When Mountains Will Not Move
It’s hard to find good books on mental illness. There are secular ones, which don’t take into account how our faith plays a role in our struggles. Turn down the Christian aisle, and you will find hordes of them—but don’t be mistaken; a Christian author and publisher does not mean the book will be good. Some Christian books on mental illness offer helpful, practical tools for staying afloat; but the theology is worse than the secular books.
Meanwhile, another group of Christian books on mental illness discard all of what science and psychology have to say about mental health and proceed to convict believers that their mental illness is merely a sin and that they can be free of it if they only prayed harder, had stronger faith, or would finally kill that “sin.”
A few months ago, I chatted with my friend Jennifer Holmes about this dilemma, and I said she should write a book with the right theology and a professionally-trained view of mental illness. She replied, “There may be something in the works.” And now I’m holding all three of her lovely books!
Along with being trained in counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary, Jen intimately understands what it’s like to be battered by the waves of mental illness. After years of struggling with depression, she was diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder and suddenly had to navigate the world of doctors, counselors, and confusion. Equipped with this knowledge, she brings theologically sound care and encouragement to those facing this mental suffering.
He Has Not Turned Away
In her first book, He Has Not Turned Away, Jen walks her readers through ninety days in the Psalms, reminding them of the hope of God’s promises in eternal life, his unrelenting love and presence here on earth, and how to lament and pray to God through the darkness. She comes alongside believers who have been traumatized or abandoned by others, those who feel as if they can’t live another day, and those who wonder how they will get out of bed. Jen comforts the anxious and turns those caught in the shadows back towards the light with hope and gentleness.
When you’re in the midst of a dark season of mental illness, reading may feel like another impossible task; your brain can’t focus, and all you want to do is sleep. Yet Jen keeps each devotional to less than a page, making this book easy to consume. Along with this devotional, Jen created a journal to accompany it where you can record your thoughts and track your mood. Paired together, these books are a great tool for the Christian counselor or to give to a friend who is suffering from mental anguish.
When Mountains Don’t Move
Some people experience complete healing from their anxiety, depression, or mental illness. Others (like myself and Jen) do not. When the storm continues to press against us, we can begin to doubt God’s love or wonder that perhaps it truly is all our fault.
In her third book, When Mountains Don’t Move, Jen pairs her compassionate encouragement for those battling mental illness with stunning pictures of the mountains and scenery from her home. As she encourages believers whose mountain of mental illness hasn’t been pummeled or thrown into the sea, she directs their gaze to the beauty of God’s creation, which testifies to his power and faithfulness, and of the beauty and rest that is to come.
This book can likewise be read in short sittings, and is full of Scripture. Throughout, Jen challenges false narratives that are whispered in the church about mental illness, such as it being rooted in sin and that it shows a sign of immaturity. She also attacks the prosperity gospel (and other less obvious versions of it) that says that with enough faith and obedience we can move the mountain that is our mental illness.
Overall, I truly loved these short yet beautiful and encouraging books, and I would put them in the hands of any loved one struggling with mental illness. I hope your eyes can be lifted to the hope of the gospel through these devotionals.
