Always, Only Good: A Journey of Faith Through Mental Illness

Always, Only Good: A Journey of Faith Through Mental Illness is a powerful account of the complications and unpredictability that mental illness brings, and how God is steadfast through it all. This is not a medical book. It is a series of journal writings and insights that Shelly Hamilton compiled as she and her husband Ron journeyed through the countless challenges of mental illness with Jonathan. This is a poignant collection of real-life situations that are often hidden. Shelly pulls back the curtain and allows readers to join her on this journey.

Shelly explained why she shared these personal journal notes and other insights: "My motivation for writing Always, Only Good has been multi-purposed: to share my son’s journey because of my great love for him; to give others gazing from the sidelines a snapshot view into the life of someone living with mental illness and thereby help them be better supporters; to impart how I personally discovered God is good through and because of mental illness; and to assure those dealing with mental illness that they are not alone."

At the time this book was written, Shelly's husband, Ron ("Patch the Pirate") was facing early-onset dementia. Ron Hamilton passed away in April 2023, leaving Shelly, their adult children, and several grandchildren. Even with sorrow upon sorrow, Shelly continues steadfast in faith, trusting God with the story of her life. This book would make an excellent book club selection, bringing the sensitive subject of mental illness to light with the goal of helping others.

© 2021 by Majesty Music. Hardcover book: 252 pages. No part of this work may be reproduced, shared, or copied in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher. All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible: King James Version.

Tags: Ladies Bible Studies, Christian Book Clubs, Mental Illness and Christianity, Christianity and Mental Illness, Biblical Counseling