Depression & Anxiety – Page 2 – Christine M. Chappell

The Time God Met Me in the Mental Hospital

It's by design we raise our ebenezer on the battlefields of life (1 Samuel 7:10). Maybe for you, that place is a hospital bed. Maybe it's a courtroom. Maybe it's a jail cell. Maybe it's a clinic. Maybe it's a cemetery. Believe there is no place too taboo for our Jesus, no building or circumstance can keep him away from consoling your hurt and wiping your tears. Uncomfortable places of despair may separate us from the outside world for a time, but they cannot separate us from his steadfast love (Romans 8:35-39).

4 years ago

Mourning Dashed Hopes: Biblical Wisdom for Changing Seasons

Sometimes disappointment comes in the form of forced humility—the moment when we must admit we cannot fix our problems or ourselves in our own strength. Sometimes we compound our sorrows by not recognizing the season we are in, and the error only serves to make things worse.

4 years ago

Being Needy is Not a Fault—It’s a Design

When someone is struggling or suffering, they can sometimes be hesitant to reach out for help. But what does the Bible have to say about our neediness? Is it a character flaw or sin? This article explores some of the ways we view neediness as annoying or inconvenient, and how God's design for his people and community go against the grain of trending cultural norms.

4 years ago

Hope + Help for the Grieving Widow with Lisa Appelo

In this episode of The Hope + Help Project, Christine Chappell interviews author/writer Lisa Appelo on the topic of learning to live with grief as a widow. Lisa talks about the day her husband suddenly passed away, how she addressed the grieving process with her seven children, some of the unexpected emotional struggles she faced, and how the body of Christ rallied around her and her family as they learned how to live without the husband and father they loved. She also shares some practical spiritual and physical care suggestions for those walking through seasons of grief.

4 years ago

Walking Our Children Through Depression: Four Ways We Imitate God

Mental health issues can be complex in nature, and parents can run the risk of overlooking particular facets of treatment because of prejudices about underlying causes. But when we look to the Scriptures and see God serving the sorrowing with individualized, calculated affection, we see a multifaceted approach to managing mental anguish — one that acknowledges the dichotomy of man (as body and soul) and the necessity of the body of Christ.

4 years ago

Hope + Help for the Depressed Christian with Guest Zack Eswine

In the premiere episode, Christine interviews author/Pastor Zack Eswine on the topic of depression. During the conversation, Zack shares some of his personal experience with despondency, wise & unwise ways to approach loved ones who are suffering, the blessing of biblical metaphor in providing a language for our sorrows, as well as comfort and clarity from the Scriptures for those walking through the seasons of darkness.

4 years ago

Encouragements for the Depressed Mom: Video

Walking through depression can be a dark, deep, lonely season of life–especially for mothers. It’s a topic I’ve written about in a number of ways, and a battle I continue to fight against by faith with every ounce of strength I am afforded by the Spirit. In this most recent video feature at Thrive Moms, […]

4 years ago

Into the Fire: Fear & Doubt in Mental Health Recovery

Mental health recovery can be a season plagued by fear and doubt. Our fears become particularly burdensome when we meditate upon the question, “Will I ever get better?” If you find yourself asking this question, I'd like to share some hard-learned encouragements from my own journey through recovery.

5 years ago

Roaming Hell’s Hollow: Trusting God in Spiritual Depression

5 years ago

Let the Truth of Your Hope Outweigh the Feeling Of It

It's not the strength of our hope that sustains us, but the object of it. Read more about battling hopelessness in mental health recovery in this "3 Minutes of Courage" Devotional.

5 years ago

Pursuing Humility in Mental Health Recovery

5 years ago

Encouragements for the Woman Who Feels Sidelined

There was a season a few years back when the Lord made it extremely clear through a series of circumstances and struggles that it was my turn to sit on the sidelines. I remember the depression that sunk me low because my grasp on activities and service was forced loose. It was as if divine […]

5 years ago

What Can I Do While I’m Waiting on God? Guest Post by Terry Powell

Puzzling. Frustrating. Get-wrenching. When we’re waiting on God to act, those words often describe our attitude toward the delay. We may be waiting for provision of a new job; for God to woo a grown child back to faith; for Him to open the womb for a baby desperately wanted, to bless us with a […]

5 years ago

Should Christians Take Medications for Mental Health Issues?

Should Christians Take Medication for Mental Health Issues?

5 years ago

Walking Through the Dark Part III: Exposing the Lies & Mystery of Depression

In Part III of this Facebook/Instagram LIVE video series, I discuss the need to leave room for mystery in the battle against some cases of depression, the importance of caregivers who are willing to go “down in the well” with the sufferer, and some of the underlying emotions and unbelief at the heart of our most desperate seasons of sorrow.

5 years ago

Wretched Extremes: The ‘Always’ and ‘Never’ of Suicide

Extremes of wretchedness. Charles Spurgeon once said, “I am the subject of depressions of spirit so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as I go to.” Suicidal ideations often begin in the crosshairs of extremes, where always and never intersect. The wretched “always be this way” and […]

5 years ago

New Biblical Resource Guide For Depression Available for Download

Walking Through the Darkness is a digital download that seeks to bring biblical clarity to the issue, for sufferers and caregivers alike. The guide is a collection of resources curated by author Christine M. Chappell, who personally lives by faith with a Bipolar II diagnosis, and has battled mental health extremes for almost two decades. With helpful checklists, author commentaries, video/audio links, Scripture indexes, and a wealth of recommended books/resources, Walking Through the Darkness will equip both the afflicted and the ones walking alongside them to find biblical hope and help.

5 years ago

What to Say to Comfort Your Depressed Friend

5 years ago

Walking Through the Dark Part II: Real Christians Can Experience Real Depression

Have you ever been guilty of jumping to conclusions about the cause of someone's depression? Do you feel a sense that your companionship during that time requires your ability to know how to fix the other person? If you haven't experienced the darkness of depression yourself, is it possible to soften your heart to the experience of the sufferer? In this recorded Facebook Live video, I outline 3 helps for people to consider when caring for someone suffering from depression. Also included in this video are reading recommendations for those who wish to equip themselves for compassionate, biblical care.

5 years ago

Walking Through the Dark Part I: Approaching the Wounded with Compassion

5 years ago

My Name is Beloved: Finding Identity in Mental Illness

6 years ago

4 Life-Changing Truths About God that Move Us from Chaos to Courage

If you find yourself in a season of chaos, let me first tell you that I understand completely. I have found myself in such a season, and it is not for the faint of heart. Yet even in these challenging times, we have an unique opportunity to put our faith into action. There is something about […]

6 years ago

5 Steps to Fighting Emotional Strongholds

6 years ago

“Stop Struggling, Start Fighting” A Mom’s Mission Field Podcast Interview

Having a hard day of motherhood? Walking through a dark spiritual valley? Finding yourself in a fall/winter season of marriage? I’m so thankful for the opportunity to talk about REAL & HARD things with Tiffany at A Mom’s Mission Field in this new podcast episode. In the episode, I share a bit of background about my book, […]

7 years ago

Lay Your Weapon Down: Invitation to Cutters (Desiring God Feature)

I was recently privileged to share a piece of my heart at John Piper’s website DesiringGod.org. This article is meant to give readers a glimpse into the heart struggle of a Christian tempted to self-harm, as well as the intimate love and affection that Jesus has for such ones who struggle in this fashion. The battle is presented […]

7 years ago

“Lay Your Weapon Down” Desiring God Article Resources

Thank you all for graciously responding with messages of support over my recent article, “Lay Your Weapon Down: Invitation to Cutters.” Obviously the subject matter is not easy to read, but the truth remains that the Lord has a special, tender place in his heart for children who fight against self–harm. He does not consider […]

7 years ago

For the Man Who Loves a Broken Mind

We weren’t prepared for this. Certainly “for better or worse” sounded so romantically bittersweet. I’m not sure many of those entering into a lifetime of marriage say those words and think of being worse in a way they cannot see. “In sickness and in health“—a deathbed, an epic medical failure, a withered body with a hand to […]

7 years ago

When Failed Resolutions Come Back to Haunt You

Facebook memories can often be great sources of joy and reflection. And while it’s usually a treat to look back over the events that have happened on a particular day in your personal history, not all of the recollections come with warm feelings of happy days passed. Sometimes the memories serve to remind us of painful […]

7 years ago

Resources for the Christian Woman Who Is Depressed | Christine M. Chappell | FaithfulSparrow.com

Resources for the Woman Fighting Depression

If you are a woman fighting against depression, I pray that these resources are helpful to giving you comfort, encouragement, and hope. If you are a family member or loved one supporting a woman who is struggling with the pain of mental burdens, I pray that these resources will help you find the wisdom needed […]

7 years ago

12 Scriptures for Fighting Panic | Christine M. Chappell | FaithfulSparrow.com

12 Scriptures to Read When Fighting Panic

“Have you realized that most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you are listening to yourself instead of talking to yourself? Take those thoughts that come to you the moment you wake up in the morning. You have not originated them but they are talking to you, they bring back […]

7 years ago

When Someone Else is Living Your Dream

It hit me the moment I saw it: a Facebook update celebrating the news of achievement and success, renown and opportunity. I confess: I’m not immune twinges of jealousy, however briefly they linger. I know I shouldn’t feel this way when others are triumphing with their talents, but this undercurrent of envy still remains. It has […]

7 years ago

Finding Hope in the Barren Waste Place | Christine M. Chappell | Clean Home, Messy Heart

Finding Hope in the Waste Place

The dust began to swarm around my ankles as I raked dead leaves and pine needles into a pile. One wouldn’t think August to be a month of making mounds of folliage in the yard, but the excessively dry California summer never gave our tree the opportunity to remain fully green. The size of the […]

7 years ago

When God Wills Us to Wait | Christine M Chappell | Clean Home Messy Heart

When God Wills for Us to Wait

The mailbox was full of junk again. I’ve been looming over it for the past week, awaiting the arrival of what I might as well call a “golden ticket”: a letter from Barnes & Noble’s small press department. Almost eight weeks ago, I submitted a package to have Clean Home, Messy Heart shelved at their […]

7 years ago

Why You Can’t Just “Fake it ‘Till You Make It”

As I sat there listening to the advice—a long list of do’s and don’ts—it didn’t take long before the age-old gem of, “When all else fails, just fake it ’till you make it” rolled off his lips. Somewhat surprised, my eyes widened as I considered the ramifications of what he had recommended to combat my […]

7 years ago

Dear Year-Ago Me, It’s Worse, Yet So Much Better

Dear Year-Ago Me, I know you are dealing with a lot and things feel so chaotic right now. Dealing with these circumstances was not part of your plan, but it’s the hand you’ve been given to play. True, you’ve struggled with this hopelessness many times before, but I know this round is different altogether. It’s […]

8 years ago

Side by Side by Edward T. Welch | #bookschristineread

“Practical Guidance for Loving Others Well” I eyeballed this book for some time online before I finally pulled the trigger (or should I say, clicked the mouse) to purchase it. I’m certainly glad I did not let it fall off my radar. Fitting this book into your reading schedule this coming New Year will certainly be a […]

8 years ago