Hope for the Hurting

The Journey From Depression Into Joy
When someone is depressed, they have a choice to make: to either let depression define them or to desire joy bad enough to seek after it with obedience and sacrifice. Jesus offered us the same joy he had; the fullest possible joy. This journey from depression into joy can be very hard, but if we want joy bad enough, we will seek after it. Read more for how to shift your mindset to lead a joy-filled life.

3 Ways for Handling Rejection in a Healthy Way
Did you know that our brain reacts to rejection the same way it does when we experience physical pain? Yet, too often, we don’t take the time to process our emotions surrounding rejection in a healthy way. We may deny our hearts the space it needs to heal. Or cultivate and sow seeds of bitterness about what happened. Jessica Van Roekel shares three steps we can use to handle rejection in a healthy way.

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength
Depression can be perpetuated by focusing on ourselves and our own pain, but when we focus instead on others and their needs, our own pain is lessened. It makes us feel good and gives us a fresh perspective of the verse in Nehemiah 8:10 that says, “the joy of the Lord is my strength.” Read more for how to shift your focus when you’re feeling down or in despair.

Dealing with Rejection by Asking Three Questions
Rejection is painful and leaves an emotional scar. We’ve all experienced it at some time, but what’s the best way to deal with it? Jessica Van Roekel shares how to deal with rejection by asking three questions that will reframe the experience and filter it through God’s word. You can reframe rejection so that you find courage and walk with hope.

You Are Not Alone! God is With You!
Through my experiences as a neuropsychologist and my own journey through depression, I’ve learned that even in hard times, including depression, cancer, or relationship difficulties, I could still rejoice and you can too! Whatever hard times you are going through, you are not alone! God is with you!

12 Tips for How to Spot a Narcissist Early
What is narcissism? Are all narcissists men? What’s the difference between narcissistic abuse and domestic abuse? In this article, I share answers to these questions as well as tips that will help you spot a narcissist early. If you think you may be in a relationship with a narcissist, be sure to read more for some early warning signs to look out for, so you can avoid getting too attached to someone who isn’t good for you.

This Thing Called Depression: Signs and Symptoms
Are you struggling with depression? God already knows what you’re struggling with and He wants to heal you and give you hope. For myself, I was the doctor who treated patients for over 20 years when I suffered through the dark night of my soul. I thought I was supposed to be able to prevent that from happening to me, and to have all the answers. Experience is a very valuable teacher. Now that I’ve personally experienced it, I understand what depression is, how it presents, what it feels like, and how to treat it much better. In this post, I share the most common signs and symptoms of depression, along with resources that offer help, hope and healing.

Telling a Better Kind of Time
What do you believe about time? Is it a commodity? Something to be spent and wasted and saved? Or is it really a gift given to us by God? We are not in control of time, but we can inhabit the time that God gives us without resorting to anxiety about getting everything done that we hope and plan.

Is It Grief Or Depression?
“Is it grief or something more?” That’s a question I’m often asked as a board certified clinical neuropsychologist. Everyone grieves differently. Do you know the signs and symptoms to watch for when grief progresses into depression? Learn more here.

Limit Your New Year’s Resolutions to “One Thing Alone”
Have you set your New Year’s Resolutions? Whether you are trying to stop drinking, stop overeating, stop spending, stop mindlessly scrolling through social media, or binge-watching shows… whatever you’re “resolving” to do more of or less of this year, one thing alone will help you with all these other things. Wendy Speake shares about that one thing in today’s post.