What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do: Discouragement and Depression: God Will Make a Way
By Henry Cloud and John Townsend
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About this ebook
Henry Cloud
Dr. Henry Cloud is a clinical psychologist, pastor to pastors, and New York Times bestselling author. His 45 books, including the iconic Boundaries, have sold over 20 million copies worldwide. Throughout his storied career as a clinician, he started treatment centers, created breakthrough new models rooted in research, and has been a leading voice on issues of mental health and leadership on a global scale. Dr. Cloud lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Tori, and their two daughters, Olivia and Lucy.
Read more from Henry Cloud
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries in Marriage: Understanding the Choices That Make or Break Loving Relationships Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries in Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren't Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries for Leaders: Results, Relationships, and Being Ridiculously in Charge Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Get a Date Worth Keeping Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Never Go Back: 10 Things You'll Never Do Again Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals About Personal Growth Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Beyond Boundaries: Learning to Trust Again in Relationships Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
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Book preview
What to Do When You Don't Know What to Do - Henry Cloud
A GIFT FOR
WhattoDo_0001_001FROM
WhattoDo_0001_001Dr.Henry Cloud
& Dr. John Townsend
What to Do
When You Don't
Know What
to Do
God Will Make a Way
WhattoDo_0002_001WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO:
DISCOURAGEMENT & DEPRESSION
Copyright © 2005 by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.
Published by Integrity Publishers, a division of Integrity Media, Inc.,
5250 Virginia Way, Suite 110, Brentwood, TN 37027.
HELPING PEOPLE WORLDWIDE EXPERIENCE the MANIFEST PRESENCE of GOD.
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means— electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published in association with Yates & Yates, LLP, Literary Agents, Orange, California.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV), copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.
Other Scripture quotations are taken from the following sources:
New American Standard Bible (NASB), © 1960, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois. All rights reserved.
Cover and interior design: UDG | DesignWorks,
www.udgdesignworks.com
ISBN 1-59145-350-X
Printed in the United States of America
05 06 07 08 09 LBM 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contents
Prologue
PART I: EIGHT PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE YOU
1. PRINCIPLE ONE:
Begin Your Journey with God
2. PRINCIPLE TWO:
Choose Your Traveling Companions Wisely
3. PRINCIPLE THREE:
Place High Value on Wisdom
4. PRINCIPLE FOUR:
Leave Your Baggage Behind
5. PRINCIPLE FIVE:
Own Your Faults and Weaknesses
6. PRINCIPLE SIX:
Embrace Problems as Gifts
7. PRINCIPLE SEVEN:
Take Life as It Comes
8. PRINCIPLE EIGHT:
Love God with All You Are
PART II: DISCOURAGEMENT AND DEPRESSION
PART III: BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY TODAY
Prologue
Eric, a successful, married businessman in his late forties, came to see me (John) about a problem with depression. No matter what he did, he felt very down all the time—discouraged, hopeless, and with a lack of enjoyment in anything he did. It didn’t make sense to him, for his life, while not perfect, was reasonably OK.
Eric was at that stage of life in which things should have been getting smoother for him. His wife, Laura, and he were happily married. Their two children were in college, and the high maintenance
years of parenting were behind them. His place in his company as a senior vice president of a home-building group was secure, and a good fit for him. So as far as life struggles went, there wasn’t a lot to go on.
I asked Eric, At this point, what have you done so far to deal with the depression?
He said, Well, I have been praying a lot for God to help me and reading my Bible. And, since the kids are gone, I have more free time, so I volunteer at the church and I’ve started playing golf. Thought that would give me a lift. But nothing really helps. I still feel like I’m swimming in mud most of the time. It’s just awful.
I empathized with Eric. If you’ve never experienced true depression, you wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy. It is a darkness inside of you that you cannot get away from or talk yourself out of.
What about your relationships?
I asked.
"You mean friends? I have a good group of guys that I play golf