Death causes us to be angry because it comes into our world like an unexpected slap in the face. As one researcher said, “Death is a social disease, like V.D. It is not polite, not well-mannered.”[1] King Solomon concurred: “No man has authority to restrain the wind…or authority over the day of death” (Ecclesiastes 8:8). When death enters our social circles or … Read More
Get in Trouble
Spiritual maturity comes through … suffering. And suffering from failure. So we welcome life-changing trouble. This article by BCC counselor Donna Hart, PhD, appeared first here on her blog. It has always seemed a bit counterintuitive that God would bring us to maturity through the challenges of suffering. There is a simple equation in James 1:2-4 for producing a mature faith. … Read More
7 Insights on Staying Power
As we learn the staying power of Jesus and how he stepped into the crisis moments of our lives, we can help others. We too have the ability to endure. Please share this article by Dr. Donna Hart, which appeared first here on her blog, with the people you care about. Thanks. We often wonder how we should respond to … Read More
Dementia: Hope for the Caregiver
My in-laws are in their 80s and slowing down, but don’t have dementia. My mom died young — a heart attack after many decades of smoking — and didn’t develop dementia. And neither did my dad who passed on six months ago. But I have had the opportunity of counseling folks whose loved ones have these life-stealing, memory-dimming cognitive disorder. And … Read More
Learning to Trust Again (After a Deep Hurt)
Learning to trust again again is difficult, isn’t it? But, in God’s strength, you can trust someone who has cut you deeply. In this practical article, you’ll learn three main things: Losing trust in someone is hard. Learning to trust again is possible! Developing a mindset to trust is essential. But there’s a caveat: In certain circumstances, it would not be … Read More
Counseling Childhood Sexual Abuse
Childhood sexual abuse is alarmingly common. And counseling people who’ve endured childhood sexual abuse is difficult for any counselor. In this article by Joshua Waulk, director of Baylight Counseling, you’ll learn the importance of patience in the counseling process. You’ll also see why the church must get involved. “We will remember that God waits while we learn.” Diane Langberg, PhD, author of … Read More
Got Depression? Take Every Thought Captive!
Taking every thought captive moves a counselee toward hope, especially while facing depression. Today’s guest blogger is Joshua Waulk, the Founder and Executive Director of Baylight Counseling, a nonprofit biblical counseling ministry in Clearwater, Florida. “I’m stuck, and I feel like God’s nowhere to be found.” “I can’t get over how they treated me—like I’m something less than human.” “There’s no … Read More
What’s God’s Goal for You in Suffering?
God’s ultimate goal for you. . .what is it? Wealth? Health? Or something so much better? BCC staff counselor and trainer Donna Hart, PhD encourages you to focus on God’s ultimate goal when your circumstances overwhelm you. This article appeared first at her blog. –Ed. When circumstances overwhelm us, our spirits can feel like they are growing faint, causing us to … Read More
Domestic Abuse: How to Counsel Victims
Here’s wisdom on counseling victims of domestic abuse. Guest writer Joshua Waulk, director of Baylight Counseling, says domestic abuse, in all forms, is anti-gospel and anti-Christ. His article appeared first on his blog and is used with permission. Domestic abuse, in all forms, represents a gross departure from how Scripture portrays biblical marriage, including the example of self-sacrificial love modeled … Read More
