Same-Sex Attraction, Bipolar Disorder, Suicidality, and the Goodness of God: Brenna Blain
Aug 26, 2024
auto_awesome
Brenna Blain is a speaker, writer, and mother, known for her book "Can I Say That?" She dives into her personal battles with bipolar disorder, discussing how it intersects with faith and sexuality. Brenna candidly shares her experiences with mental health stigma in religious contexts and emphasizes the importance of open conversations. She explores finding grace amid struggles and the need for compassion in faith communities, advocating for supportive dialogues around difficult issues like same-sex attraction.
Brenna emphasizes the significance of addressing mental health struggles within faith communities, advocating for open dialogues to support those in need.
Her journey with bipolar disorder illustrates the necessity of understanding the complexities of mental health while remaining engaged in ministry.
Brenna's exploration of same-sex attraction highlights the importance of authentic discussions about identity and faith in the modern church.
Deep dives
Conferences Addressing Key Issues
Upcoming conferences are set to tackle significant topics in the intersection of faith and societal challenges. One such event, scheduled for September 17th-18th in Austin, Texas, will focus on sexuality and gender discussions. Another event in Denver, Colorado, on October 4th-5th will cover pressing matters such as discipleship during an election year, the aftermath of purity culture, and education on healthy news consumption. Prominent speakers from various backgrounds will contribute to these conversations, highlighting the need for engagement in today's complex cultural landscape.
Honesty in Personal Narratives
The book "Can I Say That? How Unsafe Questions Lead Us to the Real God" emphasizes the importance of confronting tough questions and experiences within a faith context. The author, Brenna Blaine, shares her own journey filled with vulnerability, honesty, and the weight of her experiences, which range from family trauma to sexual identity struggles. By opening up about her story, Brenna allows readers to examine their own beliefs while fostering an environment for authentic dialogues about faith and personal challenges. The process of writing was therapeutic for her, as it involved sifting through her past and finding connections to biblical truths.
Navigating the Impact of Mental Health
Brenna openly discusses her struggles with bipolar disorder and how it affects her life and ministry. She describes the stark contrasts between manic highs and debilitating lows, detailing experiences that led to hospitalization and moments of despair. Brenna illustrates the difficulty of finding balance in her mental health journey while remaining engaged in her faith and advocating for those in similar situations. This candidness highlights the need for dialogue within religious spaces regarding mental health, emphasizing that struggles do not negate one's faith or calling.
The Complexity of Sexual Identity
The conversation touches on the complexities of self-identity, particularly regarding sexuality, in a faith context. Brenna describes her journey of exploring same-sex attraction within a religious upbringing that often viewed such desires as incompatible with faith. Through her relationships and experiences, she navigated how to reconcile her identity while pursuing a genuine relationship with God. Brenna emphasizes her commitment to living faithfully, addressing concerns about fulfillment in life choices and the importance of discussing these challenges authentically.
Engaging with Difficult Conversations
Brenna advocates for church leaders to participate in difficult conversations that reflect the realities young people face today. She argues that avoiding these discussions does a disservice to individuals who need guidance and understanding about real-world issues such as mental health, sexuality, and morality. By fostering an environment of openness, church leaders can provide support and connection for those grappling with challenging circumstances in their lives. Brenna emphasizes the need for compassion and authenticity in these dialogues to cultivate a faithful and impactful ministry.
Brenna is a speaker, writer, wife and mom, and is the author of Can I Say That? How Unsafe Questions Lead us to the Real God. In this episode, Brenna and I talk about mental health, suicidality, sexuality, bipolar disorder, and many other things related to her journey. Register for the Austin conference on sexualtiy (Sept 17-18) here: https://www.centerforfaith.com/programs/leadership-forums/faith-sexuality-and-gender-conference-live-in-austin-or-stream-online Register for the Exiles 2 day conference in Denver (Oct 4-5) here: https://theologyintheraw.com/exiles-denver/
--
If you've enjoyed this content, please subscribe to my channel!
