A Gospel Companion for Mothers Battling Depression

In Midnight Mercies, Christine Chappell shares her own journey through depression and motherhood while guiding readers through Scripture to discover God’s sustaining mercy in the darkest seasons.

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When Motherhood Feels Overwhelming

Motherhood is often described as joyful and fulfilling. But for some mothers, the experience is far more complicated.

Depression can make everyday responsibilities feel impossible. It can cloud your thoughts, drain your energy, and leave you wondering why something that should bring joy instead feels so heavy.

Many Christian mothers silently carry this burden while feeling ashamed that their faith doesn’t seem to lift the darkness.

If this is your experience, you are not alone.

Midnight Mercies was written to offer compassionate, biblical hope for mothers walking through the valley of depression.

About the Book

In Midnight Mercies: Walking with God through Depression in Motherhood, Christine M. Chappell invites readers into an honest exploration of faith, suffering, and hope.

Drawing from her own journey through depression and motherhood, Christine reflects on Scripture and shares practical guidance for navigating the emotional and spiritual challenges that depression brings.

Rather than offering quick fixes, Midnight Mercies gently walks alongside readers, pointing them again and again to the sustaining mercy of God.

What You'll Find Inside

Honest reflections on depression and motherhood.

Biblical encouragement rooted in God’s Word.

Gentle guidance for processing suffering with faith.

Reflection questions at the end of each chapter.

Practical next steps for seeking help and hope.

From One Mother to Another

Christine M. Chappell writes not only as a biblical counselor but also as a mother who has personally walked through depression. Through honest storytelling and careful reflection on Scripture, she invites readers into a conversation about suffering that is both compassionate and deeply rooted in the hope of the gospel. Her goal is not to minimize pain, but to help mothers discover that God meets them even in the darkest nights.

About Christine

Endorsements

Midnight Mercies is a must-read for moms who are struggling with depression...

Vaneetha Risner

Author, Walking through Fire

Overflowing with hope and grace, this book is a treasure chest of helpful transparency and biblical wisdom...

Paul Tautges

Pastor; Counselor; Author, Anxiety: Knowing God's Peace

Chappell reminds us that while our pain is real, so is our hope, and we can trust the God who walks with us...

Katie Faris

Author, God Is Still Good

Midnight Mercies is a beacon of hope and help for anyone who longs for solace amid the shadows of depression...

Rush Witt

Lead Pastor, Paramount Church, Bexley, Ohio; Author, I Want to Escape

...unflinchingly confronts some of the hardest realities of living in a fallen world and unfailingly points to our assurance in Christ..."

Kathryn Butler

Author, Glimmers of Grace

Order Your Copy of Midnight Mercies Today

If you are a mother walking through depression—or if you want to better understand and support someone who is—Midnight Mercies offers biblical encouragement and compassionate guidance.

P&R Publishing

amazon.com

BiblicalCounselingBooks.com

ChristianBook.com

Logos Bible Software

Westminster Bookstore

FamilyLife Today Interview with Mark Vroegop and Dave & Ann Wilson

August 19, 2025

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.

FamilyLife Today Interview with Dave & Ann Wilson

July 24, 2025

"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."

What it Means to Be God’s Beloved: Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit Session

June 10, 2025

How can we reconcile the labels we collect through life with the titles God gives us in Christ? Does our affliction mean that we've lost God's affection? In this live video recording, Christine explores the nature of our God-given status as beloved children of God and applies these reassuring realities to our experiences of depression.

Video: Help for Depression in Motherhood Webinar Training

April 7, 2025

During this video recording, I briefly explore biblical insights regarding the experience of depression in motherhood and offer four key components to consider when entering into and engaging with a mother's story.

WTS Books Winter Clearance Sale

February 10, 2025

Westminster Bookstore has announced a huge discount on my book, Midnight Mercies, for their winter clearance sale. Snag copies for less than $8 each—while supplies last!

Rethinking Nostalgic Postpartum Advice

January 26, 2025

Nostalgic postpartum advice is certainly permissible, though it’s not always beneficial or edifying (1 Cor. 10:23). But when we take care to know a mother’s world before speaking to it, we can help her feel seen and understood. We can better encourage and build her up in Christ—whether she’s enjoying the season or not (1 Thess. 5:11).

Depression in Motherhood: These Go to 11 Podcast

January 22, 2025

Gospel Rest for Downcast Moms: 2024 CCEF Conference Audio

October 8, 2024

Audio recordings from the 2024 CCEF National Conference are now available for purchase! Get access to my session, "Mercy in Darkness: Gospel Rest for Downcast Moms," and explore the care and compassion of Christ for mothers who are walking through depression.

A Dios no le sorprende tu depresión posparto

September 24, 2024

Cuando te sientas invadida por el dolor de la maternidad, es bueno recordar que Dios te ve y te rodea. Hay recordatorios muy necesarios sobre esta realidad en el Salmo 139. Mientras el escritor se maravilla ante la omnisciencia y omnipresencia de Dios, podemos ver por lo menos tres aplicaciones relevantes a la experiencia de la depresión posparto.

4 maneras de ayudar a una mamá deprimida

July 22, 2024

Con un estimado de 800,000 madres en los EE. UU. diagnosticadas con un trastorno de salud mental materna cada año, y con una gran mayoría de ellas sin posibilidades de obtener ayuda profesional, el cuerpo de Cristo no puede quedarse de brazos cruzados. Incluso como laico, puedes ofrecer a una madre deprimida el cuidado necesario e irremplazable en Cristo.

Finding Hope in the Middle of Depression: Great Stories Podcast

June 10, 2024

"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."

3 palabras de ánimo para madres deprimidas

May 29, 2024

Si le preguntara a una madre que lucha contra la depresión: "¿Cuánto tiempo más te sentirás tan mal?", su respuesta probablemente no sería “Sólo una o dos horas más. ¡Ya casi termino!” La depresión no funciona de esa manera. Los estados de ánimo melancólicos no suelen desaparecer. Las soluciones rápidas tienden a quedarse cortas cuando el dolor nos quita las fuerzas; los clichés bien intencionados generalmente tampoco dan en el blanco (Prov. 17:22; 25:20). Y cuando las supuestas palabras de ánimo empiezan a oírse más como regaños pasivos, puede parecer que nadie tiene nada útil que decir, como si tuviéramos que valernos por nosotros mismos en esta oscuridad.

His Mercies Are More: Haven Today Broadcasts

May 27, 2024

Laundry. Meals. Crying children. Motherhood is busy. But if dark clouds of depression roll in, the weight can start to feel unbearable. Where do you turn? All week on Haven Today, David Wollen will be joined by author and mother, Christine Chappell, for a series called His Mercies are More.

Spending a Week in a Psych Ward: Chats Under the Sun

May 9, 2024

The truth is I've sat on this interview since it came out in December 2023. By far, it's the most vulnerable conversation I've had with regards to the hospitalization I recount in Midnight Mercies as well as in my minibook, Help! I've Been Diagnosed with a Mental Disorder. I suppose I’ve gotten somewhat accustomed to sharing my story, but this interview probed the kinds of specifics I don’t typically rehearse—details which flung me back to a time and a place I prefer to keep out of.

Depression and Motherhood: Parenting with Ginger Hubbard Podcast

March 26, 2024

"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."

Help When Depression Overwhelms You as a Mom: Counseling Conversations

March 1, 2024

Recently I had the chance to talk with Alex Kocher and Brenda Payne of Known Ministries for their podcast, Conversational Counseling.

The Soul Care Podcast Interview

January 31, 2024

Recently I had the chance to talk with Dr. Warren Lamb, Jinda Reinig, and Kimberly Willess on their new show, The Soul Care Podcast.

Free Resources for Depressed Moms

January 5, 2024

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.

Mercy for Depressed Moms: How God Met Me in Crisis

December 8, 2023

Jesus wasn’t the one insisting that I pull myself out of the pit. He was the one calling me to take refuge in him as he walked me through the dark.

Midnight Mercies: BCC Podcast Interview

December 4, 2023

I recently had the opportunity to join Curtis Solomon on the Biblical Counseling Coalition's 15:14 Podcast to talk about my book, Midnight Mercies: Walking with God through Depression in Motherhood.

The Trial of Depression in Motherhood: His People Radio Interview

November 15, 2023

I recently had the opportunity to join Bill Feltner on his radio program, His People, to talk about the trial of depression in motherhood.

Broken by Depression: Broken Vessels Podcast Interview

November 6, 2023

I recently had the opportunity to join Joshua Simpkins on his podcast, Broken Vessels, to talk about the brokenness of depression and some of the questions and challenges that arise when we navigate that journey with Christ.

Sadness vs. Depression: This vs. That Podcast Interview

October 31, 2023

I recently had the opportunity to join Anchored Hope Counseling on their podcast to consider how we might discern the difference between ordinary experiences of sadness and the overwhelming darkness of depression.

4 Ways to Help a Depressed Mom

October 14, 2023

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.

Depression in Motherhood: Help & Hope Podcast Interview

October 5, 2023

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.

When the Clock Strikes Midnight: 3 Encouragements for Depressed Moms

September 27, 2023

If you’re feeling desperate for encouragement as you walk through the darkness of depression, I’d like to pass along a few statements which ministered to me. The Spirit used each of these fitly spoken words to give me strength and insight on my journey. By God’s mercy and grace, I pray they will serve you just the same. As featured at Risen Motherhood.