? Set and maintain healthy boundaries- boundaries that will help you grow in freedom, honesty, and self-control. If many of your dating experiences have been difficult, Boundaries in Dating could revolutionize the way you handle relationships. And even if you're doing well, the insights you'll gain from this much-needed book can help you fine-tune or even completely readjust important areas of your dating life. Read by the authors of the best-selling book Boundaries, Boundaries in Dating is your road map to the kind of enjoyable, rewarding dating that can take you from weekends alone to a lifetime with the soul mate you've longed for." (Healthy Boundaries.com) Boundaries with Kids - Cloud & Townsend "Since the 1992 release of their Gold Medallion Award-winning book, Boundaries, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend have heard these three questions rephrased thousands of times. As parents begin to realize the tremendous impact poor boundaries have had on their own lives, their concern naturally extends to their children. How can they help their sons and daughters form healthy boundaries that lead to well-rounded characters and successful adult lives? Now there are answers. Boundaries with Kids helps parents apply the Ten Laws of Boundaries (first described in Boundaries) to the challenges of raising children. In their popular, readable style, Cloud and Townsend help moms and dads make choices and develop a parenting approach that sees beyond the moment to the adults their children will become. For parents who want their kids to escape the struggles they themselves have experienced, here's an in-depth look at how to implement the preventive medicine of character development by establishing sound boundaries starting with the parents. Boundaries with Kids helps moms and dads learn how to bring control to an out-of-control family life set limits and still be loving parents define what legitimate boundaries are in the family transfer what they are learning as parents to help their children develop healthy boundaries. Illustrating its points with numerous case studies and anecdotes, Boundaries with Kids gives parents the can-do guidance they need in order to model healthy boundaries for their kids. This book may well be the best investment parents will ever make into the lifelong welfare of their children." (Zondervan.com) Boundaries in Marriage - Cloud & Townsend "Only when you and your mate know and respect each other's needs, choices, and freedom can you give yourselves freely and lovingly to one another. Boundaries in Marriage gives you the tools you need. Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend, counselors and authors of the award-winning best-seller Boundaries, show you how to apply the principles of boundaries to your marriage. This long-awaited book helps you understand the friction points or serious hurts and betrayals in your marriage -- and move beyond them to the mutual care, respect, affirmation, and intimacy you both long for." (Zondervan.com) Back to TopBreaking Free - Beth Moore "Do you want to know God and really believe Him? Do you want to find
satisfaction in God, experience His peace, and enjoy His presence? Do you want
to make the freedom Christ promised a reality in your daily life? Changes That Heal - Henry Cloud "This book focuses on four developmental tasks--bonding to others, separating from others, integrating good and bad in our lives, and taking charge of our lives--that all of us must accomplish to heal our inner pain and to enable us to function and grow emotionally and spiritually" (Life Way Stores.com). Feeling Good - David Burns "Dr. Burns describes how you can combat feelings of depression so you can develop greater self-esteem." God is in The Small Stuff and it all matters - Bruce & Stan "Their encouraging message: God is just as concerned with the little things in our lives as He is about the big issues. Practical, encouraging chapters, such as "You Can Know God's Will," "Simplify Life and Enjoy it More," and many more, include a two- to three-page reading followed by Bruce and Stan's wise and witty "In the Small Stuff" points. Easy-to-understand New International Version and New Living Translation Scriptures accompany the text" (Campusi.com). Back to TopHinds Feet on High Places - Hannah Hurnard "This book is a beautiful allegory dramatizing the yearning of God's children to be led to new heights of love, joy, and victory. Follow Much-Afraid on her spiritual journey through difficult places with her two companions, Sorrow and Suffering. Learn how Much-Afraid overcomes her tormenting fears as she passes through many dangers and mounts at last to the High Places. There she gains a new name and returns to her valley of service, transformed by her union with the loving Shepherd." (Concerned Women for America) His Needs Her Needs: Building and Affair-Proof Marriage - Willard Harley "Marriage works only when each spouse takes the time to consider the other's needs and strives to meet them. In His Needs, Her Needs, Willard Harley identifies the ten most vital needs of men and women and shows husbands and wives how to satisfy those needs in their spouses. He provides guidance for becoming irresistible to your spouse and for loving more creatively and sensitively, thereby eliminating the problems that often lead to extramarital affairs." (Amazon.com) I Can't Be an Addict, I'm a Christian - Melinda Fish "Christians are not immune to addictive/compulsive behavior problems, and those who commit their lives to Christ are not automatically cured of their habits. Addressing these issues forthrightly and from a biblical perspective, Melinda Fish offers a Christian approach to overcoming many kinds of addictions, including food, alcohol, money, shopping, pornography, work, sex, illegal and prescription drugs, and unhealthy relationships" (Campusi.com). Back to TopInside Out - Larry Crabb "If you want a more vital union with God, a richer relationship with others, and a deeper sense of wholeness, psychologist Larry Crabb helps you look inside yourself, holding out the promise of real change when you live from the inside out" (Life Way Stores.com). Just Enough Light For the Step I'm On (Learning to Trust Again: A Young Woman's Journey to Healing from Sexual Abuse) - Stormie Omartian "The bestselling author of 'The Power of a Praying Parent' helps readers follow God in simple faith and quiets their anxieties about what the future may bring" (Life Way Store.com). Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires, the Respect He Desperately Needs - Emerson Eggerichs Love is a Choice:
Breaking the Cycle of Addictive Relationships - Robert Hemfelt, Frank Minirth,
& Paul Meie Making Love Last Forever - Gary Smalley " My Utmost for His Highest - Oswald Chambers "Cherished for generations as the world's devotional classic, this book is unsurpassed in devotional excellence, offering a powerful message of hope to those seeking daily encouragement and for those who walk in the shadows of difficulty" (Life Way Stores.com) Back to TopPraying God's Word - Beth Moore "First war, then peace! This topical prayer guide reveals 14 strongholds, with overcoming testimonies, personal pages for journaling and Scripture presented in prayer form to brandish as weapons of war, flattening every Jericho wall" (Living the Solution.com). Praying Through Life's Problems - Leslie Verrick "God created women with profound capacity to feel love, hope . . . and hurt. But sometimes trials, fears, and sadness threaten to overwhelm you. Filled with transforming insight from respected Christian communicators, this resource will help you gain a fresh perspective on pain---and confidence to approach God with your struggles" (Christianbook.com). Redeeming Love - Francine Rivers "In this splendid retelling of the biblical story of Hosea, bestselling author Francine Rivers pens a heartbreaking romance between a prostitute and the upright and kind farmer who marries her; the story also functions as a reminder of God's unconditional love for his people. Redeeming Love opens with the Gold Rush of 1850 and its rough-and-tumble atmosphere of greed and desire. Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child, has learned to distrust all men, who see her only as a way to satisfy their lust. When the virtuous and spiritual-minded Michael Hosea is told by God to marry this 'soiled dove,' he obeys, despite his misgivings. As Angel learns to love him, she begins to hope again but is soon overwhelmed by fear and returns to her old life. Rivers shines in her ability to weave together spiritual themes and sexual tension in a well-told story, a talent that has propelled her into the spotlight as one of the most popular novelists in the genre of Christian fiction" (Amazon.com). Back to TopReleased From Bondage - Neil Anderson "Bestselling author Dr. Neil Anderson presents life-transforming guidance for anyone seeking freedom from destructive personal or spiritual conflicts. Real-life survivors step forward to tell how they broke free from emotional, mental, and spiritual captivity, finding hope and joy in Christ. Learn how victims survived harsh realities such as childhood abuse, compulsive thoughts and behaviors, eating disorders, sexual disorders and depression. Each unforgettable and true story will help you in your own struggle" (Campusi.com). Ruthless Trust - Brennan Manning "We are made for the love of God, and nothing less will ever satisfy us. In his acclaimed bestseller The Ragamuffin Gospel, Brennan Manning showed us the powerful truth that the divine gift of love is ever present for us regardless of the state of our lives. Now in this challenging sequel, he turns to our primary obstacle to living fully within this divine love--the lace of 'ruthless trust'" (Campusi.com). Safe People: How to find Relationships that are Good for You and Avoid Those that aren't. - Cloud & Townsend "This team of psychologists shows how to identify 'safe people' with whom healthy, lasting relationships can be built" (LifeWay Stores.com). Back to TopSecrets of the Vine - Bruce Wilkinson "In this powerful follow-up to his bestseller The Prayer of Jabez, Dr. Bruce Wilkinson explores John 15 to show readers how to make maximum impact for God. Dr. Wilkinson demonstrates how Jesus is the Vine of life, discusses four levels of 'fruit bearing' (doing the good work of God), and reveals three life-changing truths that will lead readers to new joy and effectiveness in His kingdom. Secrets of the Vine opens readers' eyes to the Lord's hand in their lives and uncovers surprising insights that will point them to a new path of consequence for God's glory." (The Breakthrough Series) Back to TopThe Bondage Breaker -
"Learn about Satan's plans to ruin your Christian life, and discover practical and effective ways to fight back. Understand what 'spiritual conflict' means, and how you are involved. Best of all, experience the freedom God wants you to have in your life" (Religious Supplies.com). The Dream Giver - Bruce Wilkinson "Bruce Wilkinson shows how to identify and overcome the obstacles that keep millions from living the life they were created for. He begins with a compelling modern-day parable about Ordinary, who dares to leave the Land of Familiar to pursue his Big Dream. With the help of the Dream Giver, Ordinary begins the hardest and most rewarding journey of his life. Wilkinson gives readers practical, biblical keys to fulfilling their own dream, revealing that there's no limit to what God can accomplish when we choose to pursue the dreams He gives us for His honor." (The Breakthrough Series) The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman "Ever feel like you and your spouse are speaking two different languages? This remarkable book has impacted the lives of millions searching for a way to express their love--and now it can help you too! Best-selling author Gary Chapman helps you identify and learn to speak your spouse's unique love language" (LifeWay Stores.com). The Five Love Languages of Children - Gary Chapman "According to the authors, each child expresses and receives love through one of five different communication styles. A parent's love language may be totally different from that of his or her child, which causes hurt feelings and misunderstandings. With the help of this book, adults can discover their child's primary language and learn what they can do to effectively convey unconditional feelings of respect, affection, and commitment that will resonate in their child's emotions and behavior" (LifeWay Stores.com). The Five Love Languages of Teenagers - Gary Chapman "At no other time have parents, teachers, and mentors been more desperate to find proven ways to reach teens. Best-selling author Gary Chapman presents The Five Love Languages of Teenagers -- practical guidance on how to discover and express the teen's primary love language. A resource for stemming today's tide of violence, immorality, and despair" (LifeWay Stores.com). Back to TopThe Power of a Praying Husband - Stormie Omartian "Building on the tremendous response to 'The Power of a Praying Wife', the bestselling author now offers this guide to help husbands pray for the most important people in their lives: their wives. Each of the 30 short, easy-to-read chapters gives practical guidance on how a husband can lovingly intercede in every area of his wife's life" (Life Way Store.com). The Power of a Praying Parent - Stormie Omartian "Parents often feel that much of what happens in their children's lives is beyond their control. But a child's life shouldn't be left up to chance when parents can turn to the expert parent of all time--the heavenly Father--for help. As Stormie explains, it's not being a 'perfect parent' that matters, it's being a praying parent that makes the difference" (LifeWay Stores.com). The Power of a Praying Wife - Stormie Omartian "Today's challenges and pressures can make a fulfilling marriage seem like an impossible dream. Stormie Omartian shares how God has strengthened her own marriage since she began to pray for her husband concerning key areas of his life" (LifeWay Stores.com). The Power of a Praying Woman - Stormie Omartian "Using her deep knowledge of Scripture and candid examples of her own struggles and epiphanies in prayer, Omartian provides reassuring guidance for women who seek a greater sense of God's presence in their lives, and helps them discover how to trust God, maintain a right heart before God, and rebuild a faltering prayer life" (LifeWay Stores.com). The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life - Bruce Wilkinson "Are you ready to reach for the extraordinary? To ask God for the abundant blessings He longs to give you? Join Bruce Wilkinson to discover how the remarkable prayer of a little-known Bible hero can release God's favor, power and protection. You'll see how one daily prayer can help you leave the past behind - and break through to the life you were meant to live" (Bruce Wilkinson). Back to TopThe Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth am I here for? - Rick Warren "The purpose of your life is greater than your own personal fulfillment, your career, or even your happiness. To know why you exist, you must first know the One who created you and the five purposes for which you were created. Written in a captivating devotional style, The Purpose-Driven Life features 40 short, life-changing chapters that reveal God's purpose for your life. Make the rest of your life the best of your life and start right now. You were... (1) planned for God's pleasure (Worship), (2) formed for God's family (Fellowship), (3) created to become like Christ (Discipleship), (4)shaped for serving God (Ministry), and (5) made for a mission (Evangelism)" (Purpose Driven Life). The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God - Brent Curtis & John Eldredge "In the heart of every person lies an inconsolable longing. Men often know it as the hunger for adventure. Women tend to feel it as a thirst for intimacy. This longing is the secret of our lives. It tells us who we are, what our life was meant to be. If you have ever felt those deep yearnings, we have some really good news: this is what the Gospel truly offers. Life is more than chores and Christianity is more than duty. It is a Sacred Romance®, a great love story set in the midst of a life and death battle" (Randsome Heart Ministries). Tired of Trying to Measure Up - Jeff VanVonderen "Written to point the way to freedom for Christians who live under an unwritten religious code of expectations and rules that shame them and drain them of spiritual strength" (LifeWay Stores.com). When Forgiveness Doesn't Make Sense - Robert Jeffress "Why Do We Have Difficulty Accepting God's Unconditional Forgiveness? And Why Do We Find It So Impossible to Grant That Same Forgiveness to Others? The bottom-line issue of life is forgiveness -- that's the conclusion of Dr. Robert Jeffress after more than two decades in Christian ministry, and most of us would agree. Yet few of us have mastered the art of implementing forgiveness in our lives. Combining rich, biblical insights with practical, real-life situations, When Forgiveness Doesn't Make Sense effectively answers your questions" (Campusi.com). When God Doesn't Make Sense - James Dobson "When God Doesn't Make Sense is addressed lovingly to those who have been left confused and disillusioned by life's difficulties. It is intended to nurture the faith of the wounded and downhearted, and to prevent disillusionment in those who have not fallen into the clutches of despair" (LifeWay Stores.com). When I'm on my Knees - Anita Corrine Donihue "'When I'm On My Knees' is a compilation of prayers from a woman's point of view, prayers that emanate from the heart, prayers that deal with the fear of starting over, friendship and family, and peace. Packaged in an attractive leatherette cover, the book also includes hymns, poems, and anecdotes that focus on prayer" (LifeWay Stores.com). Woman Thou Art Loosed - T.D. Jakes "This book offers healing to hurting single mothers, insecure women, and battered wives--and hope to abused girls and women in crisis. Hurting women around the nation--and those who minister to them--are devouring the compassionate truths in Bishop T.D. Jakes' Woman Thou Art Loosed!" (LifeWayStores.com) Back to Top |

