I have previously written on depression as a mental illness, and how because of the “Four Pillar Approach to Mental Health” we can all be helped by these verses on depression whether we are diagnosed as depressed or not. Nothing I say here should be taken as discouraging seeking professional help, as to my mind there is no reason why people cannot simultaneously be helped by promises from God’s word and the wisdom of doctors who were created by God.... Read more
In the next post I will share some verses for the depressed. But looking at what the Bible says about joy is surely a good place to start. I am convinced, to use a title of a sermon that I preached a while back, God wants you to be really happy. The gospel is intended to produce joy in us. This is not to deny the fact however that Christians can get depressed. We must hold in tension that God... Read more
Weariness comes on all of us sometimes. It is important to discern the reason for this. Sometimes it is simply that we need a good night’s sleep. At other times it will be because we have over-burdened ourselves with work, and need to strengthen our four pillars of mental health. Other times there will be a spiritual element to this and we must learn to come to Jesus who is the only one who can give us true rest. At... Read more
Why we sing loudly because our God sings loudly over us! This is a glorious, liberating verse for worship leaders and church members this weekend. God invites us to join in his song! He is rejoicing loudly over you and me this weekend. Why then should we not return the complement and exult over him? Yes, there is also a space for the “quiet” as he promises to calm us with his love. But if the great LORD GOD almighty... Read more
Today I simply want to share some Scriptures with you that tackle fear. Obviously fear is closely related to anxiety. In the passages below I will highlight certain phrases that I think are really important. You may need to meditate on these words for months or years, but in time they will reprogram your mind: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7,KJV) The... Read more
Anxiety is something many struggle with. As with other conditions the best way to handle this is to tackle it on multiple fronts. Today I want to share some Scripture that will help in the fight against this pernicious enemy. Remember these verses are not a magic wand, instead holding on to these promises is a lifetimes work. I have written elsewhere on anxiety as a medical condition, and for some anxiety seems to have almost a mind of its... Read more
I cant think of anything of greater help to us than to cling onto God’s promise of an end to suffering during difficult times. Certainly mental illnesses can be among the hardest things for us to endure, whether we suffer from one ourselves, or it is a loved one. But again we realise that ultimately the solutions the Bible offers us speak to those of us who suffer mental illness and those who don’t alike. Hope is vital. We must be able... Read more
A few weeks ago now, I posted a surprising answer to the “Why me?” question. In that article I essentially make the point that one reason God allows suffering in our lives is so that we will be able to help others. But there are clearly other reasons, and we will never fully understand. One of the important reasons for us to grasp is expressed by Paul in what some have claimed is the finest chapter in the whole Bible,... Read more
One of the causes of weariness is restlessness. God’s solution to this is to give us peace. Again, we go to God with these promises I will share with you in our hands and ask him to give us peace. It does not always come immediately. And there are times when other things may need to be done to help us physicially, mentally, socially or spiritually. But whether God seems to answer immediately or not, these words remain true and... Read more
I hosted a Q and A time with my own pastor Tope Koleoso and Dr Kenneth Ulmer during the 300 Leaders conference. Read more
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