A message to those who are doubting
Alistair Chalmers
There are moments in the Christian life when faith feels sturdy and sure, and others when it feels as thin as glass. Prayers seem to fall flat. Scripture feels dry. Christian music maybe doesn’t lift your heart as it once did.
For many Christians these seasons can be unsettling, even frightening. We can wonder whether something has gone wrong with our faith, or worse, with us.
Why theology & psychology need to be friends
Dave Burke
Please note: This article contains reference to attempted suicide and mental distress. For help and support, see the bottom of this page.
I ran downstairs to answer the doorbell and found a paramedic waiting, his ambulance on the road behind him with its engine still running.
Pastors get depressed, too
Howard Satterthwaite
In recent years, many of us have become more aware of the toll that emotional, spiritual, and mental struggles can take.
Christian leaders, of course, are not immune. In fact, some of us are quietly limping through discouragement, or even depression, while still seeking to lead with strength and clarity.
God cares about our teenagers' mental health
Sharon Stirman
The rise of anxiety and depression in teenagers is undeniable and evident for all to see.
Teenagers live in a modern, fast-paced world with access to 24-hour news, social media, TV, and gaming. They navigate pressures from peers, school, and even family – all of which can be contributing factors to depression and anxiety.
How much should church leaders engage with psychology?
Dave Burke
Olivia was 16 years old and wouldn’t go to school. It began a couple of years before when she started feeling anxious and those feelings grew until they ruled her life.
Everyone feels anxious some of the time, but Olivia struggled all the time. Her fear had a savage intensity that only subsided when she shut herself away in her room.
Finding a counsellor: Do they have to be a Christian?
As a pastor, when I feel that someone is a bit stuck, I often refer people to a friend who has worked as a professional counsellor for several decades.
Where I have been ineffective by listening or offering some Biblical advice, my friend is often able to help them get un-stuck by asking the right questions and guiding them as they navigate the difficult landscape of their life.