The Radiant Midnight: Depression, Grace, and the Gifts of a Dark Place

“There is that wisdom tradition that runs through our greatest stories that goes something like this: The thing you need the most can be found in the place you least want to look. The knights of the round table begin their quest for the holy grail by stepping into the part of the forest that looks darkest to them. The hero descends into the underworld to find the treasure guarded by the dragon. Luke Skywalker confronts his shadow self in a dark cave in Dagobah. The dark places hold the treasures of truth and wisdom that will lead us where we need to go.

“But it’s scary to go it alone and without a compass. So Melissa offers herself as a fearless tour guide into the unknown and gives us this compassionate book about her own journey into the dark to serve as handrails for those of us who find ourselves, willingly or not, descending into the underworlds of depression, pain, anxiety, and beyond to find the riches they hide.

“Henri Nouwen has said that a spiritual leader is one who walks into the darkness first in order to lead others through it. In this book, Melissa has demonstrated strong, loving, and trustworthy leadership.”
—Jason Gray, singer and songwriter

“Melissa’s voice and story are precious gifts to the church because they bear witness to the reality that the Christian narrative doesn’t always follow the path of celebration and triumph. For those of us whose lives are more a testament to darkness, suffering and survival, we too need to be reminded that our stories also belong to those of the family of God. The Radiant Midnight does this beautifully and honestly, offering compassionate and challenging insights along the way.”
—David C. Wang, ThM, PhD, associate professor of psychology, Biola University; pastor of spiritual formation, One Life City Church

“As a woman who has experienced a good bit of her life in the midnight hours, I’m grateful for another voice that tenderly and candidly calls attention to a subject many Christians have ignored. Melissa doesn’t just set the subject in front of you, but she digs deep and encourages you to push harder against the darkness than you may have ever dared to do. She combines Scripture, research, and her personal struggles in a way that will leave you with a new understanding of the heart of God for his children. Many of us (including myself) have felt unqualified for ministry because of our struggles with this invisible ache, and The Radiant Midnight reminds us of the glorious light that’s worth fighting for.”
—Angie Smith, bestselling author of Seamless, Chasing God, and What Women Fear

“I so appreciate Melissa Maimone’s honesty and unique perspective on battling depression and anxiety. She skillfully weaves King David’s life and words with her own, giving the reader space to battle fear, worry, and heavy sadness—yet with hope. If you’re facing your own midnight, find solace and light in these hard-won words.”
—Mary DeMuth, author of Healing Every Day

“Radiant Midnight is an oxymoron—a combination of two contradictory terms that invite a curious mind to explore the wisdom that might hold them together. In this way, ‘radiant midnight’ now establishes its place in a lexicon that has illuminated other impossible truths like ‘sweet sorrow,’ ‘wounded healer,’ or ‘terrible goodness.’ Through her achingly personal journey, Melissa sets the night on fire with the radiance of unrelenting love, revealing what we can never see or feel when we are in the dark—God is already there.”
—Nicole Johnson, author of Creating Calm in the Center of Crazy and Fresh Brewed Life; founder of Seasons Weekends

“Melissa’s vulnerability, humor, and depth make her one of our favorite voices to hear on some of life’s harder topics. Her story and wisdom have helped illuminate the treasure to be found in our own dark places.”
—Katherine and Jay Wolf, coauthors and cofounders of Hope Heals

“Melissa entered my world during a period of intense suffering and I cannot believe it was by chance. I struggled to find comfort, meaning, and hope amidst the darkness—and Melissa’s words offered just that. Mercifully, she doesn’t hand out Band-Aids or tidy answers. Rather, she invites us to listen for the story of redemption that God is writing for each of us, even as we wait for the light.”
—Jen Wise, author of The Bright Life

“Melissa spoke to my soul! Like a good therapist, she sits with you in your pain and teaches you how to sit with your own darkness. Melissa’s book speaks to anyone who struggles with any type of darkness in their life—and that would be all of us! She so accurately and vulnerably portrays the shame of the shadow that most of us feel but can never put into words. But instead of condemnation, Melissa gives a wonderful combination of humor, heart, and hope in your darkest of times.”
—Dr. Zoe Shaw, host of The Dr. Zoe Show podcast