"Stepping Into the Light" | Out of the Cave (Part 2) | Pastor Chris Hodges

With his trademark blend of Bible-based wisdom, practical application, and vulnerability in sharing his personal struggles, Pastor Hodges explores the causes of depression we can't change, the contributors we can conquer, and offers transformative hope and spiritual power to help us win the battle.
You can purchase his recent book release "Out of the Cave" on Amazon
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[@2Tigerbabe]

A friend sent me this as I have been struggling with depression for a long time. At 19 I was called and was a youth and music minister. I had so many blessings and saw people saved all glory to Go and I also met some of the meanest people I have ever know in the church. After 20 years I returned to college and was blessed with a great job until I was disabled and have been for 10 years I am 65 and I tend to look back and miss the good times. I’m single and am alone. I have been in the cave for a long time and it’s getting worse. I feel I have no purpose as I have a bad back that is my thorn in the flesh. I have seen God use me but I feel like a failure now. Not close to my family and they don’t u understand. My depression at all. Please pray for me. I want God to heal me and use me but I am so isolated, I have no vision, no confidence etc. PleSe pray for me.

[@kathymyers-host6187]

This is Kathy from James River Church, online DreamTeam! Pastor, I heard you for the first time on Wednesday night! EVERYTHING you described, that you went through last year in June, is how I have felt all week. Satan seems to be attacking me left & right. Things are very heavy on me and I live by myself and am mid 50's. With severe health problems now because of Covid, I ended up a victim of a Hit & Run car accident last week that has left me with no more Van. I have nothing else. No options. People are very good about lifting me up in prayer, but that's where it stops. I not only use my Van for my many Doctor appointments, but for Ministry, too!🛐🙏... I do Community Outreach locally, on my own, as well. Its VERY MUCH NEEDED here in Springfield😔Your Ministry is a HUGE BLESSING! I wanted to just "quit".... UNTIL I heard YOU Preach. God Bless You! Please keep me in prayer.🙏Im now on SSI and don't have much " Wriggle Room."

[@heatherdewitt6618]

From the standpoint of a therapist, this message concerns me since it is not prefaced with the fact that this might be helpful information for people maybe struggling with day to day ups and downs, but is NOT an effective solution for individuals struggling from clinically diagnosed depression (MDD), anxiety (GAD), or other mental health diagnosis. Christians, even Christian counselors, are not mental health practitioners or professionals, and to assume such a role can be dangerous for people struggling with a clinical diagnosis. This is the equivalent to “diet and exercise are helpful for physical health.” YES- BUT when when you have a massive brain injury they are not an effective solution and should not be diagnosed as such.