In a heartfelt discussion, personal experiences with anxiety are shared, revealing its many forms and connections to perfectionism. Insights from Scripture underscore anxiety as an opportunity for deeper conversations with God. The speakers highlight the role of faith, prayer, and gratitude in finding peace, reminding listeners that it's possible to transform anxiety into a pursuit of God's kingdom. Community support and the assurance of God's closeness offer hope, showing that rest can be found even in the midst of turmoil.

Discover how ancient Psalms of lament help navigate grief and express sorrow. The hosts share personal journeys of finding solace through vulnerability and honest prayer. They explore the difference between lamenting and grumbling, emphasizing the relational aspect of communicating with a compassionate God. Dive into how these psalms articulate complex emotions, fostering deeper connections during difficult times. Embrace the healing power of expressing grief, leading to a transformed relationship with the divine.

Gunner Gundersen, a faculty member specializing in biblical theology, and Esther Liu, an expert on the intersection of Scripture and life's challenges, dive into the intricacies of conflict. They discuss the emotional toll of confrontation and the importance of understanding one’s heart through grace. Gunner and Esther highlight reframing conflicts as growth opportunities while sharing practical strategies to engage with empathy and self-restraint. Their insights offer a roadmap for navigating relational challenges with compassion and faith.

“We have a God who loves, cares, and knows, and I can rest utterly in the hope that he will be with me, he will walk with me, and he will provide. He will care for every last moment of my day tomorrow as I am exhausted.” Do you ever have nights where you can’t sleep? Whatever the reason may be, struggling to sleep is a form of suffering. In this rerun of an episode originally released in 2022, Alasdair Groves explores what it looks like to lean on the Lord when we can’t sleep, assured that he is near and he cares.  

Would you consider donating to CCEF to help us continue to provide the church with resources that mine the treasures of Scripture for the troubles of life? You can give at ccef.org/donate. Today’s episode is a session from our national conference a few years ago on anxiety. This session is by Ed Welch and is titled “Daily Bread: Today’s Strength for Anxious People.” Ed talks about God’s invitation in anxiety to come to him and find strength for today.

Explore the challenges of seasonal depression and discover the power of community and faith in coping with winter's gloom. Personal stories and biblical insights provide practical strategies for navigating difficult times. The podcast also reflects on the journey towards a deeper connection with scripture and God, using the metaphor of ocean undertow to illustrate the struggles of faith. Tune in for inspiration and encouragement this season!

Today’s episode is a free session from the 2024 National Conference: Rest. The session is by Aaron Sironi and is titled “Created to Do Good Work.” It considers the goodness of work and how it relates to rest in the cycle and rhythm of our lives. You can find more audio from our rest conference at ccef.org/2024.

Today’s episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled “Negative Emotions: Part 2.” We re-released Part 1 last month, so you can go back and listen to that if you haven’t yet. In this episode, we continue to consider how we should think biblically about negative emotions.

Today’s episode is an audio lecture from one of our online courses, Helping Relationships, which is taught by Ed Welch. This lecture is titled “Pursue & Know People” and it covers one of the foundational ideas to this course and to all of biblical counseling: that we aim to know people well and pursue them like Jesus. Registration for this course is open through December 3. Register at ccef.org/school. The CCEF School of Biblical Counseling offers 6 courses that make up 2 certificates designed to equip you for biblical counseling. Our students include pastors, elders, ministry leaders, counselors, and any Christian wanting to grow in wise soul care. You can learn more at ccef.org/school.

Dive into the intriguing discussion on whether it's acceptable for Christians to feel negative emotions like anger and sadness. The complexities of human emotions are explored, emphasizing that such feelings aren't sinful. Discover how acknowledging these emotions can lead to personal growth and a stronger faith. The conversation highlights the importance of expressing sorrow to God, paving the way for deeper connections during life's challenges.