Depression

Video: Lament in Counseling Care

How do we walk with people through suffering without minimizing their pain or misrepresenting God? This webinar recording explores how biblical lament equips us to care well for hurting people—honestly, faithfully, and with Christ-centered hope.
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2 months ago

God is My Portion: Realistic Contentment in Anxiety & Depression Video

For sufferers of anxiety or depression, talk of contentment may seem unrealistic (or even offensive.) What woman is happy about feeling stuck in emotional instability? How can she be settled and satisfied with such life-disrupting inner turmoil? In this live recording from the 2025 Reformed & Renewed Women's Conference, Christine candidly explores Psalm 73 and offers a fresh perspective on what realistic contentment can look like in the midst of emotional hardships.
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9 months ago

FamilyLife Today Interview with Mark Vroegop and Dave & Ann Wilson

In this powerful FamilyLife Today episode, hosts Dave and Ann Wilson sit down with pastor and author Mark Vroegop and biblical counselor Christine Chappell to explore the biblical practice of lament. Discover how lament is more than just complaint – it’s a prayer language that moves you towards deeper trust in God, even in the midst of profound sorrow. Mark and Christine share insights from their own experiences and ministries, emphasizing the importance of a “theology of sorrow” and why sadness is a valid, even necessary, response to life’s brokenness.
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10 months ago

FamilyLife Today Interview with Dave & Ann Wilson

"What does it look like to follow God when the weight of life feels unbearable? In this deeply personal and hope-filled conversation, Christine Chappell shares her journey through depression—not around it—and how the Lord met her not with pressure to “get better,” but with presence. If you or someone you love is struggling to see a way forward, this episode offers honesty, grace, and a steady hand to hold."
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11 months ago

Battle the Blues: Stirring Words Podcast

I recently joined Judi Ulrey of the Stirring Words Podcast to talk about emotional distress and body stewardship. During this conversation, we discuss the crucifixion of Christ and his decision to face his suffering sober-minded, Elijah's willingness to accept physical nourishment and rest as a act of willful submission, the temptation to turn to false refuges for comfort/relief in the midst of emotional distress, and much more!
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1 year ago

Finding Hope in the Middle of Depression: Great Stories Podcast

"On today's episode of the Great Stories Podcast, David Wollen talks with Christine Chappell. She’s an author, a biblical counselor, and a podcaster, and a mother. On this episode, Christine shares her story and what she learned about how Jesus draws near to those who are struggling with depression."
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2 years ago

Depression and Motherhood: Parenting with Ginger Hubbard Podcast

"Are you a mom struggling with feelings of hopelessness and anxiety? Would you like biblical guidance and practical help for battling depression from someone who’s been there and understands? Join Ginger Hubbard and Katy Morgan, along with special guest Christine Chappell, as they discuss how we can abide in Christ and lean on him to sustain us through seasons of darkness."
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2 years ago

When All You Want is “Better”: Video Workshop

Do you know what it’s like to be depressed and want nothing more than to feel better again? Normal? Happy? Alive, even? Join Christine as she explores the painful reality of our present circumstances and the deferred hope that stems from changes we sorely want but don't yet have.
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2 years ago

Free Resources for Depressed Moms

This post contains articles, audios, videos, and downloads which were published during the launch of Midnight Mercies. All of these resources are free to access and available to freely share.
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2 years ago

4 Ways to Help a Depressed Mom

Surely somewhere in your close proximity, there’s a mother suffering from depression. As she attempts to beat back the darkness, you wonder how you can care for her. As featured at The Gospel Coalition.
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3 years ago

Depression in Motherhood: Help & Hope Podcast Interview

In this conversation, Sharon Betters talks with Christine Chappell about the different emotional facets of the experience of depression, practical steps we can take in battling depression, and suggestions for how friends can come alongside a hurting friend.
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3 years ago

Top 5 Friday: Christian Books on Depression

In this broadcast, I share my top 5 favorite books that approach the experience of depression from a biblical perspective, explaining HOW they've ministered to me in the past, WHY I think they're helpful, WHO to recommend them to, and WHEN (hint: wise timing is both compassionate and important!)
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5 years ago

Hope + Help for Bipolar Disorder with Dr. Charles Hodges

In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, Christine Chappell interviews Dr. Charles Hodges about his book, Good Mood, Bad Mood: Help and Hope for Depression and Bipolar Disorder. During the conversation, Dr. Hodges summarizes the current diagnostic criteria for depression and bipolar disorder, and describes the differences between "normal" and "disordered" sadness. He also explains why recent scientific findings pertaining to brain plasticity offer hope to those labeled with mood disorders and suggests why over-identifying with a psychological diagnosis can stunt spiritual growth. Lastly, Dr. Hodges highlights the importance of setting God-oriented goals with counselees labeled with bipolar disorder, and offers words of encouragement for sufferers feeling hopeless for meaningful life change.
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6 years ago

8 Truths to Remember in the Midst of Sadness

The card references 8 common lies we may find ourselves listening to as we walk through seasons of sorrows, and pits them against eternal biblical truths. By providing a wealth of key Scripture references, Dr. Newheiser reminds the sorrowing to look to their identity in Christ and God's unchanging character as a means of sustaining grace.
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7 years ago

When Depression Feels Safe

It's possible to grow so accustomed to living in melancholia that it becomes a default countenance—a cave to retreat to when the pains of life feel too heavy to bear. While this reflex doesn't necessarily encumber all experiences of despondency, the solemn truth is that those who suffer from chronic sorrow run the risk of turning shadows into a refuge.
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7 years ago

Making Church a Safe Place for Sorrow

While Revelation 21 specifically lists death, mourning, crying, and pain as fundamental grievances believers will face, there's a shocking lack of corporate preparation to meet with such sorrows. Removing the stigma of deeply painful sadness requires the local church’s unhurried commitment to making room for it on Sunday mornings and a desire to equip leaders in one-another care.
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7 years ago

When We Hit Rock Bottom: Waiting on God in Sad Seasons

Psalm 126 is a song of hope for those held captive by present sorrows and dire affliction. It encourages those who walk with weighted steps to wait expectantly for their God. There is a special promise for those who shed tears in desperate places—the sorrow will not endure forever. God will restore us once more, and our joy will be made all the greater for having endured the tribulation by faith. When rock bottom feels like the end of us, we can trust that Christ will hold us fast—for “with him is plentiful redemption” (Psalm 130:7).
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7 years ago

Beware of Taking Your Sorrows to Alcohol Before God

Drinking to drown our sorrows, contrary to the chart-topping songs, is a dangerous—potentially deadly—way to respond to seasons of excessive sadness. Alcohol won’t lay its life down for us, but it can demand we lay down our life for it.
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7 years ago

Hope + Help for Mysterious Depression with Erick Cobb

In this episode of The Hope + Help Project, Christine Chappell interviews Pastor Erick Cobb about the Christian's experience of seemingly causeless depression. Erick shares about his personal encounters with despondency, describing some of its mysterious components, and how the Scriptures normalize our seasons of dread and darkness. He also talks about the redemptive benefits that can result from walking through depression, highlights the importance of biblical metaphor in comforting the despondent Christian, and suggests practical physical and spiritual sustaining graces for enduring the dark.
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7 years ago

Four Sustaining Graces for Seasons of Depression

It’s true, the experience of depression is exhausting—both physically and spiritually. We find ourselves desperately feeling around for a light switch that we may finally land our fingers on a toggle. But alas, there are no quick remedies for instantly illuminating our gloom—no switch to flip, no immediate assuage of our pain. Yet, while depression is a season where our capabilities may be diminished, there are small sustaining graces to partake of which can carry us along while we wait.
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7 years ago

Examining the Dark: What to Do When Depression Lifts

Depression demands to be heard—to have a voice. Ed Welch writes, “There are times when depression is saying something and we must listen.” If we don’t take notice of the dirges despondency sings, we fail to capitalize on an important catalyst for spiritual growth.
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7 years ago

Hope + Help for the Depressed Ministry Leader with Terry Powell

In this episode of The Hope + Help Project, Christine Chappell interviews author/teacher Terry Powell on the subject of handling depression in ministry. Terry shares pieces of his life-long battle against depression with vulnerable humility, giving us a picture of God's sustaining grace for those involved in leadership positions. He offers thoughts about combatting negative self-talk, and answers the question, "Is depression a hinderance or a help to fruitful ministry?" The episode also explores the issue of suicide in pastoral ministry, and whether or not the concept of victorious Christian living can be reconciled with the believer's experience of depression.
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7 years ago

Our Need is God’s Design

When someone is struggling or suffering, they can sometimes be hesitant to reach out for help. But what does the Bible have to say about our neediness? Is it a character flaw or sin? This article explores some of the ways we view neediness as annoying or inconvenient, and how God's design for his people and community go against the grain of trending cultural norms.
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7 years ago

Wretched Extremes: The ‘Always’ and ‘Never’ of Suicide

Extremes of wretchedness. Charles Spurgeon once said, “I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to.” Suicidal ideations often begin in the crosshairs of extremes, where always and never intersect. The wretched “always be this way” and […]
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8 years ago