Mental Health Meets Faith
One thing I have learned from my clinical therapy experience is that the phones tend to ring as the cold weather settles in and the rush of the holiday season commences. There is something about this season, though wonderful, that can usher in feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety and amplify already tense relational and familial circumstances.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. (Isa. 61:3) When I think about the woman that I desire to be, rooted is a word that resonates deeply with me. When the storms of life come (and they do), my desire is to be a woman whose roots are dug so deep that I am ultimately unshakeable. I recognize that throughout our lives, every storm, trial, or […]
To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isa. 61:3) Beauty, joy, praise…. would you say these words describe some of the core ingredients of your life, as it stands today? I can recall long seasons of my life where I felt these words were far from me. There have been times in my life that […]
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Ps. 34:18) I was sick to my stomach over Tuesday’s news. 22 lives lost. 19 precious babies. 2 teachers. 1 troubled 18 year old boy. I have no children of my own, but I cherish my 3 beautiful nieces. My husband and I are looking forward to having a baby of our own. As such, I have been doing a […]
You become my delicious feast even when my enemies dare to fight. You anoint me with the fragrance of your Holy Spirit; you give me all I can drink of you until my heart overflows. So why would I fear the future? For your goodness and love pursue me all the days of my life. Then afterward, when my life is through, I’ll return to your glorious presence to be forever with you! (Psalm 23:5-6) In many ways, Thanksgiving […]
This morning as I was driving to church the beauty of the day struck me. The sky was amazingly bright and blue. I found myself thanking God and filled with joy. Along the ride, I began to notice that up ahead were massive gray clouds that appeared as a wall before me. Even though I was surrounded by blue sky, clouds loomed up ahead. As I arrived at my destination, at first glance, I could no longer see the sun. Dark […]