Still in the Hands of God: From Hopeless Depression Back into Light

By Robert Sawyer

A true life story of one woman’s mental health journey as seen through the eyes of her spouse and caregiver.
Follow the memories of a husband who deeply cares for his wife, both trying to figure out how to live one day at a time. When it appears there is nothing left for which to hope, through the hardships of this married couple, God shows others they too can trust the Lord in difficult times. This book offers inspiration, renewed determination and conviction—all wrapped in love.
A moving, unforgettable story that will make a difference in your life, your marriage, and your family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Sawyer
• Release date: Feb 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781943027248

Robert Sawyer

Bob performs many jobs; writing is but one. He challenges his readers to believe that God is with them even amidst insurmountable trials. Bob writes about what God has done in his life reaching people in the area of mental health and beyond. He and his wife, Janet, are the parents of three grown children and make their home in Nebraska.

Book preview

Still in the Hands of God: From Hopeless Depression Back into Light © 2018 Robert Paul Sawyer

Third Edition

Original copyright March 9, 2016

Published through Electric Moon Publishing, LLC

An author-friendly, custom publishing place

Stromsburg, NE

www.emoonpublishing.com

[e-mail]

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-943027-23-1

E-book ISBN: 978-1-943027-24-8

Cover Design: Lyn Rayn, Electric Moon Publishing Creative Arts Department

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the NASB® Bible (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation where indicated). Used by permission.

No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any electronic system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author. Brief quotations may be used in literary reviews. Contact Electric Moon Publishing, LLC for details.

Published by Electric Moon Publishing, LLC at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Bob’s account was so gripping that I read it in one sitting. It is a must-read for anyone who has ever experienced depression or been close to someone who has.

~ Linda Richards, retired educator

When suffering strikes, our greatest need is not to merely have our circumstances explained or our questions answered, but to know the unchanging character of God and cling to Christ who will never leave us or forsake us. Bob and Janet’s lives are a living testimony that where God is, there is always hope!

~ Tyrone Spenst, Pastor, Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Plainview, MN

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has or is struggling with depression. We definitely need more written on this subject. So many wonderful Christians suffer from depression, all the while believing there must be something really wrong with them or they wouldn’t feel this way. Bob and Janet’s journey through the struggles of depression teaches us just how faithful God is in our darkest times. Their wonderful exercise of personal faith during these dark times will be remarkably helpful to many who are facing the same crisis in their life.

~ Pastor Curtis Holzworth, Interim Ministries, Scottsbluff, NE

In Robert Sawyer’s short and readable book, there is a poignancy whereby he reveals two persons’ journey through the ‘valley of the shadow of death.’ As he relates his wife’s and his own trip through their deep furrow of the unknown and its accompanying fear, despair, pain and questioning, the reader is shown life at its rawest. And through it all, God is there, even when His deliverance doesn’t always come when and how we would like. An encouragement to any who are, or someday may, travel this or any other painful journey themselves or with a loved one.

~ Jack and Judy Anderson, retired bank officer and hospice volunteer

This book was written in memory of Jeanette Lunde.

She had a huge impact on our lives and continues to, for which we are grateful.

_________________________

Disclaimer:

This is my personal story. I am not a medical professional. Each person’s journey is unique and it is not my intent to diagnose or treat anyone. Be advised that neither I nor any of the contributing writers or resources referenced can be held responsible for medical decisions made after reading this book. If you are struggling, please reach out to your primary healthcare provider.

Table of Contents

Cover

Title

Copyrights

Endorsements

Dedication

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Summary

Epilogue

Hope: A Daughter’s Perspective

Acknowledgments

Endnotes

Author Picture

Publisher Information

Foreword

My first memory of Janet Sawyer is bagging and carrying out groceries and a couple of refill water jugs to a silver Dodge Diplomat parked up the street for a young woman who had a little boy with her who was glued to her hip. Since I had just started working in the store in 1995, I didn’t know a lot of people in town. When I went back in, I asked my coworkers who she was. They told me her name, saying she and her family lived in the last house on the north side of East 4th Street. I knew the house, having walked by it with friends on my morning walks back in the ’80s. I learned that the Sawyers had moved to town from Minnesota.

Janet started working part-time at the grocery store in 1997. I got to know her personally as we stocked Jell-O, cereal, crackers, and cookies in aisle three. We shared our stories and found out we had Minnesota and our faith in common. That began a close friendship