Identifying the real problems thatrob a person of peace and joy. by Maire Rogevich The hospital emergency room bustled with activity around nine o’clock on a weeknight. My mother and father checked me in to triage. I stood between them, my body feeling weaker and weaker, my eyelids fluttering open and closed. I could…
Author: nowwhat
Get a Grip!
Betty J. Johnson Life is a deep black hole and I’m stuck. Physical problems bombard my body — or do they exist only in my mind? I’m drowning in a sea of pain and confusion. Where do I turn for help? This morning I read a Bible scripture which reminds me to have faith…
Dare to Defeat Depression
How to find handles when you’re losing your grip. by JoAnn Reno Wray Janice [1] opened the closet door, knelt, pushed shoes aside, and crawled into the farthest corner, shutting the door behind her. In the dark, she grabbed a stack of folded sweaters, pulled them on top of her body, and curled into…
Understanding Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is nothing to be ashamed of. After a woman gives birth, changes in her hormone levels can spark a host of rollercoaster emotions. According to the National Women’s Health Information Center (www.4woman.gov/FAQ/postpartum.htm — one of many helpful Web sites devoted to aiding women suffering with this condition), postpartum depression may be caused by…
Beyond the Baby Blues
Finding the courage to cope. by Kathryn Cox Love him, my mind demanded. Tears dripped from my chin, wetting a pale blue nightgown I still wore late afternoon. The stubbornness of my heart forced me to accept the unthinkable: I don’t feel anything; I can’t love him. Through swollen eyes, I gazed into the…
Anxiety: Fight It or Feed It
With determination and the right weapons,we can conquer this enemy of peace. by V. Neil Wyrick Have you heard about the man who had a plane to catch at an early hour? Having set his alarm, he sat on the edge of his bed all night long to make sure it went off on…
Why Pick Second Best?
When it comes to eternal issues, put first things first. by Trey Graham Have you ever read about the gymnast who, after earning a gold medal, chose to accept the silver instead? Have you ever witnessed someone stating his or her preference to be named salutatorian instead of valedictorian? Do you know anyone who…
The Regal Gospel
Royal treatment from the true King. by Roy Gee The gospel is a regal thing. Jesus said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God . . .” (Luke 4:43). Abraham Lincoln said that God must love common people because He made so many of them. The cynic says God must…
Lamb of God?
The Messiah showed the power of paradox. by Gary B. Swanson By this time in his life, Abraham was used to obeying God without question. So when the command came in the night “Go to Moriah and sacrifice your son,” Abraham set out. For him it was just that simple. When he and his…
The Christ of the Lonely
The nearness of Christ in the ache of emptiness. by Bob Hostetler For many people, holidays are a time of joy and nostalgia. But for others, holiday sights and sounds open painful wounds. The widow, with every greeting card she opens, is pierced anew with the pain of facing her first holiday season without…