Midnight Mercies - by Christine M Chappell (Paperback)

About the Book

"Are you a mom who feels hopeless, weary, sad, angry, anxious, ashamed, or lonely? Biblical counselor Christine Chappell explores the mercies God has for you in even your darkest hours"--

Book Synopsis

Are you a mother who feels stuck in depression? You're not the only Christian woman who knows what this darkness is like. When feelings of hopelessness, weariness, sadness, anger, anxiety, shame, and loneliness feel impossible to bear, it can seem like God is nowhere to be found. But there's more to the story than you can presently perceive. Biblical counselor Christine Chappell has walked these dark paths herself--and she wants to help you to see God's heart for you more clearly as you endure sorrow and pain. As Christine recounts her own midnight journey through depression and explores stories of desperate sufferers who experienced God's mercy in the Scriptures, she shows how God meets us in our despair and helps us toward his light--one step at a time.

Review Quotes

Midnight Mercies invites you to a rare pairing: an author willing to bring you into her darkest hours, but one who expresses her pain in the language of healing theology. In this behind-the-curtain memoir of mental health diagnosis and motherhood, Chappell doesn't shy away from the hardest problems or the hardest Scriptures, yet manages to find insightful encouragement in Christ again and again. I commend this honest, uplifting work to anyone, especially struggling mothers.--Alasdair Groves, Executive Director, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF); Coauthor, Untangling Emotions

"Enduring the dark pit of depression can leave one feeling anxious, hopeless, shameful, and alone. In Midnight Mercies, Christine Chappell comes alongside the hurting with biblical hope. Readers won't find trite responses or false self-rescue advice; rather, Christine gives voice to the reality of depression and the merciful God who enters the pit with us and offers us rest in Him. If your heart is hurting today, read Midnight Mercies."--Christina Fox, Counselor; Speaker; Author, A Heart Set Free

As a follower of Christ who's struggled with depression, I'm grateful for Christine Chapell's servant's heart and for her willingness to share her journey and insights. In Midnight Mercies, Chapell combines the empathy and sensitivity of one who's walked the dark road, with biblical wisdom and practical guidance to lead sufferers back toward the light. Vulnerable, honest, and abundantly hopeful, Chapell unflinchingly confronts some of the hardest realities of living in a fallen world, and unfailingly points to our assurance in Christ, who will make all things new.--Kathryn Butler, Author, Glimmers of Grace

Christine does a wonderful job of weaving her personal story with the experiences of God's people in Scripture. She compassionately offers struggling Moms hope in the gospel.--Jim Newheiser, Executive Director, The Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship

Christine knows depression is bleak. She is also confident that God has been her steady companion through it. She tells pieces of her story that will help you learn to trust God's loving presence in your depression too. Her advice is kind. Every passage of Scripture Christine shares is relevant to types of suffering that depression brings.--Jenny Solomon, Speaker; Cofounder, Solomon SoulCare; Author, Reclaim Your Marriage

For the mama who feels mired in inescapable despair and defeat, Christine provides a gospel-saturated path toward hope and wholeness. She powerfully silences the whisper that you're alone in your depression or mental diagnosis by vulnerably sharing her own story and then walking through the narratives of some of scripture's most faithful who experienced their own dark valleys. What a gift and help Midnight Mercies will be to so many!--Lisa Appelo, Author, Life Can Be Good Again

If you feel weighed down by the sorrows of motherhood, you're not alone. Humbly sharing her own story and honestly confronting the questions we all face, Christine Chappell is both a sympathetic friend and wise counselor. In her thoughtfully written book, Chappell reminds us that while our pain is real, so is our hope, and we can trust the God who walks with us. I highly recommend Midnight Mercies!--Katie Faris, Author, God Is Still Good

In Midnight Mercies: Walking with God through Depression in Motherhood, biblical counselor, Christine Chappell, exposes how common depression is in motherhood. Christine shares how depression affected her as a mother, shedding light on the underlying issues that can lead to depression and giving hope in Christ to other suffering mothers. With a high percentage of young mothers in the church, I highly recommend that church leaders, women's ministries, and biblical counselors give copies of this book to every congregant.--Shannon Kay McCoy, Biblical Counseling Director, Valley Center Community Church; Council Member, Biblical Counseling Coalition; Author, Help! I'm A Slave to Food

Midnight Mercies is a compassionate and valuable resource for those navigating the depths of depression, darkness, and the connected, shadowy struggles. Christine Chappell's personal understanding and compassion shine through as she offers meaningful guidance for responding to these struggles in ways which magnify God's grace. Through heartfelt stories and biblical insights, this book reminds readers that even in the darkest moments, God's mercy is ever-present, gently leading us toward His light. Midnight Mercies is a beacon of hope and help for anyone longing for solace amidst the shadows of depression.--Rush Witt, Lead Pastor, Paramount Church, Bexley, Ohio; Author, I Want to Escape

Midnight Mercies is a must-read for moms struggling with depression, and I plan to buy extra copies to give away. Christine is my go-to person on issues of mental health, and her wise counsel, biblical examples and firsthand experience make this book so helpful. As she vulnerably shares her journey of depression, Christine reminds readers they are not alone in their struggle and that God will unfailingly meet us when we feel forsaken.--Vaneetha Risner, Author, Desperate for Hope and Walking through Fire

Midnight Mercies is a rare book that weaves the sharing of painful suffering, vulnerable personal stories, and tender faith in God. Though Christine writes to mothers facing depression, leading them by the hand through her own experience, Midnight Mercies's wisdom will connect with sufferers of many types. I hope as you read it, your heart will see Christ no matter what you are feeling or facing...as it did for me!--Ellen Mary Dykas, Director, Equipping for Ministry to Women, Harvest USA; Author, Jesus and Your Unwanted Journey

Midnight Mercies is a sweet gift for the weak and weary. Walk with Christine as she speaks personally and tenderly about the desolation of depression and our God who meets us in seasons of sorrow. God has gifted Christine with comforting scriptural insights, which she captures so well they will be anchors for your soul when you desperately need his mercies.--Darby A. Strickland, Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF); Author, Is It Abuse?

Midnight Mercies not only ministers to mothers who are walking through dark nights of the soul but to any woman who has been stricken with deep grief and pain. Christine candidly shares her own experiences while also working through the stories of biblical sufferers such as Moses, Elijah, Mary and Martha, Job, Naomi, and others. It is a must-read for all who have experienced brokenness and need practical encouragement to hold onto the hope we have in Christ--Camille Cates, Speaker; Biblical Counselor; Author, Moving Forward after Abortion

Overflowing with hope and grace, this book is a treasure chest of helpful transparency and biblical wisdom for any woman walking through a dark valley.--Paul Tautges, Pastor; Counselor; Author, Anxiety

The books I value most are written by those who have lived the subject. Midnight Mercies is one of those books. In this excellent book, Christine Chapelle has shown us the heart of a mother struggling with depression. She has given us many useful insights that readers will find helpful including defining the difference between normal sadness that is safe and sadness that puts a struggling mother at risk. Knowing the difference can be life saving. Another, was Christines observation that the sadness of depression will have an end. This book will be helpful to those who struggle and those who wish to help them.--Charles Hodges, Executive Director, Vision of Hope Residential Counseling Facility for Women

The Lord has comforted Christine in her troubles and, with both refreshing transparency and keen biblical insights, Christine now passes that comfort on to her readers (2 Cor 1:3-4). Mothers are especially on her heart, but anyone will be blessed and helped in the troubles they face as they take in Christine's wisdom and receive her compassionate care.--Lauren Whitman, Faculty and Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation

When fear and depression come upon us it can feel like we are entering into an abyss of darkness. If you have ever been in that space before, Christine's story will be like a gentle hand coming alongside to offer help. Her vulnerable testimony points to the reality that we all struggle in a broken world, but also the truth that throughout all of time God has been at work in the lives of those he calls his own. May his love and care minister to your soul as you take in Christine's humble story of suffering.--Jonathan D. Holmes, Executive Director, Fieldstone Counseling

While the target audience for Midnight Mercies is mothers who struggle with depression, this book is for everyone whose emotions and circumstances take them to dark places, as well as for those who love them. Christine's own depression journey equips her to call back to those coming behind her with the truth that there is hope in the darkest pit. Instead of cookie-cutter to do lists, Christine takes us on a scriptural journey where we observe how God responds to depression in His children. Her insights teach us much about His compassion and how we, too, can trust Him with our lament as well as come alongside a friend experiencing an emotional midnight. Immediately after reading Midnight Mercies a hopeless friend asked for help and I felt ready to walk with her with Christine's book in my hands. I highly recommend Midnight Mercies.--Sharon W. Betters, Author, Treasures in Darkness; Executive Director, MARKINC Ministries

Written with understanding and compassion by a fellow sufferer, this book offers tremendous hope by providing unique and nuanced counsel that digs deep into the various emotions involved in depression. Despite being written with special interest toward motherhood, a varied readership will find relatable, extensive help in a very readable format.--Dave and Krista Dunham, Counselors, Sparrow and Heart Soul Care; Authors, Table for Two