Mental Health

Mental Health

Living As a Blessing in a Time of Struggle

From the very beginnings of the biblical story in Genesis, the Bible envisions God’s people as a means of blessing to the world. This theological principle gives us a good framework to consider what faithfulness looks like on the frontline. We are a means of blessing when we do good work and employ our gifts for the good of others. We are a blessing as we model the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and…

Advent Hope for the Valley (Christmas Devotional)

We find ourselves now in the season of Advent. It’s fitting, really, that we end our Through the Valley series during this season, for I believe it’s in the promise of Advent that we find hope as we walk through whatever valleys life may bring our way. Some, I suppose, may deem the topics we’ve covered over the last several weeks to be “depressing” or too heavy to dwell on for too long. We’ve waded into some deep waters: racism…

Spiritual Formation in the Midst of Chronic Illness (Mary and Peter Frey – The Frey Life)

“Mary, how has having cystic fibrosis affected your relationship with Jesus?” This question from a summer camp nurse sparked Mary Frey’s curiosity years ago. Since then, part of her journey with a chronic illness has been learning how to ask how following Jesus fits into a broken situation. “The illness that I have does not define me, in the sense that it is not the entirety of who I am, what I am, and my purpose in life,” Mary says.…

Can Whole-Life Discipleship Prevent Pastoral Burnout?

In a time when he was struggling personally, someone came up to Drew Thurman after his sermon and said, “I just wish I had your faith.” He says, “I was dying inside, but they equated the fact that I was on a platform, with theological training, presenting the Word in a way that stirred them with a certain spiritual status.” It became a paradigm he knew he had to shake, but not only because he wanted to embrace a vision…

Vaishali’s Faith Story: Stress, Struggle & God’s Closeness

If the video link above is not working, you can watch Vaishali’s faith story here. My name is Vaishali Lucas-Lebron and I live in Lawrence, MA. I always knew God existed. I just could never figure out how to have a healthy relationship with him. It was in late high school-early college when my mental health started depleting. It was then that I would call on God constantly through prayer or reading the Bible, yet I felt this distance between…

Local Christian Counselors (Westford/Chelmsford) & Mental Health Resources

Christian Counselors What follows is a list of counselors and counseling practices that identify themselves as Christian or faith-based. Inclusion on this list does not equal an endorsement of their beliefs, so please review what they believe to determine your comfortability level. Please talk with your pastor if you need a more specific recommendation. Arranged in alphabetical order. Brad Smith, Dr. (781) 862-0555 Lexington Brian Henderson (978) 930-9393 Chelmsford Charis Counseling chariscounseling.us (508) 947-1901 Middleboro, Auburn, Centerville, Holden, South Easton…