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When The Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait For God--and Joy

"It is utterly crucial that in our darkness we affirm the wise, strong hand of God to hold us, even when we have no strength to hold him." John Piper Even the most faithful, focused Christians can encounter periods of depression and spiritual darkness when joy seems to stay just out of reach. It can happen because of sin, satanic assault, distressing circumstances, or hereditary and other physical causes. In When the Darkness Will Not Lift, John Piper aims to give some comfort and guidance to those experiencing spiritual darkness. Readers will gain insight into the physical side of depression and spiritual darkness, what it means to wait on the Lord in a time of darkness, how unconfessed sin can clog our joy, and how to minister to others who are living without light. Piper uses real-life examples and sensitive narrative to show readers abundant reason to hope that God will pull them out of the pit of despair and into the light once again.

Paperback: 80 pages

Publisher: Crossway (December 14, 2006)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1581348762

ISBN-13: 978-1581348767

Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.2 x 8.4 inches

Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (80 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #49,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #51 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living > Death & Grief #69 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Depression #93 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living > Faith

When the Darkness Will Not Lift is a short (79 pp.) book written to encourage those Christians who are dealing with spiritual melancholy (depression). John Piper writes, "My aim is to give some guidance and hope to those for whom joy seems to stay out of reach." (p.12) Piper also writes to instruct believers as to how to help those who are encountering times of spiritual darkness.By Piper's own admission this book is not intended to fully treat such a subject. I think this quote should be considered before anyone jumps all over Piper for not `dotting all his I's" This book began as the final chapter of a larger book titled When I Don't Desire God: How to Fight for Joy. I hope that if this small book proves helpful, readers will consider what is in the larger one. There are crucial foundations in that larger book which are not included here." (p. 13)In "treating" despair Piper advises that we "start with despair. Despair of finding any answer in yourself. I pray that you will cease from all efforts to look inside yourself for the rescue you need. I pray that you will do what only desperate people can do, namely, cast yourself on Christ." (p.21)There are great practical exhortations throughout the book for those in despair or not, but particularly for those who are afflicted. In the following chapters Piper reminds us that We are not alone, a reminder of the prevailing faithfulness and power of God; Fold not the Arms of Action, a call to constantly be thankful and offering praise so as to produce joy; Does Unconfessed Sin Clog Our Joy?

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