Kay Warren, known for cofounding Saddleback Church with her husband, Pastor Rick Warren, joins Stephanie Daniels to discuss a deeply personal topic. Kay is the mother of three adult children, including Matthew who lost his life to suicide at age 27 after years of chronic depression. Having walked beside her son through his suffering, and survived the anguish of his death, Kay has experienced firsthand the need for the church, and all believers, to extend compassionate support to people facing mental health struggles. Tune in for this critical call for the body of Christ to support people who battle with depression, suicidal ideation, and despair—providing the love and hope of Jesus in moments of deepest darkness.

Help is here! If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, suicidal ideation, or other mental health challenges, you are not alone…

Explore resources mentioned in this episode, and encouragement from Joni Eareckson Tada who has herself wrestled with deep depression.

Get your copy of Kay Warren’s book, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough

Hear Joni Eareckson Tada’s shares heart on how to battle depression

Get your copy of Joni’s booklet, Navigating Depression: Hope for Heavy Hearts

Learn more about Kay and her ministry at www.kaywarren.com

For Christ-centered encouragement, practical tools, and comprehensive resources for families and churches around mental health visit https://www.hopeforbrightertomorrows.org

Find additional resources and support through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | Mental Health Support, Education & Advocacy

KEY QUESTIONS:

• Who in your world needs to hear that they are not alone? Go tell them—be there to listen and pray.
• How can you find joy today even if you feel trapped in a season of hardship?

KEY SCRIPTURE:

• Lamentations 3:19-25 (NLT): “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”

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Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training.

Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.