Mental Health Meets Faith
This past week God has been speaking to me about narratives. As people, we love the power of storytelling. While we might become disengaged when it comes to the facts, we connect with stories. We are engaged, intrigued, inspired. Of particular interest as of late, is the stories we tell ourselves. Whether we realize it or not, there is an ongoing narrative that goes on in our minds. Our narrative strings each event together, every […]
Recently, I left Home. I use the word Home loosely, as a reference to a place I’ve become quite familiar with and one in which I’ve spent much time throughout my life. It’s been a place of safety, one in which I’ve found comfort. Although it has changed throughout the years, it is a place of predictability. In some ways, it has been a place of stability. I run this place, nothing escapes my notice […]
Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Freedom. (2 Cor. 3:17) Yesterday was an ordinary day. I woke up, got ready and went to work. I came home relaxed, made dinner and did some house cleaning, just like I do most Wednesday nights. Although yesterday was just an ordinary day, I found myself bursting with joy and gratitude. I found myself content. I found myself loving life and loving myself. Although yesterday was […]
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. (Jeremiah 17:7) Lately, God has been speaking to me about confidence. It’s a message that He is speaking to me internally and one that has been echoed all around me in this season. Confidence is not something I have had a lot of in my life. No matter how well I performed or how many friends I […]
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. (James 1:6-8) I used to look at this verse so differently. I used to read it something like this: “But when you ask, you better […]
“He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.” (Matt. 28:6) He isn’t here. He is risen. Risen from the dead. Although He took the sin, the disease, the hurt, the pain, the trauma and the wounds of the whole world, He has risen where He is now seated in the Kingdom of love with our heavenly Father. He has risen. Risen […]
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Prov. 31:8-9) Who out there loves confrontation? Not me. Unfortunately, it is a necessary element in growth, maturity and certainly in leadership. Have you ever witnessed something that was clearly wrong or harmful and felt your gut twist as you wondered if you should say […]
“I love each of you with the same love that the Father loves me. You must continually let my love nourish your hearts.” (John 15:9) This Valentine’s Day will be different for me. This time around I’m married. I’ve found my forever person to spend every Valentine’s Day with now going forward. Praise Jesus. And while I am so excited for this new beginning, this morning I find myself reflecting on all the Valentine’s Days […]
If you, imperfect as you are, know how to lovingly take care of your children and give them what’s best, how much more ready is your heavenly Father to give wonderful gifts to those who ask him? (Matthew 7:11) Every holiday and birthday that comes up, a lot of thought and energy goes into thinking about what to get for my husband. My husband does not make it easy for me. I drop hints all […]
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom. 8:37-39) For the last few weeks, I have been writing about […]