When Hope Is Lost (Discovery Series Booklet)

Regardless of how it comes about, depression can hold the soul hostage as few other personal experiences can.

Depression is a common result of living in a fallen world.  It's estimated that millions of people battle with various degrees of depression.  Depression is as complicated as it is common to the human experience.  It can its source in physical disease, unsuccessful personal choices, severe emotional trauma, chemical depletion, or even demonic oppression.  The purpose of this booklet is to consider the spectrum of factors that could be involved.  This booklet will look at the nature of depression, its setup, the process of giving up, the reasons we give up, and the process of recovery.  Although depression is a dreadful experience, we will see that there is hope for those who feel that all hope is lost.

Jeff Olson is a licensed professional counselor in the State of Michigan and has worked for Our Daily Bread Ministries as a counselor and a writer since 1992. He has authored a number of Discovery Series booklets (discoveryseries.org) on such topics as addictions, grief, depression, and marital abuse. He also maintains a part-time private counseling practice in the West Michigan area. Jeff and his wife, Diane, have been married since 1986 and have raised two lovely daughters. He is an avid outdoorsman.