In this chapter the authors make the case that the gospel word and the gospel community are the best starting places for providing pastoral care to people suffering from depression and other mental disorders, stating that "there is no better place to start than with the word of God skillfully applied by the Spirit of God among the people of God" (128).

As one who occasionally suffers with boughts of depression, I can say with experience that my greatest comfort has come from prayerfully reflecting on the word of God and from others, particularly my wife, encouraging me and exhorting me with the word of God. It seems that in my particular case, depression arises when I focus on the circumstances surrounding my life, my environment, or my job, and when I take my eyes off of the sovereignty of God. 

One passage of scripture that has been helpful for me to meditate on in times of depression and "forgetfulness" is Isaiah 6. Isaiah sees a majestic vision of the holiness and sovereignty of God. Isaiah's vision of God brings conviction of his own sinfulness. God mercifully reaches out to Isaiah, cleansing him of his sin.

Isaiah rightfully views God as his sovereign king, who has the right to do with his life whatever God desires. He lays his life before God, volunteering to serve God in whatever capacity God sees fit. Isaiah responds to God before being given a "job description." Isaiah is given a very difficult calling, to preach a message of repentance to his kinsmen knowing that God is going to deafen their ears and harden their hearts. In response to God's calling, Isaiah cries out with more than a hint of discouragement in his voice, "How long oh Lord?" God responds essentially saying until I have brought total destruction upon your people. The rest of the book of Isaiah demonstrates that the prophet was faithful to carry out the difficult task put before him.

I often ask myself, "How was Isaiah able to persevere in preaching to a people that he knew would not respond to his message of repentance." I imagine that Isaiah repeatedly returned to the vision that God had given him of his sovereignty, majesty, beauty and holiness. Isaiah preached, knowing that he was pleasing his sovereign despite the apparent "fruitlessness" of his ministry. This picture of God's sovereignty provides a good corrective to our pragmatic culture that values successful outcomes over perseverance and faithfulness, and a great personal reminder that God has called me to minister to him faithfully despite what I see with my eyes or feel in my heart.