In my last post I offered a basic sketch of the cognitive-behavioral model of psychological distress. By way of quick, pithy review: the way you THINK gives rise to the way you FEEL and BEHAVE. So, understanding our thoughts is important if we want to understand our feelings and behaviors.
So I am sure you know that there is no conflict between science and revelation. If I asked, you would tell me that when science discovers truth, it cannot conflict with religious revelation because the truths of science and the Church have their source in the same Author. But nevertheless, sometimes it is alleged that “science” disproves/replaces/invalidates religion.
Rather than restate the philosophical debate about whether science has any standing to examine moral truth, much less the transcendent, I thought I would keep it practical. You know, list some scientific findings that cast religion in a positive light. Because there are many. Read More →
In my last post I discussed some considerations that one might take into account as they discern whether they are ready to take psychotropic medication. As a follow-up to that post I want to explore some practical, non-medication related suggestions for coping with anxiety and depression, as well as discuss 10 common thought errors/distortions that cause many of us difficulty. In order to do this, however, It is necessary to provide some background on the various ways psychological disturbances are conceptualized.
Every one of our churches has individuals who struggle with mental disorder. Which only makes sense, because Jesus came to heal the wounded, right? Church should be a magnet for those who want healing. Jesus is a Mighty Healer. And he wants to use YOU and YOUR CHURCH to accomplish his healing work.
This message is not new. Our churches are great at reaching out and caring for people, supporting and healing. Too often, those with a mental illness are the exception. This needs to change. Read More →
A soft golden light, emanating from the hanging, yellowish-gold sconces, illuminated most of the church. The apse was shallow, not extending back very far, it’s vaulted ceiling obscured by a thick, plain, wooden border. The apse was unlit and remained relatively untouched by the light, though the tabernacle was faintly visible in the darkness.
photo by Andrew Mason CC
“Its all in your mind.”
“Its just a chemical imbalance.”
“You just need to turn it over to God.”
All of these are statements that have been made about mental illness. They tend to be made particularly often to individuals whose disorders have not impaired their reason, who still appear “normal”. Those struggling with anxiety and depression may be especially likely to hear views on their mental illness like the ones above. What might the impact of each statement be for an individual who struggles with mental illness? Lets break it down. Read More →