And Yet: Finding Joy in Lament

by Rachael Newham, Patrick Regan OBE (Foreword by)

Overview

In a life full of highs and lows, choice and challenges, the words 'and yet' can change everything. We are surrounded by darkness and yet there is light. We feel we are lacking and yet God provides. We are broken and bruised and yet there is hope.

In the depths of depression and plagued with suicidal thoughts, Rachael Newham never thought she'd find herself writing a book on joy. And yet, if her journey with mental health illness has taught her anything it is that true, deep, lasting joy can only be experienced when we allow ourselves to enter into lament and be honest about our pain before God.

With warm understanding, in this lovely Lent book Rachael traces how Biblical writers used 'and yet' to bring together joy and lament and invites us to see them not as opposites, but two sides of the same coin. Drawing on her experiences with mental illness, she shows us how we can build a rhythm of both joy and lament into our lives both through the season of Lent and the rest of the church's year.

With reflections split over six sections And Yet is the perfect daily Lent devotional, but its undated readings can be used for periods of prayerful reflection throughout the year. This is a beautiful Christian book on lament ideal for anyone looking for to better understand how the tradition of lament and joy work together, and how they can make them a part of their everyday spiritual formation.

We may be living in dark circumstances - and yet with a few simple practices we can experience joy in every season.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281085705
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	11/18/2021
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.12(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)

About the Author

Rachael Newham is the Founding Director of ThinkTwice, a mental health awareness charity and a graduate of the London School of Theology. She is an associate at Mind and Soul, a trainer for selfharmUK, and regularly writes features and articles for Premier Youthwork magazine and Threads.

Table of Contents

Foreword vii

Acknowledgements xi

Introduction 1

1 Advent: waiting 9

2 Christmas: celebrating 27

3 Ordinary Time: grieving 43

4 Lent: lamenting 63

5 Easter: hoping 83

6 Ordinary Time: rejoicing 99

Afterword 119

Notes 123

Editorial Reviews

‘If anyone is qualified to teach on joy, it is someone who has struggled to find it. Rachael Newham beautifully navigates the apparent paradox that deep joy can only flow out of honest lament. Rachael makes joy accessible to people who believe it is beyond their reach.’

‘Lament can often be an uncomfortable topic, yet Rachael bravely and sensitively tackles it head on, showing us the importance of addressing our pain and wrestling with God. This honest account will inspire you towards hope, helping you to find joy in the most unexpected places. I highly recommend this book to anyone who needs to know that there is a "yet" in the midst of their suffering.’

'"And yet" – two little words that bind together the twin realities of grief, depression, sickness and poverty and God’s loving, eternal, comforting presence. Rachael has done fierce battle with her mental health and chosen to remain engaged with God, discovering along the way the gift of lament and the joy to which it gives birth. Make this book your friend – live with it, pray with it, write notes in the margins and let it lead you into the deep heart-knowledge that you are not alone.’

From the Publisher