Invitation to recommend spiritual books to use as bibliotherapeutic tools to overcome depression!!!
My name is Caroline Sarah, and I hail from Tamilnadu, India. Currently, I am a doctoral student at the University of Jerusalem. My research focuses on the efficacy of Bibliotherapy in treating mental illnesses, particularly depression. Bibliotherapy is widely recognized as an add-on therapy that involves Reading for Healing. It plays a crucial role in shaping and modifying the thought process of individuals.
Bibliotherapy is generally acknowledged to be beneficial as it enables readers to view their problems from a different perspective, thereby gaining hope and alleviating tension, depression, and stress. For my study, I have chosen to focus on low-level depression, rather than clinical depression.
As a proponent of the role of church librarians, I believe that their library services have the potential to extend beyond traditional offerings to include bibliotherapy. This approach can effectively alleviate mood disorders, and restless thoughts, and promote a sense of calmness, ultimately fostering hope for the future.
I would like to extend an invitation to church librarians to recommend spiritual books or articles that address situations that church members may encounter and seek solace for. Specifically, I could start with studying family conflicts, unsettled family or relationship difficulties, and isolation. I kindly request that you suggest books that church members may peruse in these circumstances.
Replies
Hi Caroline. We have a plethora of books on varing grief or depression topics. I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but here are a few:
The peacemaker : a biblical guide to resolving personal conflict
by Ken Sande (2004 9780801064852)
Uninvited : living loved when you feel less than, left out, and lonely
by Lysa TerKeurst (2016 9781400205875)
When your world falls apart
by David Jeremiah (2000 9780849904363)
The North face of God : hope for times when God seems indifferent
by Ken Gire (2005 9780842371049)
When God weeps : why our sufferings matter to the Almighty
by Joni Eareckson Tada (1997 025986211868)
God bless.
I found those books to be very interesting to recommend. Your passion for the books you have shared amazes me. If you are interested, you can also be a part of this study by observing the readers' emotional responses after perusing the literary works.
I would greatly appreciate your willingness to share your valuable insights on the outcomes. Your contribution would be most welcome.
Regards
Thank you
Embrace your life: how to find joy when the life you have is not the life you wanted
Elizabeth Woodsen
It's a great book. Thank you.
May I kindly request, if it is possible, that you provide me with testimonials regarding the reading experience of this book from individuals who have perused its contents?
Thank you.
Here are a few titles we have in my church's library collection for your consideration:
Our Dark Night of the Soul: Finding Solace Through Suffering by Martin W. Bass (2014)
God's Answers to Difficult Questions by Rick Warren (2006)
Attacking Anxiety: from Panicked and Depressed to Alive and Free by Shawn Johnson (2022)
Are You Really OK? by Debra K. Fileta (2021)
Anxious for Nothing:Living Above Anxiety and Loneliness by Max Lucado (2021)
The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon (2015)
Thanks for the books you shared. They are very useful.
could I request you to ask people who read these books to give their thoughts on them? Like, get some testimonials or something?
Thank you