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In the Shadow of God's Wings: Grace in the Midst of Depression
Susan Gregg-Schroeder offers a bold statement about living with chronic depression and discovering gifts of God in the midst of that depression. Taking readers on her own personal journey into depression, Gregg-Schroeder relates the wisdom of experience and moves beyond her experience to offer universal truths concerning depression and spirituality.
123 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 24, 2019
I’m searching for a study that will help our community to understand mental illness and engage in productive conversation. Elements of this work will be helpful though the actionable items for a church congregation are somewhat lost in the author’s quest to find the so-called gifts of depression.
May 19, 2026
A vulnerable path through a clergyperson's journey in depression, her book is heart breakingly honest. In spite of this she finds hope and stamina. Helpful for anyone who experiences the same and those who love them.
May 5, 2016
In The Shadow of God's Wings recounts the story of Susan's struggle with depression wherein she was hospitalized multiple times while she was also a pastor on staff at a large United Methodist church. She talks about how her severe depression surfaced, her times in the hospital, finding grace in the midst of depression, the spiritual gifts she learned to seek while in the throes of depression and emerging through the shadow of depression not "cured," but on an on-going journey of self-discovery.
Susan is a client of mine; I design and maintain her website, mentalhealthministries.net. I have, through the years I've known her, grown more and more in knowledge about mental illness through my work with her. I decided to read her book this May in honor of Mental Health Month. In the book Susan gives an honest and vulnerable account of her mental illness and also shares spiritual lessons that she learned while in the midst of depression (vulnerability, discovering one's authentic self, patience in the process, living with paradox, creativity and hope). Although I do not struggle with mental illness, I appreciated the insider's view and also appreciated her section on rediscovering sabbath time and carving out time for yourself to do whatever it is that is meaningful and restorative to you...saying that time is a gift from God and that good time management is a spiritual discipline. That rings true for me in my life. I think this book would be a good read for clergy and others who are in a helping profession, to have an idea of what it is like to endure depressive episodes and yet also have the tools to sit with, to listen and to have an idea to help someone discern the time they are going through.
Susan is a client of mine; I design and maintain her website, mentalhealthministries.net. I have, through the years I've known her, grown more and more in knowledge about mental illness through my work with her. I decided to read her book this May in honor of Mental Health Month. In the book Susan gives an honest and vulnerable account of her mental illness and also shares spiritual lessons that she learned while in the midst of depression (vulnerability, discovering one's authentic self, patience in the process, living with paradox, creativity and hope). Although I do not struggle with mental illness, I appreciated the insider's view and also appreciated her section on rediscovering sabbath time and carving out time for yourself to do whatever it is that is meaningful and restorative to you...saying that time is a gift from God and that good time management is a spiritual discipline. That rings true for me in my life. I think this book would be a good read for clergy and others who are in a helping profession, to have an idea of what it is like to endure depressive episodes and yet also have the tools to sit with, to listen and to have an idea to help someone discern the time they are going through.
May 28, 2011
Last week I attended an all day seminar on Mental Illness/Health held in Claremont and sponsored by NAMI,
National Alliance of the Mentally Ill. We learned about the mental health resources in this area. The keynote speaker was the author of this book and she was fantastic. Susan is a Methodist Minister who lives in San Diego. Her book gives an account of her depression, her families responses, coming to terms with her illness, hospitalization, what she learned while in the darkness and shadows of depression. She really describes the lengths to which people go to deny their illness and the process of recovery. Her book is couched in theological and psychological understanding and framework. I found it so helpful personally as well as reflecting and better understanding Lynda's life and struggles.
She also has written a book for families of faith. We brought back resources for Claremont Presbyterian Church, our church home.
National Alliance of the Mentally Ill. We learned about the mental health resources in this area. The keynote speaker was the author of this book and she was fantastic. Susan is a Methodist Minister who lives in San Diego. Her book gives an account of her depression, her families responses, coming to terms with her illness, hospitalization, what she learned while in the darkness and shadows of depression. She really describes the lengths to which people go to deny their illness and the process of recovery. Her book is couched in theological and psychological understanding and framework. I found it so helpful personally as well as reflecting and better understanding Lynda's life and struggles.
She also has written a book for families of faith. We brought back resources for Claremont Presbyterian Church, our church home.
October 16, 2014
A helpful memoir of a pastor's experience of clinical depression. Recommended for church leaders.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews