Jordan Crossings Blog
Navigating the Waters of Faith & Mental Health
Hold Space for the Heartbreak
I felt such shame because I didn’t believe I had a right to feel the way that
I did. There was so much good in my life and so much hurt in the world. What about the child
dying of cancer? What about those homeless and starving? What about the people being
bombed in Palestine? What about the Jews experiencing religious persecution? What about
what about what about??? I tried to make myself think about everyone else that was
experiencing actual pain. And yet that only made me disappear into the dark cave further and
further until I could hardly see a way out. We can lift the burden of having to judge heartbreak,
friends. We can hold space.
Restore Your Joyful Heart-A Reflection for Women of Faith
I sat across the table, not knowing what to expect, eagerly awaiting the results. The doctor pulled up my test results and asked, “Brittany, have you ever been to therapy?”
A staggered response, “Yeah, it wasn’t really my thing…"
What a weird way to start a doctor's consult.
She continued, “Tell me what you do for you.”
Silence.
“Brittany, you have to make some changes. And if you don’t make them quickly, you will literally have a stroke.”
Trigger word.
Stroke.
Possibly death, possibly permanent disability, if I continued to ignore my need for peace.
Working From a Place of Grace
“You don’t have what it takes to make it as a writer.”
“You are too much of a perfectionist.”
“You are not smart enough.”
The accusations about my work snowballed, leaving me anxious about my work ethic, writing abilities, and basically anything related to my performance. But, while these thoughts were especially pervasive that Friday morning, they were not new. My work-related doubts have haunted me ever since I could make out a grade on homework assignments, dubbing me either smart or hopelessly incompetent. I believed the old, passed-down tale that my work defined my value. Yet the gospel tells a different story.
The Way You Do
I want to see myself
Through your eyes
Even for a moment
To love my imperfections
And flaws
The way you do…
Finding Rest in the Psalms
In my most devastating and challenging seasons of life, the Psalms have been a refuge to me. In processing grief, transitioning to new seasons, or dealing with physical and mental health issues, the Psalms have become much more than a book to me - more of a living comfort and connection to the peace of God. In the Psalms we find every emotion imaginable. The Psalms are humanity anchored in the pursuit of God.
Now Seeking Guest Blog Posts!
Are you a writer? Do you have a story to tell? I am currently looking for guest blog posts about personal experiences with mental health and recovery from a Christian perspective. Whether you have a message or a testimony to share, I’d like to hear it! Fill out the form below or contact Megan for more details: meganjean@jordancrossings.org
