Book Review: Heal Your Hurting Mind by Craig Groeschel and Wayne Chappelle

Today’s Christian institutions must be prepared to address the mental health needs of those whom they serve. The reality, however, is that most churches, parachurch organizations, and Christian education institutions are woefully unprepared to discuss mental health issues with wisdom, clarity, and charity.

This is what Craig Groeschel and Wayne Chappelle (2026) aim to address in their work, Heal Your Hurting Mind: Biblical Hope for Anxiety, Depression, Burnout, and the Emotions No One Talks About. Groeschel and Chappelle, a pastor and psychologist respectively, begin their book by dispelling common myths that surround mental health conversations in Christian communities. The authors encourage readers to understand that poor mental health is not the result of personal sin; it is merely a common side effect of being human (15). Christian leaders must invest in an exploration of how their institutions can interweave faith and mental health. The book is directed at two audiences: those who suffer from mental health diagnoses and those who lead or love those who do.

In this work, Groeschel provides a Biblical exposition of six key mental health issues and emotions. His work is expounded upon by Chappelle’s clinical wisdom and experience. Groeschel examines the lives of Biblical figures such as David and Jehoshaphat. Through this examination, he shows how today’s mental health diagnoses were present in Biblical times. As a result, the authors provide a warm and approachable introduction to a Christian perspective on mental health issues. Thus, this book will prove to be a valuable resource for Christians seeking to learn more about their own emotions and the mental health of those around them.

In Heal Your Hurting Mind, Groeschel provides an intimate look into his own struggle with anxiety and burnout. Chappelle, a time-tested clinician who has worked with elite military officers and professional athletes, offers perspective as Groeschel’s counselor. Groeschel waives his right to confidentiality in order for Chappelle to share the details of Groeschel’s struggle and growth. This creates an important air of transparency and vulnerability that sets the stage for readers to experience personal growth and healing. Heal Your Hurting Mind stands as a compelling guidebook for people in search of hope in the midst of their own mental health crises. The book likewise serves as a resource-packed toolkit for Christian leaders desiring to lead with compassion and prioritize mental health in their institutions.

One such resource is the authors’ discussion of depression (65-95). The authors highlight the worldwide prevalence of the condition and Christian institutions’ inclination to minimize depression as “no big deal” (67). The authors present seven common causes of depression and look at the condition through the lens of the life of the prophet Jeremiah. In this discussion, Groeschel encourages Christian leaders to acknowledge their need to establish systems that care for people suffering from depression. He posits that loneliness is a key contributor to depression and offers recommendations for institutions that desire to combat loneliness in their classrooms or pews. The authors locate a balm for depression in cultivating a deep sense of purpose. Christian leaders can enter the void of depression and help those whom they lead live with meaning and experience the full life offered by Jesus.

The authors’ discussion on anxiety is likewise beneficial for Christian leaders. Groeschel cites that prescriptions for anxiety medications have quadrupled since 2002 (38). Christian educators daily navigate this reality when they engage with members of Generations Z and Alpha. The unique mental health needs of these generations are unlike generations that have come before them. To this end, Groeschel reminds his readers that “anxiety is not a sin, it’s a signal” (40). Anxiety signals a deeper need that remains unmet. The issue for Christian leaders, therefore, is to identify and address those needs. Chappelle builds upon Groeschel’s foundation and advises leaders to seek opportunities to develop institutional practices that foster resilience and cultivate meaning-making.

Heal Your Hurting Mind achieves what its title suggests; this book shares insightful and influential pastoral counseling interventions for mental and emotional healing. Perhaps this book’s greatest addition to the Christian conversation on mental health is the case for destigmatization it presents. The practical coping mechanisms shared in its pages, such as breathing techniques and centering meditations, will prove to be highly influential in the lives of those suffering from anxiety, depression, uncontrollable anger, and more. The authors’ introductions to these coping mechanisms will be helpful resources for Christian leaders to possess in times of crisis.

While Heal Your Hurting Mind will assist Christians in learning more about mental health issues, the authors’ discussion of trauma is underdeveloped and lacks a robust perspective on the issue. The authors present trauma exclusively as grandiose, violent things that happen to people, such as “witnessing a death or serious injury” or “being mugged” (173).  The authors reference the American Psychological Association’s definition of trauma, but only a small portion of the definition is cited. That portion defines trauma as “a persistent, debilitating emotional response to a painful or distressing event” (173). The authors misrepresent the breadth of what can classify as trauma. Trauma is the occurrence of any situation in which existing coping mechanisms are overwhelmed, and this can include events such as moving to a new city or becoming a parent. As a result of the authors’ presentation of trauma, this section of the book is likely to be overlooked by readers who assume they cannot relate to the dramatic definition presented by Groeschel and Chappelle. Likewise, Christian leaders must build upon the definition of trauma presented in this book and construct a wider understanding of trauma in order to best lead those entrusted to their care.

Heal Your Hurting Mind: Biblical Hope for Anxiety, Depression, Burnout, and the Emotions No One Talks About is published by Zondervan. You may purchase the hardback version, 257 pages, for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $29.99 USD. The book may be located using its ISBN of 978-0-310-36674-4.