How A Former Abortion Doctor Became Pro
As an abortion doctor at Planned Parenthood, Dr. Patti Giebink believed she was helping women. Later, she began reading scripture and God gradually changed her heart on the abortion issue. Patti tells the story of her long journey from abortion doctor to pro-life and encourages listeners to share the message of life with compassion.
Moms Raising Sons To Be Men
Mothers of boys have the special calling to shape future men of God. Popular speaker Rhonda Stoppe, mom to two sons, knows this opportunity is a challenge, a joy, and probably the most important work of a womans life. Drawing from years of experience, this inspirational resource will revive the faithfulness and fortitude a woman needs to partner with God as they shape the character and heart of a future godly man.
The Neuroscience Behind This Approach And Why They Get Stuck
Clinical research shows that people living with depression and/or anxiety have an overactive amygdala . In prolonged states this disrupts the brains ability to process thoughts and balance moods staying stuck in fight, flight, or freeze mode and it leads to physical fatigue.
The counsel to keep “fighting the good fight” is re-triggering the amygdala to stay in high alert and increases more scrupulous thinking to find the cause . Then, its trying to find the right spiritual fix formula to, first, get right with God and if its enough second, then God will release a blessing to remove the pain. Adrenaline may be so high in this effort that they may experience relief but it quickly returns with disappointment. In tears, after seeing no results the questions end up being,
“I’m doing everything I can, God where are you?
God why are you so silent what am I doing wrong?
God why are you not helping me God, please?”
Faith feels dim and completely exhausting!
But, there is another, and more positive, way to look at this to find comfort and actually experience more relieving hope.
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How To Fight Depression 4 Ways For Christians To Be Healed And Delivered
Its time to fight depression, the Christian way. Here are four must-try methods that can bring you relief from the ever depressing world that surrounds.
Lets be honest, this world is hopelessly depressing. With everything from the world news to personal drama, its hard not to get weighed down by all the chaos. If you are a truth seeker and are able to see past the illusions of this world, its easy to get depressed. People may not understand the truth you try to expose them to, you may feel superficial conversation is boring, you may even get ridiculed for your beliefs. To put it simply, seeking the truth is a trying path.
And with depression being a slippery slope, once you have slid down into its all consuming pit, it feels impossible to find your way out. If you are in a depressive slump right now, Im calling out to you to tell you there is a way out. You dont have to stay where you are, you havent been abandoned and your depression doesnt make you abnormal.
As a Christian, there are ways to get out of depression that dont require you to take prescription drugs or see a professional. Here are seven Christ-led ways to be delivered from depression:
How To Treat Depression: Some Practical Tools
Figuring out how to treat depression without medication is best approached holistically. We are holistic beings, with a body, mind, soul , and spirit. Maladjustment in any one of these areas can cause anxiety or depression.
Body
The Problem:
Tools to work against it:
Mind
The Problem:
We are what we repeatedly think. If every time I make a simple mistake, an inner voice says Idiot! or Youre useless! then I am constantly running myself down for being human.
If I listen to the news every day and lose my hope for humanity, or start to feel doomed, or suffer hardships and allow them to move me toward hopelessness, I am accepting a negative interpretation of a future that is not written yet.
Tools to work against it:
Soul
The Problem:
Spirit
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We Should Show Active Love For God And Others
Love for God and others is essential because we all at some time or another find ourselves sucked into a vortex of morbid self-involvement, which keeps us from following the heavenly prescription given by the Great Physician, the medicine that many need above all else .
Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest? He said to him, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.
Matthew 22:36-40
When we begin to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and demonstrate love to others, we find true hope in God’s active love.
Friends Partners And Lovers: What It Takes To Make Your Marriage Work
Most marriages survive by gritting teeth and holding on. But marriages can and will not only survive but thrive when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another. Those are the powerful words of bestselling author Gary Thomas in his newest bookCherish. And in a world desperate for marriage redemption, it is needed now more than ever. Thomas shows that although there are a countless number of marriages consisting of two people just going through the motions, there are real ways this pattern can be reversed: when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another in proven, loving, and everyday actions and words.
Newest Release – Episode 2: Heroes Providing Hope
Discover the amazing work our PRCs Directors, Nurses, and Volunteers are making in their communities! Youll see firsthand testimonies of a PRC in action, and that there are other options outside of abortions! Youll also discover how your family can support your local PRC!
Yes, I Promise to Pray for the Pre-born and Their Moms!
Will you pray for the pre-born and moms that are facing unexpected pregnancies? We will send you a 7-day prayer guide that will help guide you along this journey with us!! You can even choose to receive this great resource by text!
Newest Release – Episode 4: Sometimes the Choice is Hard
Yes, I Promise to Pray for the Pre-born and Their Moms!
Newest Release – Episode 3: The Power of a Picture
Yes, I Promise to Pray for the Pre-born and Their Moms!
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Reinforce The Grace Of Belonging To Inspire Change Vs Spiritual Fighting To Get More Blessings
For someone struggling with depression, anxiety, and other challenges, this mindset of fighting to get Gods blessings for personal breakthrough or to keep the enemy at bay leans more toward, “behavior rewards belonging ,” as opposed to a healthier view of “belonging inspires behavior.”
When we face challenges like depression, anxiety, or any mental or emotional challenges we will naturally start to question ourselves, God, others and introspectively look for whats wrong .
However, our identity in/with Christ is not a behavior issue, its always on the basis of our relationship with and in Jesus our constant belonging and connectedness to Jesus no matter our condition, period!
Gods unconditional love gives us an unconditional identity in Him no matter the condition, period!
Think about it this we always act accordingly to the people we are connected to. My wife and I deeply love our children and when they have made mistakes and go through painful hurts in life, we actually draw closer and even run after them and we cant stop thinking about them. In fact, I have a specific and special ring and text tone just for my family – Im always available to respond ! When they suffer, we help them figure and sort things out so they learn and are empowered. We dont pull away, make them cry out to us for help, or make them work for our attention to bless them because they are always unconditionally loved and bear an unconditional identity of always being our children!
Gods Beauty For The Bored Busy And Depressed
There are promises deeper and more powerful than your pain and depression.
This interview with Dane Ortlund addresses several broken conditions of the human heart by highlighting how Gods beauty brings freedom and healing in our busyness, temptations, boredom, and depression. In the last section of the article , Ortlund offers six pieces of pastoral counsel to the depressed. And its all presented through the lens of Jonathan Edwardss preaching and ministry.
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Happiness And Joy Arent The Same
Rejoice in the Lord always again I will say, rejoice. Philippians 4:4
Lets face it, we dont always feel like smiling. So whats more Christ-like? Putting on a fake face or walking around in gloom?
Thankfully, theres a middle ground. Emotionslike happinesschange like the ocean waves. But beneath the crashing crests, you can have a deep undercurrent of joy.
On days when happiness seems in short supply, lean into joy. The Psalmists often grapple with that tensionbetween the call to rejoice and daily struggles. Put language to your hearts cries read the Psalms and connect with their words, inspired by God Himself.
> > Read: Psalm 139
Identifying Triggers In Your Marriage Part 1
They were both convinced they had married the wrong person. From almost the very beginning of their marriage, Amber and Guy Lia experienced various tensions and personality clashes related to house cleaning, backseat driving, workaholism, and intimacy. In this two-day Focus on the Family broadcast, Amber and Guy discuss how they bravely faced the triggers head-on, and committed to working on their own relationships with Jesus. As you listen to the Lias story, youll feel hope that you, too, can see real marriage transformation!
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Other Things To Avoid Depression
This magazine claims to answer all your problems. In fact, its claims are empty. The only people left really smiling are the magazine companies. There have been recent studies that claim a link between depression, rising male suicide rates and the massive increase in soft porn magazines. Even magazines like GQ dont contain much useful. Young men especially, do not read this stuff. It is not designed to seduce the stable but the unstable people who arent aware of soft porns addictiveness. It will leave you feeling insecure. Exactly what we dont want as christians! Insecure is not attractive.
How To Treat Depression Without Medication
Before we talk about how to treat depression, we need to agree on what kind of depression we are talking about. Severe depression with feelings of hopelessness and/or suicidality may be a brain chemistry issue, and for this or other reasons often will not respond to self-treatment.
There is, however, a spectrum of depression that is more manageable for the sufferer, from mild feeling blue or the blahs to more medium severity where you dont feel like doing anything, dont want to get up in the morning, or cant see anything of value in your life. If you have this kind of mild to moderate depression, there are tools that can help manage it.
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Tactics 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan For Discussing Your Christian Convictions
In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. In Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition, Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to artfully regain control of conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. Youll learn how to stop challengers in their tracks and how to turn the tables on questions or provocative statements. Most important, youll learn how to get people thinking about Jesus.
Christian Counselors Are Ready To Help
Christian counselors are ready to talk with you today in a judgment-free environment. You are not alone and you do not have to battle this alone either. Now is the time to find someone you trust and begin the journey to actively fight depression. Find someone who will be by your side no matter what. Reach out today to a trusted friend, family member or professional. Help is only a phone call or text away.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE
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Unresolved Issues Root Causes
However, any medications should be used with caution. Virtually any medicine has some side effects. Drugs can mask the symptoms, allowing you to ignore root causes. Some people may use antidepressants to avoid approaches that require you to deal with other unresolved issues. It seems easier to pop a pill. A general rule of thumb is to try other strategies first, unless the depression is so severe that the person endangers themselves or finds themselves unable to participate in other therapies.
Depression is a complex area, and severe problems of depression deserve the attention of a pastor or other counselor.
Dr. John Bechtle
- Lean heavily on the power of Gods Word.
- Rest confidently in the presence of Gods Spirit. Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance .
See the good book Healing for Damaged Emotions for more details)
Supplied by David Seamands
- Are there biblical examples of depression and how to deal with it? Answer
- How can I be and feel forgiven? Answer
- If God forgives me everytime I ask, why do I still feel so guilty? Answer
- I think I was sexually abused, but Im not sure. What Is sexual abuse, and what can I do to stop the trauma I am facing now? Answer
- Im ugly. Why was God so unfair to me this way? Answer
- If God knows I am hurting, why doesnt He help me? Answer
- Are you thankful to God? GO
- What does the Bible say about suicide? Answer
Misconception: People With Depression Are Unstable And Cannot Be Trusted With Church Leadership Or Responsibilities
Variation: Depression is an indication of unconfessed sin or weak faith, so people with depression are not fit for leadership.
Reality: Depression and other mental illnesses do not disqualify people from leadership or church roles. Experiencing depression can give people compassion or perspective in a way that actually makes them excellent leaders.
Some people may need to step back from certain roles during times of deep depression, but others who struggle with depression are perfectly capable of serving and even leading in ministry activities.
Radical dependence on God is crucial not only for surviving depression but also for ministry and leadership.
This is especially true when people are seeking treatment or have depression that is well controlled. Though depression, like many medical conditions, may be a lifelong struggle, people often learn to cope well with resources like counseling and medication.
Suffering is a universal experience, so church leaders need to be well-equipped to care for people who are going through hardship. When youve walked with God through something as difficult as depression, it gives you a greater ability to walk with others through difficult times.
Not only can depression increase a persons level of compassion and empathy, it can also provide a new perspective on life that equips them for Christian leadership.
Radical dependence on God is crucial not only for surviving depression but also for ministry and leadership.
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Misconception: Depression Is A Punishment From God
Variation: If you feel depressed, its because you have unconfessed sin.
Reality: Depression is not the fault of the person who is suffering. It is a difficult trial that can refine someones faith, but its not a punishment for sin.
Once, after I shared my testimony with a group of students at my university, a friend came up to me and said, When I feel like that, I try to figure out what Ive done wrong that I need to confess. The comment, while totally inappropriate, was actually meant to be a helpful piece of advice, not a judgment.
Even in Jesus day, people were eager to ascribe blame for illness and disability, but He challenged their assumptions. We see this in John 9:1-3 .
As Jesus was walking along, He saw a man who had been blind from birth. Rabbi, His disciples asked Him, why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents sins?
It was not because of his sins or his parents sins, Jesus answered. This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
The assumption that depression or any mental illness is a punishment for sin is just as faulty as the disciples assumption that the mans physical blindness was a result of sin.