Piper wrote a powerful book on Spiritual Depression himself. In the introduction he recommends a list of other books on the same subject as follows:
The needs of embattled people who fight for joy will always be as diverse as the people themselves. So I content myself with rowing out into this sea as far as my limits allow, and I pray that you will search out some of these great old books and go farther in your quest for joy than I am able to take you here
Piper, J. (2006) When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God—And Joy. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, p. 12. Available Online and in Logos Bible Software
Other books which might be of interest include my logos collection on suffering, grief and depression (which has a lot of overlap with Piper’s list) as well as a list of the Top 20 books on Suffering Here are the books Piper recommends with links to the internet and Logos versions where available.
Are there any other books we should have included?
Help When Life Hurts
This article is part of a growing collection, drawing from Adrian Warnock’s medical and psychological expertise, lived experience, and Christian faith.
Click the type of pain you or a loved one are experiencing right now
General suffering & disappointment
Financial difficulties
Feeling disqualified
Chronic illness & disability
Divorce & family pain
Depression & mental health
Bereavement & end-of-life
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# |
Book |
Publisher/ Web |
Logos |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Willem Teellinck, The Path of True Godliness, trans. Annemie Godbehere, ed. Joel R. Beeke (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003 reprint) |
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|
2 |
Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed (1630; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1998) |
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3 |
William Bridge, A Lifting Up for the Downcast (1649; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1979) |
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|
4 |
Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment (1648; repr. Banner of Truth, 1979) |
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|
5 |
John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation (Wheaton: Crossway, 2006) |
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6 |
John Owen, Communion with God (1657; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1992) |
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7 |
Richard Baxter, “The Cure of Melancholy and Overmuch Sorrow by Faith and Physic,” in Puritan Sermons 1659–1689, vol. 3, ed. Samuel Annesley (Wheaton: Richard Owen Roberts, 1981) |
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|
8 |
Walter Marshall, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification (1692; repr. Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 1999) |
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9 |
Henry Scougal, The Life of God in the Soul of Man (1739; repr. Ross-shire: Christian Focus, 1996) |
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10 |
Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections (1746; repr. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1986) |
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11 |
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1965) |
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12 |
Gaius Davies, Genius, Grief and Grace: A Doctor Looks at Suffering and Success(Ross-shire: Christian Focus, 2001) |
— (no Logos edition) |
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|
13 |
J. I. Packer, Faithfulness and Holiness: The Witness of J. C. Ryle (Wheaton: Crossway, 2002) |
— (no Logos edition) |
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