Dealing with the Dampers of the Soul

Book excerpt: Discouragement or depression is real and personal. While separate, the two moods have a definite tie between them. The stages of the discouragement lead naturally to the forming of the depression. While discouragement reflects an attitude of dismay and depression reflects darkness of the soul, both begin with the word distraction. Many are concerned with depression to the neglect of discouragement. Yet to deal with depression before discouragement is like "putting the cart before the horse!" For these reasons, the author believes it is essential to deal first with the subject of discouragement. If discouragement is handled God's way, it will go a long way to divert or stop the path to depression. Discouragement and depression have similar causes and solutions. Moreover, there is "one key operative word" connected with both, which is "response." This book provides insights on the kind of response necessary for handling the force of both subjects. Robert A. Hanson has served as pastor of Bible Baptist Church in Plymouth, Massachusetts for thirty-six years. He also served as senior chaplain for Plymouth County Jail and Correctional Facility for twenty-two years. The Church under his ministry has enjoyed the blessing of seeing a number enter the ministry with ten serving as Pastors. Robert received his education at Providence Barrington Bible College, Talbot Theological Seminary, Los Angeles Theological Seminary, and The Graduate School of Theology in California. Beyond pastoring four churches in New England and California, he has taught in both college and seminary. His travels have taken him to many parts of the world including India as part of an extension-teaching ministry. Robert and his wife Barbara conduct "Straight to the Heart" and "Road to Renewal" conferences in various churches. The Hansons have five children and seventeen grandchildren.