Penetrating The Darkness

One thing I appreciate about God's Word is its realism.   Neither narratives nor instructional passages sugarcoat human sin or suffering.  How special to me are those texts that include both lament to and praise of God by someone hurting, even when there seems to...

  Please...if you're a young or middle-aged adult, don't think this post is irrelevant to you.  In what seems like the blink of an eye, Lord willing, you'll eventually be classified an "older adult."   And you probably know an older loved one who is vulnerable...

The Psalms are a lens through which I see a clearer picture of God: His power, sovereignty, compassion, and faithfulness to His people.  The Psalms are also a mirror in which I see myself in the lives and words of the writers:  my doubts, fears, weaknesses, sins,...

Talking to Myself--and Talking Back to Myself!--When Depressed   What follows are snatches of verbal give-and-take I have had with myself in recent years, depicting the inner reality when despondency skews my thoughts and perspectives on life and daily...

You're hurting. Though it's in the middle of a sunny day, you walk in darkness. You think it's hopeless to keep trying, or to keep praying. You're discouraged about failure in a task, or in a relationship. It's difficult to breathe due to the high humidity in your...

Two More Potential Dangers of Depression   After decades of experiencing chronic depression, I'm intimately acquainted with the potential pitfalls.  In my previous post, I identified two: *Depression Spawns Self-Centeredness *Depression Engenders Doubts About...

In my high school cafeteria, I bit down on a hard morsel of food.  I can't imagine a bullet tearing through my cheeks hurting any worse.  The food particle made a direct hit on an exposed nerve in a wisdom tooth with a large cavity. Screaming, I ran from the...

Truths to Encourage Us When We’re Despondent over Lack of Fruit in Ministry   *This is a longer-than-usual post.  But it’s an important one!  Whether you are a serious volunteer (lay Bible teacher, personal witnessing, etc.) or a vocational Christian leader, the...

Don't hoist the wrong conclusion from this post. I detest depression.  I loathe the inertia, the sad countenance, and negative thinking that accompanies most episodes of despondency.  And through spiritual disciplines, counseling, medications--or a combination of...

Another Weapon in the Battle Against Discouragement or Despondency   What is the most honest, transparent prayer you've ever uttered (or screamed)? One that immediately comes to my mind occurred in June, 2003.  I sat in a recliner, alone at home, gripping the...

Introducing You to Chronic Joy Ministry One of the “content categories” for my posts on depression and faith is to familiarize you with helpful resources: books, blogs, and organizations. Today’s post is an interview with the President and Co-Founder of Chronic Joy...

The Story of an Unfinished Poem I haven't ever tried to kill myself, nor have I been whisker-close to doing so.  But I have thought that death would be preferable to living.  A lot of times. When a pall of depression overwhelms me, negative thoughts vie for control...