Ed Welch On Depression and Finding Lasting Deliverance from Sadness, Grief, and Despair

Have you ever experienced feelings of sadness, grief, isolation, or despair? You are not alone.

An estimated 17.3 million American adults experienced depression in 2019, up 2 million from the last five years. It’s not hard to imagine how much higher this became in 2020 during the pandemic. And the rates are continuing to rise as COVID-19 persists into the most depressing time of year—midwinter.

In light of the diminishing mental health many of us are experiencing in the midst of a pandemic, we thought this would be the perfect time to revive one of our best interviews on the subject with Christian Counselor Dr. Ed Welch. Instead of offering simple platitudes or unrealistic “cure-all” formulas, he addresses the complex nature of depression with compassion and insight, applying the rich treasures of the gospel, and giving fresh hope to those who struggle.

Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He has counseled for over twenty-five years and has written many books including Depression: Looking Up From the Stubborn Darkness; When People Are Big and God Is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave; Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest; Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Addiction; and When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety. Ed and his wife Sheri have two married daughters and four grandchildren.


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4 Comments

  • Jean says:

    We love the broadcasts! I especially love the connection with New Life Church in the Philadelphia area and CCEF. I attended New Life in the 80’s

    • Corum Hughes says:

      Thanks for your response, Jean. Yes, Charles had great experiences with New Life. There are so many connections still made with people like Ed Welch and Paul Miller today.

  • Ted Bates says:

    Hi. When I was 19 years old, I attended UCSC and was poring over difficult books and was extremely depressed. I was forced to drop out. The heavy load damaged my brain. After dropping out of college I began experiencing some amazing coincidences. God was drawing me to Jesus and I came. I still was in a lot of mental anguish and darkness. Then I received Christian counseling. When I met with my counselor, it was as if my counselor shined a little light into my mind as if into a dark home with rooms and chambers that received a little light. Eventually the light became stronger and some of the darkness was gone. I haven’t received counseling in 40 years. I still have some cognitive disability, but life in the midst of it all is worth living. I am almost 66. It was a miracle I got through my 29th birthday. Life isn’t all Rose’s and flower strewn pathways, but it is worth the living just because He lives.

    • Corum Hughes says:

      Wow. What a powerful testament to the gospel and Christian counseling. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles but so happy you were able to find light in that stubborn darkness. Thanks for sharing!

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