Is trauma just a trendy psychological buzzword or is it something that desperately needs our attention? The latest research tells us that 70% of people worldwide will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime.* We know our experiences shape us, so it should come to no surprise that many people today are scarred from the wounds of past pain. This makes understanding trauma more crucial than ever before.

In today’s world, stress has become an all-too-familiar companion, but what if it’s not the enemy we think it is? While prolonged stress can exhaust us, not all stress is harmful. In fact, God designed us to handle certain pressures constructively, pushing us to grow.

The real issue arises when stress leads us away from trusting God. What if we viewed stress as a warning light—an invitation to realign our hearts with Him, finding true peace in His provision?

The stigma that once haunted believers who struggle with mental health is fading as pastors and church leaders more readily address such topics with their congregations. In addition, faith-based counseling offered by Christian counselors is becoming easier to find.  But believers can still wonder if their situation warrants the need for formal counseling. Isn’t the care and support of friends, family, pastors, and our faith community enough? These God-given resources are vital, but they aren’t exhaustive. There are times when talking with someone who has more focused expertise may be helpful.

Anxiety is a common issue among children, and it can be difficult for parents to know how to help kids cope with feelings of worry and fear, In this article parents will find ten quick tips to help their anxious child that will help build bridges to gospel-conversations.

After reflecting on Psalm 46:10, it became apparent to me that this simple imperative is far from easy to pull off.  In fact, I think that understanding it and putting it into practice might be one of the more difficult tasks of the Christian life. I have spent the last several years of my life being challenged by it. One particular event in my life stands out as a potent illustration of what the words of this psalm mean.

When your situation feels beyond repair, when a heart seems as cold as ice, when you cannot imagine things turning around, remember this truth: “Nothing will be impossible with God.”Whatever God has promised will come to pass. Even if his plans are not what we expect.

Have you ever been concerned about the long-term impact ministry might have on children? The concern is legitimate. This article is written for parents who are serving in ministry, and it is for the church. We all have a part in raising emotionally healthy ministry kids. 

We live in a divided world. Some days it feels impossible to find common ground. A quick scroll through Facebook or Twitter reveals a handful of topics on which Christians bitterly disagree. In the face of these challenges, Scripture unapologetically calls us to persevere towards unity in Christ.

If you’re serving in ministry, you have likely been encouraged to prioritize your spiritual health. You may have been exhorted to pay attention to spiritual disciplines that will shape you into the best possible leader, teacher, or minister. All of this is good. But spiritual vitality is not the only area of health ministry workers need to pursue. Your emotional health is also essential.

We are addicted to self-sufficiency. Without even realizing it we are all junkies for independence. The beginning of the new year is often a time when this becomes even more evident. It’s the time when we are bombarded with encouragement to reflect and resolve. The hope is that in the New Year we will reach a greater level of self-improvement or attain a lasting commitment to live better. The turning of a year seems to put us on a quest to become all that we wish we could be.

Parents need direction to know when and how to find help when their child is struggling. They also need wisdom to know what emotional health looks like for themselves. Raising Emotionally Healthy Kids is readable and useful– not too long but packed with practical help. It is a balance of biblical wisdom coupled with a clinical understanding of emotional development.

There may not be a more needed book than this one. We live in a culture that is always on and constantly going. We are surviving but exhausted, pushing through but wearing out. Join me on a journey of exploring what it looks like to live a whole and balanced life. Watch this short video to learn more about The Whole Life book.

A person who engages in biblical self-care recognizes the best place to go for refreshment is to the One who restores the soul. It is engaging with God in the ordinary sacred places.

As we move toward a post-pandemic normal, most counselors are still using technology to meet with their counselees. What does this mean for the future of biblical counseling? As we begin to see the lifting and removal of regulations, we ought to consider how technology should fit into the future of our continued care.  

We need to fill our minds with what is accurate and factual regarding ourselves. Since our thoughts shape who we are, we must be concerned with thinking about the truth. When our thoughts accurately reflect the truth of Scripture and we practice meditating on what it says regarding who we are, it changes us permanently.

When your child is sees pornography, it is an opportunity for two things. It is a teaching opportunity, and it is a gospel opportunity.

As a parent I appreciate stories that help children trust God in real-life situations. As a counselor I love resources that can help families turn the challenges kids face into gospel opportunities. God Cares for Me does both!

Here we are again. We have been here before and Lord willing we will be here again. A new year. Why do people make such a big deal about the turn of a calendar day?Celebrating new is a small picture of what we will one day know in full. New is a gift that should be stewarded well. It is a treasure not to be taken for granted.