Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”                                                                John 6:68-69

I have been thinking lately about how pervasive the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been not only in the United States, but all over the globe. I can only speak directly about what I have seen in the United States, but I want to encourage my readers around the world to consider the changes experienced in your own country, and to share them in this space.

As a result of the pandemic, we have had landmark changes in business, education, politics, health care, religious systems of worship, and how we understand mental health. While I am not an expert on these subjects, I do have a viewpoint on how they interconnect. It has been fascinating, and a bit scary I might add.

When businesses were shutting down early in the crisis, the health care situation was dire indeed. Health care workers could not get enough protective equipment (PPE’S), and some overburdened hospitals even resorted to the use of plastic trash bags as gowns. Morgues in New York were being overrun with bodies. We saw scenes from around the world where coffins could not be made fast enough. Truly, it looked like a scene from a bad sci-fi movie.

Almost immediately, there was pushback about the closing of businesses, churches, and schools. A political rift that had been running under the surface bloomed into a national cleft that remains open today.

I think a crisis like COVID-19 often exposes weaknesses that are already in the system. People who already were struggling a bit with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression were pushed into a crisis state. The increased stress of isolation from others, uncertainty of finances, and worry over very disturbing political news all conspired to spotlight an increase in teen suicide attempts and completions.

Churches found that attendance after the masking and crowd sanctions were lifted have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels. In short, a trend toward lower church attendance was accelerated far beyond expectations.

What does this mean? I think the pandemic simply brought to the surface issues that had been simmering for a long time. When the crisis hit, the rifts became more pronounced.

Should we lose hope? No. This could be a good wake-up call to us that our salvation is not in political solutions or affiliations. Our hope is in our position toward God- humble reflection that we are dependent upon him alone for salvation and true peace.

Prayer: Lord, hear us as we look to you as our salvation, Amen

 a psychological condition that is characterized by persistent doubt concerning one’s abilities or accomplishments accompanied by the fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evidence of one’s ongoing success                          Merriam Webster Dictionary

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful. I know that full well.                                                                                            Psalm 139:14

If one scrolls through social media (not necessarily a hearty recommendation, but it can be useful…), one can find discussion about “imposter syndrome” among some talented professionals. The term, Imposter Syndrome, has been around since the late 1970’s. Have you ever experienced this phenomenon? Very likely, you have to some degree.

I spoke with a client recently who has struggled much of his life with this issue in varying degrees. The irony I found, as I told him, is that this syndrome occurs in people who are so self-aware and who are such high achievers, that they are the people who should worry least about their competence!

People who are highly self-aware, and who also set very high standards for themselves are the people most likely to be afflicted with the problem. I suppose in a way, that this is a variation on the theme that our strengths, when not regulated well, can become our weakness.

Typically, our great fears are fed by the irrational thoughts that can fill our mind when we begin to have doubts and fears. A new job, a promotion, a change in responsibilities, taking on a new financial burden, etc., all can be triggers for latent anxiety to rise to the surface.

It is also true, that when we start a new job, or get into new situations, there is a learning curve. While we are in that curve, when anxiety is higher, the irrational thoughts of Imposter Syndrome can raise their ugly head.

The solution is to be open with trusted others about this situation, and to get good, truthful, and  unbiased feedback. Reminding ourselves of our own intrinsic value is also important, because when one questions their own competence, it can quickly lead to questions of our own value. Taking those irrational thoughts of Imposter Syndrome captive, and then speaking truth to those thoughts can be of great help.

Prayer: Lord, help us to be reminded of our great worth, Amen

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.                                                                             II Corinthians 10:5

I was speaking with a client recently, and we were talking about her loss of confidence in herself. She had been in an abusive marriage and her ex-husband had undermined her confidence. She has been working hard these past few years as a single mom, and she had overcome some significant barriers to become the strong person she needed to be for her daughter.

 Now lately, as she spoke with him on the phone about visitation issues, she found that the discussion became somewhat conflictual, and the old lack of confidence came back. She felt weak and helpless- overwhelmed with her circumstances.

I challenged her with the words from II Corinthians 10:5- “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Her anxiety had caused these negative thoughts from her past to defeat her at the moment. I told her that this anxiety produced the feelings of helplessness and lack of strength. It undermined her confidence. I reminded her of all that she had done, and continues to do, in order to overcome circumstances and to good care of herself and her daughter. “Feelings will come and go”, I said, “but truth remains”. She needs to take her thoughts captive, decide what is true, and not just accept a current feeling as being the truth. She needs to hold on to the truth- not the lies of her anxiety.  

Sometimes that truth needs to be reinforced by someone outside of ourselves, and this is what I tried to do as her counselor. I reminded her of the truth of who she really is. Sometimes we get caught up in negative self-judgments that are not true. We begin to feel helpless, unworthy, weak, etc.

So, my dear readers, take your thoughts captive and speak truth to those thoughts. Sometimes those negative thoughts are the result of anxiety and depression, and they do not accurately define who we are.

Sometimes, we need another person to remind us of the truth.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminders of the truth of who we are in you, Amen

Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it. It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:8-10

I hope this first day after Easter finds all my readers in a warm and secure place in your faith journey.

At my church, we had done a study during Lent about the life of John Wesley- founder of the Methodist movement. He was a strong and dedicated follower of Jesus, and his renewal movement spurred incredible revival of the Christian faith in England, the United States, and eventually around the world. 

His understanding of a response to Jesus was a holistic one- one that encompassed “head, hand and heart”. By that I mean, he recognized that our faith could stand the scrutiny of logical and cognitive examination- it makes sense. Further, our hearts would be changed into loving others as ourselves as Jesus taught.

Finally, as a result of those changes in us, our hands- the ways that we reach out to others- would be activated out of that love for others. I find this completely integrated approach to life, transformed by the Holy Spirit through our humble acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus, to be particularly appealing.

So, keep it simple. Our faith must be one that reaches our mind, our hearts and our actions.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the ways that you send teachers into our life, Amen

Because of his kindness, you have been saved through trusting Christ. And even trusting is not of yourselves; it too is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good we have done, so none of us can take any credit for it.  It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. Ephesians 2:8-10

I hope this first day after Easter finds all my readers in a warm and secure place in your faith journey.

At my church, we had done a study during Lent about the life of John Wesley- founder of the Methodist movement. He was a strong and dedicated follower of Jesus, and his renewal movement spurred incredible revival of the Christian faith in England, the United States, and eventually around the world.  

His understanding of a response to Jesus was a holistic one- one that encompassed “head, hand and heart”. By that I mean, he recognized that our faith could stand the scrutiny of logical and cognitive examination- it makes sense. Further, our hearts would be changed into loving others as ourselves as Jesus taught.

Finally, as a result of those changes in us, our hands- the ways that we reach out to others- would be activated out of that love for others. I find this completely integrated approach to life, transformed by the Holy Spirit through our humble acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus, to be particularly appealing.

So, keep it simple. Our faith must be one that reaches our mind, our hearts and our actions.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the ways that you send teachers into our life, Amen

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16

So, have you seen the images from the Webb telescope? To say that they are amazing is a disservice to the word “amazing”. The Webb telescope is taking us back to almost the earliest days of creation- the “Big Bang” if you will. Those images show us the vastness and beauty of the creation of the universe.  If that is not a miracle, there isn’t one.

This universe did not just spontaneously come into being. There was a design for it from a timeframe that we cannot understand. That Creator, the God Almighty, laid out his design and spoke the universe into existence.

Easter is based on the premise of a miracle- the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. In my way of thinking, that is not very hard to fathom in light of the creation that Jesus was part of from the beginning of what we know of as “time”. God, of course, is timeless. He is not bound by our conception of time. The past, present, and future, as we know it, are all one with him. (Yeah, don’t spend a lot of time trying to figure that one out).

If God wanted a plan where Jesus would come to earth, live among his creation, then redeem it, and at the same time overcome death, that was a veritable piece of cake compared to the creation of life and the universe.

So yes, this Easter, revel in the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus, but it is just one of the miracles that God has shown to his creation.

Happy Easter!

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the miracles that you bestow upon us! Amen

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28

In yesterday’s blog, I talked about pushing on, to not give up trying, and to continue to work our program for health, even when it is difficult. Then I posed the question about depression. When one is clinically depressed, lack of hope and lack of motivation are hallmark symptoms. How does one go about keeping up with challenging disciplines when one is depressed?

I have had severely depressed clients who shared with me that it is difficult at times to even get out of bed. Getting dressed becomes a chore. Simple household duties become overwhelming. Work feels out of the question. Then what do we do?

When people experience that level of depression, medical intervention is imperative. A thorough physical examination is in order first to rule out various illness or hormonal causes of the depression. Clearing that hurdle, a psychiatric evaluation is in order to consider antidepressant medication. Supportive counseling is also a key therapeutic element.

Then we come to some behavioral work. It is important to validate to the client that what they are experiencing is real, and that they are truly suffering. Then I may begin to suggest the smallest behavioral tasks- maybe getting out of bed a little earlier than they did the day before; doing one household task per day- the dishes perhaps.

The idea is to go slow, but to put reasonable, achievable tasks before them. One little success makes the next step easier and to seem attainable. Every little success builds to the next one. Taking behavioral charge is still important, even when the client may feel it is so small. Taking control of small actions gives the confidence that life can still be managed, even though at a slower, smaller level.

It reminds me of an old saying in counseling- “Change one thing, change everything”.

I think that’s a true statement.

Prayer: Lord, give us strength, even when we don’t think we can move forward, Amen

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.                                       Matthew 28:6

When I was growing up, the celebration of Easter was surrounded with some beautiful traditions. Midnight Mass on Saturday night before Easter was an experience of anticipation. The Resurrection was celebrated with ceremony that had been centuries in the making. The statues  of the saints in the church had been covered in purple drapes ever since Ash Wednesday- a mark of sorrow and sobriety anticipating the coming sacrifice of Jesus on the cross on Good Friday.

At Midnight, the bells, which had been silent all during the Lenten season, pealed out all over the church. The purple drapes fell from the statues, and the choir broke into joyous songs such as “Jesus Christ is Risen Today”. The joy and atmosphere were electric in the celebration!

Much of that liturgical richness has been lost, I think. Certainly, in many Mainline Protestant churches, such majesty has been absent. Yet, as I read social media, and speak to many Christians in several venues, I think that the younger generation longs for the rich liturgy of formal worship that has been largely stripped away in the past two or three decades.

Informal worship and seeker friendly services may not be as inviting as once thought. Many people long for their churches to have a more formal, participant-engaging experience in worship. Long beloved liturgies that embrace some predictability and comfort enhance the beaty of collective worship.

Formal choirs, familiar recitations of prayers by the congregation, and a predictable pattern of service are often very comforting in a world of incredible unpredictability.

I am not saying that we throw everything out. I am just positing that people yearn often for their church to be a place of comfort, so that when we are out in the world, living the Resurrection message, we can have the solid footing that we need every weekend.

Just a thought.

The more important message is that however we celebrate the miracle of Resurrection, we recognize that we stand in a line of centuries of believers who expressed joy at this marvelous Easter celebration. 

As this Holy Week plays out, I wish a blessed time of reflection my friends!

Prayer: Lord, how can we even comprehend fully the miracle of Resurrection? You have provided for us that which we cannot do on our own, Amen

“Whatever is hidden away will be brought out into the open, and whatever is covered up will be found and brought to light.                                                                                                                                               Luke 8:17

Everyone has some things in their own mind that they do not want shared in public. Indeed, in many cases it might be inappropriate or hurtful to share it. Yet, there are some things that need to be shared in order for us to fully heal.

I have clients who have secrets that they have held for many years. Many find it too burdensome to continue carrying these hidden thoughts or behaviors. Often, after a difficult disclosure, I have heard people say, “I have never told anyone else this before…”

I feel privileged to have earned their trust, and to be a part of their healing. More importantly, it can be the start of a new free and unburdened life for them. I have had clients who held secrets about cheating on a spouse, a secret addiction, etc. At the time they tell these dark secrets, they can begin to heal.

I explain to them that carrying a secret takes a lot of energy. We are consciously, sometimes unconsciously, making sue that the words stay hidden deep in our memory, never to be let out. Yet, this takes a chronic mental, spiritual, even physical toll.

After disclosure, clients typically say “I feel so much better having gotten that off my chest!” The value of getting these things out into the open in a trusted space is an important aspect of healing. The saying that “Light breaks the power of darkness” is a true statement.

The truth sets us free.

Prayer: Lord, help us to make safe spaces for truth, Amen

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand                                                                                                Isaiah 41:10

I will often suggest to my clients that they pick some kind of visual symbol to remind them of the coping tools that we discussed. Tactile reminders can be helpful. Sometimes, people will carry a tiny cross in their pocket, wear a ring, get a tattoo, or place some other very visual reminder on their person that helps to remind and anchor helpful mental health tools.

I tell my clients that Orthodox Jews may wear Frontlets on their forehead. These Frontlets contain pieces of parchment on which are written Scripture verses. In other words, they took very literally God’s command to “always keep my word in front of you”.

Each of us needs to find ways to be grounded when anxious or depressed, and also to remember that God promised to never leave us. Whatever form that takes for you, consider finding ways to make that real.

We all need reassurance sometimes…  

Prayer: We need reminders that you will never leave us. Thank you for that promise, Amen