Category Archives: Depression

Four servants of God who battled fierce despair

Posted on March 5, 2020 by

Four servants of God. Each one reached an extremely low point in life. All of them felt that life was no longer worth living. Continue reading →

Posted in Abuse, Addiction, Anger, Anxiety, Assurance, Bitterness, Broken Relationships, Call to ministry, Character, Childhood trauma, Christian life, Comfort, Complaceny, Conceit, Conflict, Contentment, Crisis, Depression, Despair, discouraged, Discouragement, Divine Lottery, Doubt, Elders, elders in the Church, Emerging Leaders, Emotions, Encouragement, Failure, Faith, Fear, feeling hopeless, Freedom, God's Patience, God's Heart, God's Love, Grace, Gratitude, Grieving, Hope?, Kindness, Leadership, Life of a pastor, Loss, marriage problems, Meaning of life, Mercy, Middle life, Mind Renewal, Nihilism, Pain, Pastors, personal, Praise, Prayer, purpose, Questioning God, Repentance, Sadness, Seeking God, Selfishness, Spiritual Detox, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Suicide, Temptation, Trials, Truth, Victory, Walking with God, Will of God, Wisdom, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Conversation with my medical doctor

Posted on May 18, 2019 by

How adequately can a diagnosis be made in such a short amount of time? And how often do we misdiagnose normal sadness as disordered sadness?
Continue reading →

Posted in Depression, Despair, discouraged, Discouragement, Wisdom | Tagged | 1 Comment

The expanded role of medical doctors

Posted on December 10, 2018 by

Although doctors are primarily charged with caring for physical health, over the last three to four decades, doctors have been called to take the role that was once reserved for a different profession. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety, Biopsychology, Christian Counselor, Counseling, Depression, Despair, Doctor, Holistic ministry, Medicine, Neuroscience, Psychology, Social work, sociology, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

My first funeral (a suicide)

Posted on December 8, 2018 by

There was standing room only at the funeral parlor as I faced some rather austere men and women dressed in the old black garb common to conservative Mennonites. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Counselor, Counseling, Depression, Despair, Eternal life, feeling hopeless, Funeral, Hope?, Life of a pastor, Sadness, Suffering, Suicide, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The power of giving thanks

Posted on November 23, 2017 by

Loss of thankfulness is often a gradual thing that takes the joy out of our lives as we slip into mediocrity. But the rhythm of divine renewal beats in the pulse of a purposefully grateful heart. There’s nothing timid or boring about a life of extravagant gratitude! Be brave and embrace the call to be an extravagantly grateful person. Continue reading →

Posted in Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Despair, discouraged, Discouragement, Gratitude, Resentment, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Wisdom | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Feeling discouraged?

Posted on November 10, 2017 by

We all know what it is like to feel discouraged. Take a moment and consider four recommendations for times of discouragement. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety, Assurance, Burnout, Christian worldview, Comfort, Defeat?, Depression, Despair, discouraged, Discouragement, Encouragement, Eternal life, Eternal security, Fear, Fear of death, God's Love, Grieving, Hope?, Mercy | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Stop fighting a fight that’s already been won

Posted on May 26, 2016 by

“All my life I have been called unworthy — Named by the voice of my shame and regret.”

If you feel this way, here’s a great song with a great message just for you! Continue reading →

Posted in Defeat?, Depression, discouraged, Discouragement, Gospel-centered, Salvation, Security of salvation, Video, Wisdom, worship song | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Why does it feel so hard to live for God?

Posted on July 31, 2015 by

How are you doing? Feeling exhausted and weak? Helpless? Maybe hopeless?
You are in a good place for seeing … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian life, Depression, Despair, discouraged, Discouragement, feeling hopeless, Hope?, Pain, Sanctification, Spiritual growth, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Five life-controlling perspectives

Posted on March 17, 2015 by

Perspective is a key word when it comes to the quality of life. It’s also something important to God’s will for our lives. One of the primary practical functions of Scripture is the way it shapes our perspective. Continue reading →

Posted in 18 Year factor, Anger, Assurance, Change, Christian worldview, Complaceny, Complaining, Depression, Discouragement, God's Love, God's Will, Gospel-centered, Resentment, Scripture, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Walking with God, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Why do I feel so torn?

Posted on February 5, 2015 by

If you are a teacher in the Church or one who influences other followers of Christ, please make sure they understand the painful reality of the tension they will experience and how torn they will feel because of God’s Spirit living in them. The Christian life is one of tension between the already and the not yet. Continue reading →

Posted in Blessed by God, Christian life, Christian worldview, Christianity, Church Leadership, Conflict, Contentment, Depravity, Depression, Despair, Discouragement, Doubt, Encouragement, Eternal life, Eternal security, Faith, God's Patience, God's Heart, God's Love, Gospel, Gospel-centered, Guidelines for living, Holy Spirit, Hope?, Meaning of life, Pastors, Salvation, Sanctification, Spirit filled, Spiritual growth, Spiritual inventory, Spiritual transformation, Suffering, Temptation, Trials | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments