Enter
INTERVIEWS & REVIEWS
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • For Writers
    • Resources
  • Interviews
    • Interview Submissions
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
    • Become a Reviewer >
      • Book Reviewer Guidelines
  • Team Members Only
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Historical Fiction
    • Mystery/Suspense
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2020 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Karen Baney >
      • Anna Bottoms
      • Ezara Boyce-Swann
      • Kassidi Brewer
      • Sandra Broome
      • Thomas Brown
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Marie Edwards
    • Susan Feaster
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Abigail Harder
      • Adriann Harris
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Christy Janes >
      • Heather L. Jones
    • Raechel Kelly >
      • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Cassandra Lee
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Kevin Maltsberger >
      • Rebecca Maney
      • Lisa McGuire
      • Jane Mouttet
    • Rick Norris
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
      • Susan Poll
      • Mary Polyakov
    • Kathryn Sadakierski >
      • Kimberlee Sams
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Rob Seabrook
      • Erin Stevenson
      • Emily Stephens
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Sarah Speck
      • Amy Smelser
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Nora St. Laurent
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Nikita Wells >
      • Tina Williams
      • Ewurabena Wilson
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood
  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission Statement
      • FAQ'S
      • Review Us!
    • Contact
  • For Writers
    • Resources
  • Interviews
    • Interview Submissions
  • Reviews
    • Book Submissions
    • Become a Reviewer >
      • Book Reviewer Guidelines
  • Team Members Only
    • Contemporary Fiction
    • Historical Fiction
    • Mystery/Suspense
  • Book of the Month
    • January Nominations
    • February Nominations
    • March Nominations
  • 2022 Book of the Year
    • 2022 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2021 Book of the Year
    • 2021 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2020 Book of the Year
    • 2020 Book of the Year Finalists
  • 2019 Book of the Year
  • 2018 Book of the Year
    • 2018 Finalists
  • Our Reviewers
    • Marta Aldrighetti
    • Karen Baney >
      • Anna Bottoms
      • Ezara Boyce-Swann
      • Kassidi Brewer
      • Sandra Broome
      • Thomas Brown
      • Carolyn Bryant
    • Laura J. Davis >
      • Jeanette Durkin
    • Marie Edwards
    • Susan Feaster
    • Kristina Hall >
      • Joy Hannabass
      • Abigail Harder
      • Adriann Harris
      • Charity Henico
      • Mindy Houng
      • Monica Huyser
    • Christy Janes >
      • Heather L. Jones
    • Raechel Kelly >
      • Linda Klager
    • Beverly Laude >
      • Cassandra Lee
      • Tammy Lunsford
    • Kevin Maltsberger >
      • Rebecca Maney
      • Lisa McGuire
      • Jane Mouttet
    • Rick Norris
    • Lori Parrish >
      • Deanne Patterson
      • Susan Poll
      • Mary Polyakov
    • Kathryn Sadakierski >
      • Kimberlee Sams
      • Connie Porter Saunders
      • Rob Seabrook
      • Erin Stevenson
      • Emily Stephens
      • Katelyn Sponaugle
      • Sarah Speck
      • Amy Smelser
      • Paula Shreckhise
      • Nora St. Laurent
    • Laura Thomas >
      • Winnie Thomas
    • Billi Varela >
      • Diana Varela
      • Elisha Varela
      • Juanita Varela
    • Nikita Wells >
      • Tina Williams
      • Ewurabena Wilson
      • Conny Withay
      • Cheryl Wood

Book Reviews​

1/30/2023

0 Comments

unJoy

 
Picture
Author: Len Lantz, M.D.
Genre: Christian Living
Release Date: May 29, 2022
Publisher: Resource Publications


You can become fully free from depression.

Depression is real. It’s not your fault if you have it, but it is your responsibility to do something effective about it. Although depression is often stigmatized or ignored, Christians commonly experience it.

While it can sometimes feel like there are no solutions and that you can never escape depression, that isn’t true. In this easy-to-read book, Dr. Len Lantz addresses aspects of faith and mood while providing real answers about what works for depression and why.

In unJoy, Dr. Lantz shares engaging stories, common-sense reasoning, research-proven treatments, entertaining cartoons, and biblical encouragement for Christians struggling with “unJoy” and for their loved ones. There is hope and help for depression!

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Reviewer: Thomas Brown

This is a review of the book UnJoy by Dr. Len Lantz, MD.  I received a review copy courtesy of Dr. Lantz through Interviews & Reviews.

First, I should let you know my review, though not from a professional, does come from one who has experienced significant depression for most of my life.  I am serious about promoting the Gospel of God's grace and getting/staying well mentally.

This is a review from the trenches, written for people like me who battle this illness and those who support us.  UnJoy was written to be practical, and I greatly appreciate its insights. Only wishing I'd had them over a decade ago when I'd started my own professional treatment.

Dr. Lantz is himself a Christian and a psychiatrist, so his insights have the benefit of a viewpoint balancing multiple treatment options with Christian spiritual concerns.  UnJoy was written to give hope to Christians suffering under not only the weight of depression but the uber-spiritual stigmas that keep us stuck and shamed.  Many of us have heard the voice of Job's friends telling us that if we only had more faith or dealt with some sin, we wouldn't suffer.  Voices that tell us that receiving treatments like medication or therapy is somehow wrong.  I appreciate Dr. Lantz addressing such concerns.

While not everything in UnJoy is new to me, I believe it would benefit one new to psychiatric care and ease the same struggle I experienced with an overly cautious perspective.  I am giving UnJoy five stars due to the fact that the same treatments it recommends work for me on a daily basis.

I should also offer Dr. Lantz my apologies as this review was due some time ago, but, as I've said, my review is from the trenches–since receiving my copy, I was evicted from my housing and have been managing my spiritual and mental health from a homeless shelter.  My opinion is my own.


Picture
Reviewer: Kevin Maltsberger

Depression is something many Christians deal with, and not many are willing to talk about. Dr. Len Lantz wrote the book unJoy, and it was a very welcome addition to my collection.

I am grateful to Dr. Lantz for giving me an open and honest book that isn't afraid to look depression right in the eye and challenge it to back down. Depression is a real pain, and this book gave me a real challenge and purpose on how to deal with it.

Integrating faith with his professional experience provides unique insight and hope for readers. The book was easy to read, with great examples of how to directly face and deal with issues. The questions at the end of each chapter provided a great and thought-provoking reaction and helped me to understand and face the challenge. Dr. Lentz's easy and comfortable language never feels like he's talking down to the reader, and his humility shines through.

So many times, depression is looked at with shame, but this book helps to negate that stigma and gives easy-to-understand drawings that are humorous and informative. His writing covers how medication and counseling are sometimes needed and where God lies in our struggle. 

I really enjoyed that there was a section for friends and family members of those dealing with depression. This book belongs in so many offices, houses, and churches.

I highly recommend this book and encourage the reader to go in with an open mind. His simple drawings, humble demeanor, and well-researched information are a welcome addition to a book that so many need to read.

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.


Picture
Reviewer: Rob Seabrook

In the US, there are apparently 7 million Christians with depression. So no doubt there are proportionally similarly large numbers across other countries. Depression is a condition we have all encountered for a season or a long-term battle, whether personally or in those we love.

When coupled with a faith that, by its very nature, encourages joy or, in fact, expects it as an inherent fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit, the stigma of depression amongst Christians can be huge, even adding to the depth of suffering.

Len Lantz is clearly an expert physician specialising in treating people with depression and being a man of faith who can address that angle too. His advice is balanced, sensible and applicable, outlining the many practical steps to address the challenges of depression, whether the sufferer is a believer or not. It should also be welcome advice and support for the many Christians suffering from depression.

The book includes many Biblical pointers and is entirely wrapped in love, care and a desire to see everyone healed … it has a sound Christian attitude towards dealing with the problems, whether that solution comes from medical or spiritual support … ideally both.

There is also a reassuringly honest thread acknowledging that a sufferer of depression may experience stagnation or even a crisis of faith. At the very least, faith becomes more of a struggle. Sufferers are encouraged to persist, as faith can be a great source of strength. It is also an area where others can step into the breach and advocate until the sufferer is ready to pick it up again for themselves.

Most of all, the book highlights the need for all sufferers to not be ashamed. There is no failure. Having depression does not make you any less of a believer. It is a really helpful read to equip us to deal with the issues properly and, most of all, to not suffer alone. Seek help.

Len deals sensitively with the topics of treatments, talking therapies and medicines, fully aware of the way Christians can sometimes respond to both. There are many useful signposts to other resources if you need further information.

Throughout, Len stresses the importance of getting the right treatment for the correctly diagnosed condition. If this is an issue that affects you, then please seek help and support. It can’t be God's will that anyone should be left suffering and alone.

I received a review copy courtesy of the author through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed


    Categories

    All
    Action/Adventure
    Amish Fiction
    Anthology
    Bible Study
    Biblical Fiction
    Children
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church History
    Contemporary Fiction
    Contemporary Romance
    Cookbook
    Devotionals
    Dual Time
    Dual-Time
    Fantasy
    Fiction
    Historical Fiction
    Historical Romance
    Inspirational Fiction
    Marketing
    Marriage
    Memoir
    Missions
    Mystery/Suspense
    Poetry
    Prophecy
    Regency Romance
    Romantic Suspense
    Science Fiction
    Self Help
    Self-Help
    Social Issues
    Spiritual Growth
    Spiritual Warfare
    Theology
    Thriller/Suspense
    Time Travel Romance
    Women's Issues
    Young Adult

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016

    We are listed in The Book Reviewers Directory!

Services

Interviews
​Interview Submissions
Reviews
Our Reviewers
Advertise
For Writers
Book Submissions

Support

Contact


© COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Disclaimer
FTC DISCLAIMER: All the books reviewed on this site are given to us for the express purpose of review. They are provided by publishers, publicists, authors and agents. None of our reviewers were required to write positive reviews and none of them were paid monetarily. All opinions are those of each individual reviewer. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”