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.
I couldn't point to any reason why it came on. I used to dig really hard and go, "You know, you're not reading your Bible as much, you're not doing this or that, you're not keeping your thoughts captive"—but it wasn't any of that. It was just, all of the sudden, this black hole opens up and everything is dark. It's like a perception problem.
About the Podcast
The Hope + Help Project podcast offers compassionate biblical conversations about life's challenging problems. The podcast accomplishes this by offering a mix of interviews with seasoned biblical counseling professionals and ministry leaders on a variety of topics. Listeners can expect to receive biblical wisdom as well as practical steps for facing suffering, struggling and sin with courage and grace. Hosted by author/writer Christine M. Chappell.
About the Guest
Erick Cobb is an equine veterinarian and one of the founding elder/pastors of Covenant Grace Church Menifee. Erick and his wife Natasha have three kids, two cats, and two tortoises.
Note from Christine: Erick was one of my Pastors when I lived in California, and played a key role not only in my discipleship and growth as a new Christian, but also in offering counsel when I was walking through depression myself. In fact, it was through Erick that I met Dr. Jim Newheiser and became familiar with the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship. As you may know, I subsequently gained an interest in becoming a certified biblical counselor as a result, and thus the ministry God has granted me today.
Note from Christine: Erick was one of my Pastors when I lived in California, and played a key role not only in my discipleship and growth as a new Christian, but also in offering counsel when I was walking through depression myself. In fact, it was through Erick that I met Dr. Jim Newheiser and became familiar with the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship. As you may know, I subsequently gained an interest in becoming a certified biblical counselor as a result, and thus the ministry God has granted me today.
Dr. Jim Newheiser & Erick Cobb
Helpful Sermons from Erick on Depression
Elijah & Causeless Sorrow
Have you experienced a sadness that doesn't make sense, a causeless sorrow? Elijah did. From him we learn that depression is a perception problem. It only tells half the story. It makes us feel alone, and it tells us the darkness will never end. But more importantly, how did God meet Elijah in his darkness? Be encouraged and listen to this message preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on July 29, 2018.
About Your Host
Christine M. Chappell
Writer & Podcast Host
Christine Chappell is the author of Clean Home, Messy Heart and is the host of The Hope + Help Project podcast. She writes frequently about depression, sorrow, grief, and motherhood at her blog, has completed biblical counseling certificates with the Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship, and is currently pursuing certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. Christine's writing has been featured at Desiring God, The Gospel Coalition, Risen Motherhood, Servants of Grace, Thrive Moms, Devotable, and For Every Mom.
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