Jordan Crossings Blog
Navigating the Waters of Faith & Mental Health
How to Change Your Unhealthy Thoughts
I sat in my car sobbing ugly tears. The angry thought running through my head repeatedly was, “Why do I ALWAYS mess EVERYTHING up?”
“I’m a failure.”
“I suck.”
“I just can’t do anything right.”
I was feeling defeated. I was ready to give up. I was stuck in an unhealthy thought pattern.
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.
Does God Really See Me?
Have you felt rejected by God?
Have you ever prayed fervently just to feel like your prayer wasn’t answered?
Has rejection from God’s people ever left you feeling like you were rejected by God Himself?
Have you spent much of your faith journey feeling like the church was a club you’re just waiting to be kicked out of? Or one you weren’t allowed to enter in the first place?
Have you ever heard the words, “The Holy Spirit didn’t prompt me to invite you.”? (Ouch.)
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.
Tackling Life When It Feels Overwhelming
As I prepare to begin working on my Master’s degree again after a summer break, I look around my house at the piles of laundry. We’re out of laundry soap. The dishes are piled up. There’s no dishwasher detergent. I have no time to run to the store. I look at my calendar to see 3-4 items written on each day. Each evening and weekend is packed with kids and sports. Very quickly, my head was spinning, trying to figure out how this was all going to get done in addition to my schoolwork. Did I get to work on it all right away, tackling my massive to-do list? No. I sat there paralyzed, staring at my schedule, worrying about how it would all fit.
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
