January 7, 2025
The Army of the Anxious
Anxiety and depression are increasing in America, particularly among the younger generation. It’s time to revisit what the Bible says about worry.
Articles for tag: Depression
December 2, 2024
December 8 Application | Don’t Lose the Wonder
What stirs wonder in your heart? What astonishing facts in nature (or in the Bible, your children or grandchildren, or great music and art) remind you to stand in awe of the Lord?
November 18, 2024
November 24 Application | No More
Sin’s devastating effects have plagued this fallen world ever since the Garden of Eden, but “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13).
August 25, 2024
ALONE AND REJECTED
As we take Communion, let us remember Jesus, who gave everything so we would never be alone or rejected like he was, not even in our darkest nights or our final breaths.
June 24, 2024
New Discoveries on Medical Care for Transgender Youth
Hilary Cass is the leading pediatrician in England’s National Health Services. She recently completed what The Economist has deemed the most significant review “ever undertaken in the field of transgender health.”
January 1, 2024
Weeds in My Garden
HOW A SERMON SERIES ON MENTAL HEALTH BROUGHT HEALING TO A CHURCH A perceived need among church leaders and church members led to a survey on mental health, which led to a dynamic and transformative sermon series. By Clayton Hentzel During the pandemic, I regularly participated in Zoom calls with pastors from across the country. One of those calls was with The Solomon Foundation. Early in the pandemic, Doug Crozier, the CEO of TSF, put counselor Dr. Wes Beavis on retainer. Dr. Beavis briefly shared some mental health tips on each weekly call. He provided everyone with a little help
January 1, 2024
Mental Health Support Important for Those on the Field
By Laura McKillip Wood When Troy and Roma Jean Backhuus started taking short-term mission trips in 1996, they had no idea they were beginning a ministry that would become a huge part of their lives. On that trip and subsequent ones, they witnessed how hard it can be for cross-cultural ministers to get the care they need, including mental health care. Studies indicate the majority of missionaries experience a mental health disorder such as depression, anxiety, or burnout during their time of service. These servants may not have access to counseling, psychiatric services, or even friends to support them in
January 1, 2024
Remembering Mike / A New Team Member / Defaulting to Mercy and Grace
By Shawn McMullen I WRITE MY FIRST COLUMN AS EDITOR of Christian Standard with mixed emotions. As humbled and grateful as I am to have been given this opportunity to serve Christ and our fellowship of churches, I continue to mourn the loss of the former editor, my friend Mike Mack. When the sister magazines were given new life through the vision of The Solomon Foundation and Christian Standard Media, Mike and I worked together for three years. He edited this journal while I edited The Lookout. During that time Mike and I talked regularly, traveled together occasionally, and supported
November 1, 2023
The Lies and the Truth About God’s Love
By Jerry Harris This is the time of year for thankfulness, celebration, joy, and love, but it also can be a time of loneliness and longing, discouragement and depression. We may think this is a product of our own minds and circumstances, but something more sinister is at work. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul described a constant spiritual onslaught that is happening behind the scenes; it’s a battle for our hearts and minds that must be defended with the truth of God’s Word, especially as the enemy tries to rob us of that which God has richly provided. First Corinthians
July 10, 2023
July 16 | Application (‘Good Mourning’)
Jeremiah predicted dire consequences for the Jews. Because of their unfaithfulness, they would endure decades of Babylonian exile—an extended period of mourning. But God’s loving-kindness would never give up on them. . . .
September 7, 2022
News Briefs for September 7
Briefs about a "Fresh Hope" Mental Health Care Summit for Pastors in Iowa, expansion by Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, and more.
September 5, 2022
September 11 | Application (‘Amazing Grace or a Blazing Pace?’)
Corrie ten Boom said, “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” A lot of Christ followers are stressed out. We’ve exchanged amazing grace for a blazing pace.
September 1, 2022
The Growing Influence of Glowing Rectangles
Help Your Children Use Tech Wisely and Limit the Dangers
July 1, 2022
What Should the Church Do about the Mental Health Crisis
By Ben Cachiaras We have a problem. Emotional well-being is in serious decline. It’s a palpable crisis that was bad before the pandemic. The isolation, social upheaval, polarization, and massive changes with work, school, and life have exacerbated the crisis, creating an extended ambiguity and heightened stress that’s a perfect cocktail for burnout and emotional struggle. (I first heard it put that way by Paul Alexander, president of Hope International University.) No wonder the World Health Organization’s recent scientific brief states that the global prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased 25 percent since the pandemic’s arrival in early 2020.
January 31, 2022
Masks
With Jesus, we don’t need to wear a mask. Even if, out of habit, we try to wear one in his presence, he can see past the camouflage and deep into the recesses of each human soul.
September 22, 2020
Beyond the Pandemic: How the Church Can Respond to Three Urgent Needs in Their Communities
By Kent E. Fillinger The full impact of COVID-19 goes well beyond the number of confirmed cases, the death toll, and the unemployment rate that many are tracking. The pandemic has exacerbated several preexisting problems like anxiety, depression, suicide, child abuse, drug abuse, and others. These often overlooked “killers” are affecting scores of Americans today, and some experts say these conditions have reached epidemic proportions. Dr. Elinore McCance-Katz, assistant U.S. secretary for mental health and substance use, said in late May, “The increase in the number of suicides, fatal drug overdoses and instances of domestic abuse will be broad, deep
Retired Prof Takes Theological Expertise to the Local Church
By Chris Moon Joe Grana is staying active in retirement. The former longtime professor and administrator at Hope International University in Fullerton, Calif.—who retired June 1—has taken his expansive biblical knowledge to the local church. Grana has signed on as an associate pastor at Refinery Christian Church in Goodyear, Ariz., near Phoenix. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grana has been producing three-minute videos for the church teaching basic theological concepts, from baptism to the inspiration of Scripture. The idea for these “3-Minute Theology” videos is to better equip the Refinery church with theological truth, something Grana senses many Christians need today.
Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think
When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.
January 2, 2020
Depression and Ministry: How Do We Respond When Our Church Leaders Are Struggling?
“I was sick and you looked after me.” _ _ _ By Paul H. Alexander The pastors’ emotional struggles were widely known. Yet, most people did not know just how real and intense the struggles were day in and day out. Only God knows how much pain these men were in. About 18 months ago, a pastor in Southern California killed himself. In the following months, two more young pastors also tragically took their own lives. In this area everyone knew someone who was impacted, at least indirectly, by these events. Many men and women I know were affected directly
October 30, 2019
HIU’s Alexander Teaching Church Leaders about Depression and Ministry
By Chris Moon When a prominent pastor committed suicide last year in Southern California, Paul Alexander couldn’t help but take notice. A lot of people he knew had a connection with the young pastor—Andrew Stoecklein—and they were deeply moved by the news. Alexander, a licensed marriage and family therapist who assumed the presidency of Hope International University in August, has spent years studying and teaching about depression and ministry. It only made sense to help. Depression is something many ministers struggle with—even though, Alexander said, it is “not comfortable or common to talk about it.” Alexander contacted Gene Appel of
