We want to constantly reinforce awareness, and sometimes that means reading a lot of good books. Whether it’s mental health for pastors or ways to integrate Christian practices into counseling sessions, we’ve got you covered.
We will only recommend books that we think are worthwhile and will have links to reviews for those who want to better understand why we think this is a good book for you. This will be an ever-growing list, so hit us up on social media if you think of a book that isn’t listed below.
You are reading: Christian books on mental health
disturbed minds
amazon | hearing | our review
in troubled minds, amy simpson, whose family knows the trauma and bewilderment of mental illness, reminds us that people with mental illness are our neighbors and our brothers and sisters in christ, and shows us the way to love them well and become a church that loves God with all its heart and with all its soul, with the strength we have and with healthy minds and troubled minds.
mental health and the church
amazon | our review
in mental health and the church, dr. Stephen Grcevich presents a simple and flexible model for inclusive mental health ministry to be implemented by churches of all sizes, denominations, and organizational styles. The model is based on the recognition of seven barriers to church attendance and assimilation as a result of mental illness: stigma, anxiety, self-control, differences in social communication and sensory processing, social isolation, and past experiences of church.
grace for the afflicted
amazon | hearing | our review
Why has the church had trouble ministering to people with mental illness? every day men and women diagnosed with mental disorders are told that they need to pray more and turn away from their sin. mental illness is equated with demon possession, weak faith, and generational sin. As a church leader and professor of psychology and behavioral sciences, Matthew S. Stanford has seen too many mentally ill brothers and sisters harmed by well-meaning believers who respond to them out of fear or misinformation rather than grace.
disability and the church
amazon | our review
disability and the church is a practical and theological reconsideration of the responsibilities of the church towards the disability community. Too often, people with disabilities are pushed away from the church or made to feel unwelcome in many ways. as hardwick writes, this should not be the case. She insists that the Good News of Jesus affirms the image of God in all people, and offers practical steps and strategies for building stronger, truly inclusive communities of faith.
I love Jesus, but I want to die
amazon | hearing | our review
in i love jesus but i want to die, seasoned author and ministry leader sarah j. Robinson brings a new perspective to the church and life-giving hope to those living with mental illness. With unwavering honesty, Robinson shares proven tools and simple practices that empower readers to fight for integrity, giving them the confidence that they are not alone in their suffering and that they are worth whatever it takes to get back on their feet.
anxious
amazon | hearing | our review
See Also: Zecharia Sitchin – Book Series In Order
Anxious: Choosing Faith in a World of Worries by Amy Simpson is a book on the subject of mental health that bears her title. explores as Christians how we should respond to situations and personal stories of anxiety, pointing out that simple “Christian jokes” of “just pray more” are not helpful, and then provides practical and biblical advice on how to proceed. The personal nature of this book makes it feel authentic, giving insight into big concerns like your experience coming face to face with a bear in Alaska, but also trying to get a grip on what your day or week can be like in a stressful week.
sharing love abundantly in families with special needs
amazon | hearing | our review
Between worry, doctor’s appointments, and the myriad little challenges of everyday life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and burned out. The idea of showing abundant love to each member of your family can seem like a daunting task. jolene philo has been there. And in this wise, warm, and practical guide, she and Dr. Gary Chapman will show you how the 5 Love Languages can help you strengthen your marriage and his family life, whatever his needs may be.
land of dreams
amazon | hearing | our review
in 1929, in the working-class town of portsmouth, ohio, a company built a swimming pool the size of a football field; called the land of dreams, it became the vital center of the community. Now, addiction has ravaged Portsmouth, home to hundreds of small rural towns and suburbs across the United States – an addiction like no other the country has ever faced. how that happened is the fascinating story of dreamland.
the body keeps score
amazon | hearing | our review (coming soon)
Trauma is a fact of life. veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been sexually abused; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples has committed physical violence. such experiences inevitably leave imprints on the mind, emotions, and even biology. Unfortunately, people experiencing trauma often pass on their stress to their partners and children. Renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk has spent more than three decades working with survivors. in the body he keeps score, he transforms our understanding of traumatic stress, revealing how it literally rewires the brain, specifically the areas dedicated to pleasure, commitment, control, and trust. he shows how these areas can be reactivated through innovative treatments including neurofeedback, mindfulness techniques, games, yoga, and other therapies.
the fight is real
amazon | our review (coming soon)
These and many other problems facing our current culture in alarming proportions. consequently, relational and mental health issues find their way home. to everyone’s house.
People with these and other concerns often turn first to the church for help. however, most churches are not equipped to adequately minister to the depth and magnitude of these overwhelming problems. This book was created as a comprehensive resource to provide the church with practical tools to care for these suffering people in a biblically sound and emotionally healthy way.
limits
amazon | hearing | our review (coming soon)
Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. limits affect all areas of our lives. dr henry cloud and dr. John Townsend offers biblically based answers to these and other tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves.
limits for your soul
amazon | hearing | our review
Do your emotions control you or do you control your emotions? Many people let guilt, anger, or self-criticism dominate their lives and negatively affect their relationships. the limits for your soul show you how to calm the inner chaos.
See Also: TOP 10 STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING MANUALS – Strength and Conditioning Courses
It’s not supposed to be like this
amazon | hearing | our review
what went wrong? why did god allow this to happen?
reality often ends up a long way from the life we long for, doesn’t it? Bible teacher Lysa Terkeurst deeply understands everyday disappointments and life-altering losses. Walking through her own valley, she discovered that in God we can find unexpected strength as we struggle well between our faith and our feelings.
I’m not sick, I don’t need help!
amazon | hearing | our review
About 50% of all people with schizophrenia and manic-depression do not understand that they are sick and refuse treatment.
Whether you are a family member or a therapist, in this book you will find hope in what new research is revealing about the problem of poor perception of illness.
the youth worker’s guide to helping teens in crisis
amazon | our review
when youth work becomes a crisis manager. Anyone who stays in youth ministry for any length of time will encounter significant crises. family breakups, substance abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, outages, suicide, gun violence but without proper and immediate care, crises like these can cause years of emotional pain and spiritual scars on students.
sparks of redeeming grace
amazon | our review
Mental illness affects millions of families each year. Sparks of Redemptive Grace offers an authentic insight into a family’s transparent hope in God’s unfailing love, carved out of the fire of fear and faith.
group emergency response manual for youth ministry
amazon | our review (coming soon)
Teenagers face difficult and painful things in life, and they shouldn’t struggle alone. but what are you saying? How do you help? What if you make things worse? This quick response manual gives you and your youth group the confidence to share God’s love and comfort with hurting friends.
anxious about nothing
amazon | hearing | our review
When it comes to anxiety, depression, and stress-related illnesses, the United States is the favorite. Fortunately, there is a handy recipe for dealing with them. Anxious About Nothing by New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado provides a roadmap for fighting and healing from anxiety.
See Also: 30 good nonfiction books about espionage | Mal Warwick Blog on Books