Faith & Mental Health
Our world can often feel overwhelming … and finding solace and strength to keep moving forward can be challenging. Major studies across the world have identified an epidemic of mental health concerns, with the CDC indicating suicide as the third highest cause of death in young people in their most recent report. Unfortunately, the church has been prone to dismiss some of the struggles of the mind and the heart, offering instead silence (at best) or derision (at worst).
Instead, we need to explore the intersection of faith and mental health, offering a compassionate and relatable perspective. By breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health, we can create a safe space for individuals to share their experiences, find support, and ultimately encounter the greatest hope possible - the good news of Jesus. Faith can be a source of comfort and guidance during life's most difficult moments, and it is not intrinsically at odds with psychology, therapy, medication, or other “secular” supports.
#Faith #MentalHealth #aLightInTheDark #DarknessIsReal #WeDon’tTalkAboutThat
Message Series Description:
It's been said, over and over, that it's impolite to talk about religion or politics. And it seems that, as time has marched along, other topics have been added to that list: sexuality, racism, mental health, and more. These topics all tend to devolve into heated arguments, ad hominem attacks, and outright vitriol ... unless everyone already agrees on the issue! And the church has tragically leaned into this cultural phenomenon.
Instead of talking about these sometimes controversial or volatile topics with nuance, grace, and truth, the church has often slipped into a position of simply not addressing them, talking about them in an un-Jesus-like way, or (even worse) getting it flat out wrong when it's discussed. And when this happens, obstacles and offenses are piled onto the gospel, making it that much harder for people to encounter Jesus and to accept His good news.
But there is a better way, a way that holds tightly and rightly to truth, while effervescing with grace and compassion. This way IS the way of Jesus. And it is what we need to do rather than simply say, "We don't talk about that." This weekend we'll begin that conversation.
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