Beauty in the Browns: Walking with Christ in the Darkness of Depression

by Paul Asay

Do you or someone you love struggle with depression? If so, know that you and your loved ones can go on.

Beauty in the Browns author Paul Asay knows this from personal experience―his and his son’s. As he shares their stories in an honest, practical, sometimes painful, and occasionally humorous way (with input from mental health professionals), you’ll find someone who understands what it means to live as a Christian with depression. He offers hope and help to those suffering from mental illness as well as those trying to help them. Even in the bleak browns of depression, even when the world looks hopeless, God still has a plan for people dealing with this issue. In this book, you’ll find encouragement to fight the good fight and keep the faith.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Mental Health, Self Help

240 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2021

About the author

Paul Asay is associate editor at Plugged In, a ministry that reaches more than six million people with movie reviews that help people understand popular cultural trends and how they intersect with spiritual issues. Paul is an award-winning journalist who covered religion at The (Colorado Springs) Gazette and whose work has been published by such outlets as The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Youth Worker Journal and Beliefnet.com. Paul has a special interest in the unexpected ways faith and media intersect. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Wendy, and two children.

Reviews

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo good. Review to come. 🤎🤎🤎

[Lynette Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having a family member going through depression, I found this book extremely interesting. For being a book about depression, it stays away from being depressing and is sometimes funny, well written, and quietly inspiring.

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic look at depression and faith. Highly recommend for anyone suffering from depression or who loves someone suffering.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. While depression is a really dark and really tough subject to discuss, this author was able to carefully and thoughtfully approach the subject. It was a book filled with hope despite the despair. Filled with faith despite the heartache. I appreciated the author’s ability to see the beauty in his suffering and translate it into a relatable and enjoyable read! Must read for anyone that loves someone (or is someone) who suffers from depression.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I listened to the author read it. So, so good. I will be reading it again and again for sure. I learned so much about depression and about myself.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. He uses humor appropriately and doesn’t make simple answers to depression. He really shares his battle. Really great book! And filled with hope!

[Ryan Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a blessing this book was!

[Selah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote a review but it was rlly depressing so I deleted it

[Kelly Bigelow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really appreciated the author’a transparency and honesty.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book read by the author. His reading made it more authentic and relatable. I will admit that when I first started the book, I wasn’t sure I would finish it. Some of his humor sounded corny and the content didn’t seem applicable. Im so glad I continued to listen because it turned out to be one of the most helpful and honest books I’ve read on the subject. He is able to articulate deep thoughts and feelings that are not easily put into words. His personal experience is so relatable, raw, and honest. He somehow relays a perspective that gives hope even in a difficult time. He gives the reader much to think about without making unrealistic predictions or promises.

[Rick Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is a raw and beautiful depiction of depression.

On page 171, the author discusses how even Christians, despite their faith, can experience depression. This can lead to feelings of confusion and betrayal, prompting one to question, "Where is the living water I was promised?" This sense of spiritual drought can make us feel lifeless and disconnected from the beauty and joy around us. It can also make us less receptive to helpful advice and distant from God. I've experienced similar feelings in my own spiritual journey. Romans 12:2

[Robynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

We agree on a lot of stuff. I'm glad he's finding a way through.

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, and the writing.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes you can only just put one foot in front of the other.

[Tina Chooses Joy]

Using examples from his life and well-known books like The Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe and Dante's Inferno, this book is helpful if you or someone you know suffers from depression.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently heard Paul Asay share about his battle with depression on the Focus on the Family podcast. I was in the depths of my own most recent bout with . . . well, I wasn’t sure with WHAT . . . and hearing Paul’s story made me feel so incredibly seen. Though his experience did not mirror mine exactly, his emotions and symptoms were eerily similar to my own. I was encouraged by his story of overcoming his depression and eager to learn more through his book.

Beauty in the Browns begins with a brief overview of depression: what it is, what it isn’t, and why its sufferers must fight to move on. Asay reflects on his own childhood and the circumstances that led to chronic depression in his teen years and again in middle age. He then walks readers through the steps he took to overcome his depression and offers strategies for fellow sufferers who hope to do the same. Finally, he shares tenderly about his son’s journey with depression and offers encouragement for those whose loved ones struggle in this area.

I so appreciated this book. Asay’s story is relatable and told with candor, compassion, and surprising amounts of humor. He does not downplay the pain or challenges of depression but offers hope, truth, and motivation from the depths of darkness. His strategies for healing were not new to me, but he packages them in a way I found accessible and useful. (Knowing his own story was helpful, as his experience reveals the efficacy of these tips.) I especially loved Asay’s encouragement to turn to Scripture and to God, which he does while also acknowledging that depression is much more layered and complicated than has often been suggested by many Christians. (In other words, he doesn’t simply suggest that depression can be prayed away.)

The book’s conclusion took my breath away. I love that Paul Asay sees the gifts of depression, a perspective I choose to embrace too. Asay has found the beauty and purpose in his suffering, and in sharing this he helps fellow sufferers to do the same.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars (Rounded up to 5 Stars).

This review first appeared on my personal blog, https://kendranicole.net/april-2021-q...

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