Posts tagged spirituality
The Over-Spiritualization of Mental Health

I grew up in the church since my earliest memory and I love the church. I appreciate the desire for wholeness, the focus on getting unhealthy patterns and mindset under control and living a life of service to God and others. Yet, there is one aspect that I see as a major set-back when it comes to dealing with mental health. Too often, it’s over-spiritualized (it’s a real word, I checked), leaving people with a stronger sense of guilt, self-doubt and isolation.

Read More
Delayed In Silence

I love airports delays. Now, I know I’m crazy for loving to sit on the floor anxiously waiting for the speaker above my head to call my flight number, but everything about this crazy wait causes a breakdown in our overly stressed-out, hyper productive society. I love watching how people respond when the gods of the airport disrupt their jam-packed day. There’s nothing they can do; they can’t solve their problem by jumping on their cell, sending an email or raising their impatient voice. The greatest fear of American society hits the entire population of terminal A – boredom. No TV, Internet, friend to pass time away with— no one but their self, their conscience, their soul. They’re trapped with nowhere to turn but inward.

Read More
My Greatest Miracle From My Greatest Tragedy

It was day 6 and the middle of the night when my wife and I were abruptly awoken by a loud, obnoxious ringing from our hospital phone. We had been sleeping at the hospital for 6 nights, while our other 3 children were being cared for by various friends in our church community. The doctor’s voice on the other end of the phone was laced with concern at best and terror at worst. 

Read More