5 top Christian blog posts of the week. Posts by Pat Quinn, Scotty Smith, Christianity Today, and more on anxiety and depression, COVID-19 ministry, the gentle heart of Christ, and more.
Anxiety, Depression and the Comfort of Christ
Pastor Pat Quinn, writing at the Biblical Counseling Coalition’s Grace & Truth blog, shares words of Christ-centered comfort from those struggling with anxiety and depression—especially in these COVID-19 days. Pat’s intro and conclusion capture the essence of his post, but please be sure to read the entire—very Christ-encouraging—post here at Anxiety, Depression and the Comfort of Christ.
Pat’s introduction:
“The purpose of this blog is two-fold. First, I want to briefly remind us of the complexities of anxiety and depression so that we may provide wise and relevant care. Second, we will explore the specific comforts Christ offers to those dealing with anxiety and depression, particularly in this time of disruption and uncertainty.”
Pat’s conclusion:
“The best help we offer people who are experiencing anxiety or depression is not merely a more effective form of Christian cognitive-behavioral therapy, but Christ Himself and all He offers us now and ultimately in heaven: His sympathetic understanding, His comforting presence, His curse-bearing death, His continual intercession, and His promise of perfect wholeness and joy with Him forever.”
Listening After Lockdown
At Biblical Counselling UK, Louise MacMillan encourages us to allow the infinite gentleness of Jesus to spill over and out of our hearts and lips as we respond gently to one another.
“As we emerge from lockdown, albeit very slowly, I wonder if we need to re-learn how to listen well, to really hear what other people are saying. Let me explain. Our worlds shrank dramatically on the 23rd of March and I wonder what we need to do to enlarge these worlds once more. As we creep back out into the world, how can we learn to listen?
How do we function as fragile people relating to other fragile people (many of us afraid of how the future might look)? Fragility requires gentleness.”
You can enjoy the rest of Louise’s compelling post here at Listening After Lockdown.
Trusting the Lord of Peace
One of my favorite bloggers in the world is Pastor Scotty Smith. He posts daily “prayer blogs” like this one Trusting the Lord of Peace. Each day Pastor Scotty takes a passage and blogs a prayer based on it. Today he begins with this prayer based on 2 Thessalonians 3:16:
“‘Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.’ Heavenly Father, we adore and trust you for many reasons. Today, in particular, we rejoice in your gift of peace. In Paul’s words, you promise peace ‘at all times and in every situation.’ Thank you, and we will receive!”
Prayerfully ponder and apply the rest of Pastor Smith’s prayer blog here at Trusting the Lord of Peace.
A Review of Gentle and Lowly
I’ve been recommending Dane Ortlund’s new book to everyone who will listen. If you haven’t been blessed yet by it, please order your copy now of Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. Pastor Dave Dunham just posted an excellent review. Here’s Pastor Dave’s concluding summary:
“You will be immensely blessed, Christian, if you read this book. You will understand Christ and the gospel in fresh and encouraging ways; you will be challenged to evaluate your own presentation of Christ and your own thinking of God; and you will be more able to help others who struggle with the assurance of God’s love by reading this book!”
You can benefit from the rest of Dave’s review here at A Review of Gentle and Lowly.
Ministries Face the Real Trafficking Crisis During COVID-19
At Christianity Today, Kara Bettis reminds us that “desperation and isolation put vulnerable populations at risk.” Embedded in this article is an eye-opening summary quote from Biblical Counseling Coalition council board member Eliza Huie.
“Isolation increases abusers’ access to victims and restricts the ability of victims to ask for help, said Eliza Huie, author of Raising Teens in a Hyper-Sexualized World and director of counseling at David Platt’s McLean Bible Church. In addition to paying attention to those at risk of addiction and mental illness, churches should also pay attention to the signs of those who may be at risk for domestic abuse.”
Learn more about how the church can respond in Ministries Face the Real Trafficking Crisis During COVID-19.
Join the Conversation
Which post impacted you the most? Why and how?
What additional blog posts from the past week do you recommend?
