“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.

Mike Emlet, a speaker from the 2020 CCEF National Conference, dives into enhancing intimacy with God through Scripture and prayer. He challenges misconceptions about devotional practices, emphasizing the balance between discipline and dependence on God. Emlet shares personal insights, including how college life shaped his faith. Listeners learn the transformative power of meditation on biblical texts and practical tips for daily reflection, such as the Ignatian Prayer of Examen, to stay connected with God amid distractions.

This fall we’re taking a longer break from the podcast while we work on a new format with more frequent episodes. We’re excited to launch that in 2025! In the meantime, we’ll be sharing some previously released resources with you. Today’s episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled “Rest.” We hope you’re encouraged by this episode to draw near to the God of rest. Mentioned in this episode: We’re thinking a lot about rest as we prepare for our national conference on the topic. We hope you’ll join us for the conference this October, whether online or in Chattanooga, TN. You can learn more at ccef.org/2024.

Clinical psychologist Ed Welch discusses trauma and scripture, emphasizing the importance of understanding trauma, practicing compassion, and finding strength in God's word. He explores the impact of suffering on individuals and the role of community support in times of adversity.