Mental Health Meets Faith
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Yesterday, I applied the delete function to my to do list. I went through and deleted items I hadn’t actually done yet, only leaving behind what was absolutely essential. Why? Because if I’m honest, although I have the desire and heart […]
Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:23-26) In our culture of “go, go, go” […]
And now what the law code asked for, but we couldn’t deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us. Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust Gods action in them find that God’s Spirit is in them-living breathing God! (Rom. […]
Recently, I wrote a creative piece entitled Letting Go of Control and Splashing into Life. This piece was birthed out of a recent experience I had, during which I felt the Lord speaking to me about the role control has played in my life. This was not a new theme for me, as I have dealt with “control freak” tendencies over the span of my life. However, it did uncover a new layer of a familiar subject and brought […]
I stand at the precipice of all that’s comfortable and familiar. Around me are trees that tower over me. They create shade that block out discomfort. Through their leaves and branches, I can still see glimpses of light streaming through. The shade keeps me from experiencing the full strength of the sun and keeps everything around me shrouded just enough that I can hide away in my comfort zone. As I stare out over the edge of the cliff, […]
I have just returned from a much-needed vacation with my husband. Some breaks feel like a luxury and are nice to have. Others are badly needed. This break belonged in the second category for me. This season finds me in the last year of my grad program, the first semester of an off-site internship, and various other responsibilities and opportunities. It’s a truly good season, albeit a busy and stressful one. In this season, I am learning about my limitations. I […]
As we dive into the topic of rest, let’s consider the things that distract us from the rest that God has designed for us. For many of us, it’s simply the problems and challenges of life. We face storms, battles, and giants that loom over us. There are circumstances in our lives that threaten to rob our security, our peace, and our joy. We struggle with fear and insecurities. And we know this isn’t how things were meant to be. […]
Today, pressure, busyness, and a sense of not being quite enough hit me. The calendar is too full. There is not enough time to make time for everyone I want to make time for and to do everything I should do. Let alone the things I want to do. I can’t please everyone. I’m not eating well enough. I haven’t exercised enough. How can I be all and do all? How? When thoughts like this swirl around in my mind, I know it’s time […]
At the start of this year, as I began to read through Genesis, I came upon these familiar words, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day, he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done” (Gen. 2:2-3). I started to think about the idea of sabbath. In the […]
As I am writing this, it is September 29. I started graduate school this month. With the start of school, many of my lofty goals have gone out the window and much of my time is spent with a highlighter and a book in my hand. Although in my academic past, I have prided myself on being able to do it all and to achieve with flying colors, I have come to the rude awakening that this time […]