(Luke 24:13-35) The story of what happened to the disciples Cleopas and an unnamed other on the road to Emmaus in Luke’s Gospel is quite a famous one. The scene is just after the crucifixion – Jesus has, apparently, died. His followers are bereft, and they don’t know what to do. Verse 17 says they […]
Count Your Blessings
October 15, 2012 by 4 Comments
There is a hymn I’ve often heard, on the familiar theme of being thankful for what you have: Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly, And you will keep singing as the days go by. […]
Scrupulosity – Religious OCD
October 13, 2012 by 1 Comment
You may also wish to read my latest blog post on scrupulosity, which goes into more detail – Scrupulosity: Doubt, Obsession and Compulsion. Mental illness often manifests in ways which destroy things we previously enjoyed. Talking with friends becomes difficult in depression, enjoying a night out almost impossible. Our spiritual life suffers as well, as […]
Forgiveness and Mental Health
October 8, 2012 by 2 Comments
The Bible speaks frequently of forgiveness. Jesus taught that we should pray “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12) and explains, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your […]
10 Ways to Cope with Depression
October 2, 2012 by 2 Comments
Including Scripture references. Seek medical assistance. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Mark 2:17) If you are sick mentally, then you need to speak to a doctor, and follow the treatments they give you. This may include medication, therapy, or both. Look beyond. “This too shall pass.” Christian […]
Do Not Worry
October 1, 2012 by 1 Comment
In my life, I fight a constant tendency toward anxiety. I worry about things both rational and irrational, and sometimes those worries twist in me and produce nasty depressions. I have been searching my books for biblical examples of anxiety, and I found an interesting sermon outline in “Sermon Outlines on the Sermon on the […]
Be Still, Be Silent
September 26, 2012 by 1 Comment
“Somewhere we know that without silence words lose their meaning, that without listening speaking no longer heals, that without distance closeness cannot cure.” Henri J.M. Nouwen I suffer from too much brain noise. If I am anxious, if I am depressed, I find that my thoughts run on and on, and the sheer babble of […]
Is Anyone Sick?
September 25, 2012 by 2 Comments
I have been reading from the letter of James, specifically James 5:14-16 and thinking about its ramifications for me, as a person with an illness. James writes: Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. […]
Who You Are in Christ
September 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
I found this on ChristianForums and I thought it was so wonderful I should repost it. When I am feeling down, and doubting myself, hating myself, then this is a great reminder of who I am in Christ. I hope it helps you as much as it helps me: 1 You are able – Philippians […]
G2SI: Recovering
September 15, 2012 by 1 Comment
Let me say this: I feel like a hypocrite writing this. I slipped up, recently, and broke my record of being self injury free. I cannot sit here and write to you that there is an easy way to recover from self harm, that there is a way to banish it forever. I can, though, […]
Believer's Brain 