Grief, Depression, And A Pastor’s Comeback Story

A lot of people assume pastors are immune to mental health struggles, but grief does not check your title before it hits. We talk with Pastor Aubrey Richardson of Rivers of Living Water Believers Church in Birmingham, Alabama about losing his father during the COVID era, carrying new leadership weight overnight, and sliding from “I’m fine” into depression, panic, and a moment so dark he called the suicide hotline. It’s an honest, faith-centered conversation that refuses to sugarcoat what emotional pain can look like, even for someone who has preached for decades.We also get practical about what helped him climb back: naming the problem, reaching out instead of suffering in silence, and rebuilding his inner life through steady spiritual rhythms. Pastor Richardson breaks down what he means by walking by faith over fluctuating emotions, why “right hearing” matters, and how scripture meditation, repetition, and spoken truth can reprogram destructive thought habits. Along the way, he explains the core message behind his book Righteous In Christ Hereafter: righteousness is a gift in Christ, your standing with God is not fragile, and your story is not over.If you’re navigating Christian grief, depression support, church leadership burnout, or simply trying to hold onto faith when feelings spike, this one offers both comfort and clarity. Subscribe for more conversations with authors and leaders, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review telling us: what daily practice keeps your mind anchored?