Wayne Mack (1935-2025) was an adjunct professor of Biblical Counseling at the Master’s College and Director of Strengthening Ministries International. His book, Out of the Blues, is a helpful examination depression and loneliness from a biblical perspective that offers several biblical remedies for Christians wrestling with these troubles.
In the introduction, Mack gives his purpose in writing the book. In chapters one through three, he explains depression and categorizes types of depression. In chapters four through five, he offers biblical principles and examples addressing depression. In chapter six, Mack addresses loneliness. In chapter seven, he answers several questions on depression and biblical counseling. In chapter eight, he offers more thoughts and insight on counseling people who experience depression.
In the introduction, the author gives the reason he writes this book is because he noticed a deficiency in written literature utilizing proper exegesis of Scripture to address depression. That said, Mack clarifies that he is not writing about physically or biologically induced depression such as bodily malfunction, sickness, or drugs, to the extent that such depression exists (3). He writes that he is not trying to exhaust all Scripture has to say about depression but to share what is biblically accurate and what helps people suffering from depression and loneliness. He further clarifies that, as a biblical counselor, he rejects any integration of secular thought or theories (128).
A Book About Depression, Rooted in Scripture
It is encouraging to know that more counseling resources are being written that exclusively depend on Scripture. Psychiatry and psychology, as naturalistic disciplines, are largely unhelpful in dealing with spiritual issues of the heart, like depression and loneliness, precisely because of their worldview (1 Cor 2:14).
Such a worldview has no grounding for moral truth or any objective standard by which to categorize emotions as good or bad. At best, the most helpful contributions that these naturalistic disciplines can make are to provide observations of emotions and behaviors. They are unable, however, to provide conclusive interpretations due to their worldview (Rom 1:18-21).
In contrast, the Christian can look to Scripture to discover what God reveals about emotions, morality, and reality and rightly interpret behaviors to address them (1 Cor 2:13-16). This is what the author hopes to do in this book.
Defining Depression
In chapters one through one and two, Mack begins with looking at God’s perspective on a biblical definition of depression. He explains that depression is a common experience for all sorts of people, even himself. He readily says that the Bible teaches how to overcome depression, and stresses that every Christian should “know how to deal with it as God intended” for the benefit of their souls and others (2). Mack defines three categories of depression: mild, moderate, and severe (4).
“Mild depression,” is a very common experience. He explains that even Jesus, the sinless one, “experienced sorrow, weariness, discouragement, and disappointment” (Is 53:3; Heb 2:17-18; 4:15; Matt 14:14) (5). Therefore, Mack explains, it is right to acknowledge sadness. However, he warns that submitting to those feelings instead of refusing to be controlled by them is the wrong response (8-9).
“Moderate depression,” is when one’s mind is “set on the negative aspects of their life—earthly things—rather than on God’s promises, purposes, and power-things above” (9). He points to biblical examples of individuals who felt sadness that neared apostasy and serious emotional turmoil but did not lose hope in God. Even if their sadness would last longer than a few days, they could “still redirect their thoughts towards God and avoid falling into utter despair” (15).
“Severe depression” is distinguished by the presence of “utter hopelessness” (15). Those suffering severe depression have no more room in their hearts for anything but sorrow and hopelessness. Mack explains they may be “experiencing both emotional and physical distress at the same time” (16). This is a response to sadness that renders the individual useless to themselves and others (17). Severe depression affects life physically, emotionally, behaviorally, intellectually or cognitively, theologically, and has potential to spiral downward (27).
By using Biblical examples to expound the three categories of depression, Mack helps the reader understand the spectrum of depression. Some sadness is actually a proper response to fallen reality. It’s possible that feeling sad over unfortunate circumstances is not sinful. When this is the case, counselors ought to “Weep with those who weep” (Rom 12:15). However, some sadness is sinful hopelessness, and counselors must respond with a timely reminder of true hope in Christ (2 Cor 4:16).
How Depression Manifests Itself
In chapter three, Mack helps readers understand six aspects about depression and three ways depression manifests. He argues that both these things are “necessary for developing an appropriate biblical strategy for its solution” (32).
First, depression is only possible in a fallen world. Second, “depression is the only logical rationally consistent result of living without God” (34). This includes believers who have lost sight of who God is and has done for sinners. Third, deliverance from depression is available through salvation and “the work of the Holy Spirit.” Fourth, experiential deliverance may not be an automatic result from salvation. Fifth, believers have indwelling sin and therefore can experience depression. Sixth, believers can look forward to heaven where there is no sin or depression (34-35).
Notice how each of Mack’s points stem from gospel truths. Sin has corrupted the world and infected it with hopelessness (Gen 6:11, Rom 3:23; 6:23). But God provides hope by sending Jesus to die on the cross for sinners and to be raised on the third day (1 Cor 15:3-5) so that those who believe in him might find forgiveness of sin, even as they still contend with their sin nature (John 3:16; Col 2:13; Eph 4:24, Rom 4:5; 7:19). True believers can hope for resurrection and can look forward to the day they unite with God in glorious eternity (1 Cor 15, Rev 22).
Having elucidated these six facets of depression, Mack unpacks what causes depression. Depression occurs when one of three or any combination of three things are present: (1) a refusal to deal with sin and guilt (37-41); (2) a mishandling a difficult event or circumstance (41-50); (3) having unbiblical standards of life by over valuing achievement, education, beauty, and talent. Unbiblical standards produce envy, self-pity, bitterness towards God, and depression (50-55). These elements point to a faulty thought life distracted by elementary principles of the world (Gal 4:3, 1 John 2:16).
Overcoming Depression
In chapters four through five, Mack unpacks biblical principles to resolve depression and biblical examples to illustrate these principles in practice. Mack brings to light three biblical examples of saints who overcame depression: Asaph, Jeremiah, and David. Mack exposits Psalm 77 for Asaph, explaining how he poured out his heart, talked to his soul, refused to believe lies about God, and refocused his mind on God’s power (82-83). Jeremiah reminded himself of God’s character, humbled himself, and meditated on God’s sovereignty and discipline (84). David “refused to look at his life without first looking at God…He was able to overcome the temptation to despondency by talking to himself, preaching to himself, exhorting himself, and encouraging himself in the Lord” (86).
Mack identifies three stages in the process of overcoming depression. Stage 1 is when the individual can’t see God in midst of the circumstances. Stage 2 is when God comes into view through the efforts of a counselor, or sermon, etc. Stage 3 is when the individual begins to change because they discipline themselves to take a biblical perspective on their circumstances rather than interpreting through their own or the world’s lens (87-89). Overcoming sin takes time, and Mack encourages the reader to keep their eyes on Jesus and make steady progress one day at a time.
Scripture commands believers to be renewed in their minds so that we learn to be content, endure hardships, and resist hopelessness (Rom 12:2, 1 Cor 10:13, Eph 4:23; Jam 1:2). A self-controlled mind is mature, able to master fluctuating emotions, and anchors hope in the truth.
The men Mack examines were in difficult emotional circumstances, but each labored in their minds to look to God for hope and help. The three stages posited in these chapters provide a helpful roadmap, not just for counselors, but also for individuals who want to overcome their depression.
Dealing with Loniness
In chapter six, he explains that loneliness is a common, painful, and often destructive experience (97). Mack explores two questions: What are the causes of loneliness? And how does God want us to deal with the problem of loneliness? Like depression, Mack shows that there is sinful loneliness and loneliness that is not necessarily sinful (97-99). Again, he points to Scripture to demonstrate that loneliness is a problem in the mind, and the solution of training the mind to dwell on truth (102). Towards the end of the chapter, Mac helpfully creates a list of biblically principled homework assignments for the reader that help refocus the mind.
The remaining chapters of the book, Mack writes to answer objections and questions to the subject of counseling depressed people. In chapter seven, he answers several questions in a Q&A format that he’s been asked over the years regarding biblical counseling and depression. In chapter eight, he includes considerations and instructions for those who want to help counsel others wrestling with depression. This section is especially helpful for those unfamiliar with or would like to know more about biblical counseling. In it, he does not introduce any new ideas but clarifies and reiterates the principles that previously exposited from Scripture.
Conclusion
In summary, Out of the Blues, is an incredibly helpful book for the depressed and lonely, and those wanting to help the depressed and lonely. His approach to the subject is gentle and balanced. He does not thunder down on the fainthearted, nor does he coddle the “woe is me” pity party. His exposition, examples, and exhortations ring boldly, and his suggested homework assignments are highly practical. If you know someone who is depressed or lonely, Out of the Blues, is worth reading.
