Blog
The Truth Behind the Verse That Says “Don’t Be Anxious”
I’m sure we’ve all seen Philippians 4:6 plastered on a cosy-looking book cover or quoted in a talk at church or maybe even rattled off by a well-meaning friend when we’ve shared something we’re worried about: “Do not be anxious about anything…” But if you’ve had those words spoken to you—whether by an inanimate object or an actual person—I wonder if they’ve always been what you needed to hear?
It’s Hard to Be Open About Mental Illness as a Guy
However you define a true-blue Australian man, there seems to be one universal agreement: Men should not be weak. Not surprisingly, men are far less likely to access mental health services than women, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Sadly, this desire to be strong does not dismiss our mental suffering. Instead, it exacerbates it.
I Was a Pastor With Depression
I was still pastoring a church when I began experiencing dissonance between my faith and emotions in the form of anxiety and depressive thoughts. This would happen especially during sermons. But surely it was just stress that would pass?
Dating Someone With Anxiety: What I’ve Learned
I’d been exposed to mental illnesses, but had never walked that journey intimately with someone. I won’t lie; it was hard. But I’m now three years (and a wedding) down the road, and have learned so much about what it means to be in a relationship with someone who struggles with their mental health.
A 5 Part Series on Rest
We all need a break sometimes; we all need rest. Work, church, caring and studying can physically tire us out. But sometimes, our need for rest goes deeper; sometimes, our very souls feel weary. We’ll be exploring how God’s gift of rest not only meets our needs, but is also something to delight in.
I’m Anxious, My Partner Isn’t
It was somewhat disconcerting to begin with, being with someone who’d never felt the tumble-drier effect of a panic attack, the crippling waves of anxiety or the unexplained heaviness of depression.
Why Is Vulnerability So Important?
For me, being deeply honest about my feelings and struggles comes easily. I feel freed when I speak those things out into the open. But I know that isn’t the case for a lot of people.
4 Steps to Untangling Your Emotions
Sarah describes our relationship with mental health like a beach ball. As humans, we have a natural drive within us to avoid feelings of fear or pain. We don’t like sitting in uncomfortable emotions, and so we suppress them; we hold them under the water with all our energy, hoping they won’t come up so we won’t have to face them.
Overwhelmed by the State of the World
There’s so much going on in the world, and it can be overwhelming. Whether we’re struggling with troubles in our own lives or feeling the barrage of bad news every time we look at the headlines, peace can feel elusive – if not impossible. How can we feel peace with everything going on?
God... I'm Feeling Burnt-Out
Jordan describes himself as a “pretty chill, stoic, level-headed guy” – that is, until he faced burn-out and depression that sent him spiralling. In Jordan’s second year of paid ministry, he felt the pressure mounting.