Hence My Eyes are Turned Toward You
Confronting Depression with Faith and The Prayer of Jehoshaphat
by
Book Details
About the Book
During the winter of 2001-02, something provoked the "roaring lion" of depression inside me. I probably never will know for certain what triggered the disease.
What I do know is the life that has unfolded these last seven years -- a life with major, chronic depression as a constant companion -- has been much different than I ever would have designed for myself and my family.
To call it a learning experience would be understating that life. Depression is powerfully real. It can be scary, life-threatening, relentless.
As you will read in "Hence My Eyes," all of that and more have been the reality in our home. I wish I never would have had to put my wife, children, family and friends through all the fear, worry and tears.
Still ... dare I say ...
You will read that there actually are times when I feel grateful for the experience.
Everyone, including those who have
to experience the roaring lion’s presence inside themselves every day,
can meet God in a
newer, deeper, more fulfilling way.
By the grace of God, I
have learned that – in part through the biblical tale of
Jehoshaphat, who has become a friend, a role model of sorts, a prayer
partner. In discovering his prayer, I have learned to say it with him. And I say it with him, I think,
in a personal and cooperative way that makes managing a life with depression hopeful and possible.
Maybe you suffer from
depression or love someone who does. Or perhaps you have gone through
something else similarly arduous and stressful, even jeopardizing your
very life itself. Whatever the case, I hope my experience with depression and the Prayer of Jehoshaphat can help carry you to a better place.
About the Author
From the age of 10, Mike Eisenbath knew he wanted to be a professional writer – specifically, a newspaper sportswriter covering the St. Louis Cardinals major-league baseball team for his hometown St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Through 2001, Mike had compiled 18 years as an award-winning writer with the Post. He had covered numerous sports, including baseball for more than a decade. His book "The Cardinals Encyclopedia" remains the most comprehensive history written about the team.
A few months later, Mike had quit his dream job. Though he left the newspaper business for solid reasons – too much time away from the family, an uncertain future for the Post – he didn't give the job change as much consideration as he otherwise would have.
Much of that decision came as a result of Mike's major, chronic depression. Since being diagnosed with the disease that winter, Mike has learned more about depression than he ever would have imagined. He has tried nearly every antidepressant. There have been hospital stays, hours in therapy and many alternatives. Some have worked a little, most not at all.
That he still is around and managing to operate through life most days owes to God and Mike's faith, as well as an incredibly supportive group of family and friends, some medication and therapy.
The battle continues, with some days better and some much worse.
Mike and his wife, Donna, live in
For more information about them, check out http://www.eisenbath.com/.