We love being a part of your life!

Tim Clinton, Ed.D.
President, AACC

July 28 – Aug 3

Stress and Demands

Action Step

1. Gain Perspective
• Gain some perspective on what is causing the stress. “Break apart” the stress overload into manageable pieces, and begin to address each component.
2. Consider What God Is Doing
• One of the best antidotes to stress is seeing God’s purposes in the difficulties and believing that God intends some good outcome.
• God may use certain situations to develop one of the fruits of the Spirit in you. Knowing that God uses every situation—even the petty, irritating situations of life—to teach you to become more like Jesus can help you feel less stressed by things you cannot control.
3. Get Alone with God
• Planned times of quiet and solitude are a good balance to a busy life.
• Cultivating a heart of prayer helps you see God’s perspective and to more fully experience His presence throughout the day (Ps. 16:8–11).
• Many use prayer as a way to change a stressful situation. Although this is not a bad idea, often prayer does not change the situation as much as it changes you and your orientation to stressful people and situations.
• As you purposely quiet your heart each day, the Holy Spirit has a chance to change the way you see your stressful situation.
4. Share Your Burden with Others
• You can share your burden literally or figuratively. In other words, you can ask others to help with some of your responsibilities and you can talk about your stressors, which can bring relief and prayer support.
• Perhaps some of the stress is because you’re doing too much. Even Moses had to delegate when he got overwhelmed (Exod. 18:13–23). Maybe you can do the same.
5. Guard Your Heart
• Stress has a way of orienting us toward the things that are wrong in our lives. It pushes us to forget the good and godly things in our life and, instead, to see and believe that only bad things are going on.
• Guard your heart and mind against such stress-induced negativity and pessimism. Take time each day to check your thinking and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5), focusing on God and allowing him to change your perspective.
6. Live Intentionally
• Stop majoring in minor things. At the end of life, many will realize that they spent most of their time on what mattered least, and the least time on what mattered most.
• Decide what is really important, choose your priorities, and live for them.
• Become more intentional about the way you spend your time and energy. Learn to say no to things that are just not that important.
7. Get Help (Respect Your Limits)
• Often our lives become filled with stress because we refuse to accept our limits or we are completely boxed in and paralyzed by them.
• Feeling overwhelmed may be a reminder that you are not living within the limits and boundaries that God has created for you. It may be time to reevaluate, cut back, say no, or slow down. Even Moses was confronted by his father-in-law, Jethro, for doing more than he should have been doing (Exod. 18:17–18).
8. Laugh a Little (Laugh a Lot)
• Allow for some levity in your life. Take time for a comic strip, a favorite saying, a joke.
• From time to time, find something to laugh about for so long and so hard that your sides hurt when you are done.

Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. -Benjamin Franklin

Biblical Insights

Jesus reminded His followers: “in the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). The prophet Isaiah wrote that God gives peace in spite of conflict and turmoil. Peace is so basic to God’s nature that it is part of His name. God the Father is the “God of peace” (Phil. 4:9; Heb. 13:20). God the Son is the Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6). The Holy Spirit produces peace in our lives (Gal. 5:22). To have “perfect peace,” wrote Isaiah, we must focus our minds on God and trust in Him.

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. John 14:1

The disciples were bewildered and discouraged. Jesus had said He was going away, that He would die, that one of the disciples was a traitor, and that Peter would deny Him.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” Jesus told them. Believers can rest their troubled hearts, knowing that Jesus is in control regardless of the circumstances.

Persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed . . . 2 Corinthians 4:9

For us, each day is filled with different levels of stress. Regardless of occupation, age, social status, or lifestyle, we experience stress. We bring some stressors on ourselves—because of poor planning, saying yes too often, or being disorganized. We need to learn from these experiences so we don’t allow ourselves to become overwhelmed again. Stress also arises from factors outside our control—the weather, a broken computer, an unexpected difficulty or sorrow. At these times, we can control only our reactions to the stress. Our reactions reveal our character and our trust in God.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Stress and its companion, worry, do their best to immobilize believers. People are anxious about the future; they are anxious about events that haven’t happened but could happen. So what can believers do about their stresses? When we give our stress to God, He replaces it with His peace that “surpasses all understanding.” When we feel stress rising, we should turn to God in prayer. He will give us the peace He promised.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. James 1:2–3

Everyone faces trials in one form or another. We cannot control what we will encounter, but we can control the stress level that situations cause. Instead of being stressed, we can try being joyful. Joy is not a natural reaction to difficulty, but one that the Holy Spirit can provide. For this to happen we must choose an attitude that looks expectantly to the lessons God will teach and the wisdom He will provide. There’s no better prescription for dealing with stress.

How do you turn it around? Jesus shares in John 16:33 that, “In the world you will have trouble…but take courage; I have overcome the world.” You are not alone. You can overcome…even the in the most dire circumstances. Even in mistakes of your own making. The Savior who walked on water will lift you out of the mire and set your feet on solid ground.

A person usually winds up going in the direction they are facing. Cast your eyes upon Him. See Him. Reach for Him. Admit where you are. Realize whose you are. Your freedom is at hand. And by the way…winners always look up!
 

A quick reference with counseling wisdom and biblical insights to help make you more effective at what you do.

We love being a part of your life!

Tim Clinton, Ed.D.
President, AACC

July 21 – July 28
Abortion

Action Steps

For the Woman Contemplating Abortion

1. Consider Options
• You may feel that your only option is an abortion. This simply isn’t so. Throughout the United States, there are nearly three thousand Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC) staffed by volunteers who want to give true alternatives and who will lovingly help you.
• Find the nearest CPC in your community. Look in the Yellow Pages under the heading “Abortion Alternatives” or call 1-800- 848-LOVE.
2. Communicate
• You will need to communicate with other family members about the situation.
• Assess how to do that (depending on what you know of the family members). You may need to be involved as a third party in such a conversation.
3. Get Help
• Encourage the young woman and her parents to contact the Crisis Pregnancy Center together.
4. Follow Up
• Be sure to follow up with her by setting another appointment.
• Although you may regret your pregnancy, you can begin immediately to make some wise choices regarding the future of your baby.

For the Woman Who Had an Abortion in the Past

1. Tell Your Story
• Continue to tell your story through future counseling sessions and journaling.
2. Get Help
• Several organizations and materials exist to facilitate the healing from abortion.
• Know which ones exist in your area for a referral. Some possible organizations are A Time To Speak, Project Rachael, and Victims of Choice.
3. Find Support
• If there is a confidential grief support group in your area, encourage your counselee to attend.
4. Be Reassured
• Be sure to communicate both verbally and nonverbally your acceptance of her and God’s forgiveness to her.

Healing from an abortion is a process and certainly cannot be accomplished in one session; however, healing is possible. Reassure your counselee that forgiveness, including an ability to accept God’s forgiveness and to forgive herself, are possible through God’s grace. Abortion is not the unforgivable sin.

Biblical Insights

• This verse shows God’s protection of the most defenseless people on the planet— children in the womb. Even causing a premature but otherwise healthy birth was a punishable offense.
  God is the champion of life and has always protected women, children, and the weakest members of society.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. -Psalm 139:16

God knows each person from the moment of conception. His eyes see the unformed body in the mother’s womb. Many claim that a child in the womb is no more than a mass of tissue, but the Bible makes it clear that God sees the tiny embryo as a new life with a future already prepared. To abort a child is to end a human life unjustly.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. -Jeremiah 1:5

God is well acquainted with every individual from the time each person is conceived. He has plans for each one. God knows everything, so He knows that some young lives will end all too soon.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. -Matthew 2:16

Although the arguments over abortion almost always use the language of agonizing choices between two lives, the practice of abortion almost always comes down to the choice between a life and convenience or between a life and other plans or between a life and a lifestyle.

The thinking that makes an unborn child disposable doesn’t have to change much before people consider the elimination of unwanted living children.

The defenders of the “right of choice” believe they can make any choice they want and that a choice is right because they made it. Choice may be a human right, but every choice isn’t a right one.

There is an absolute standard in the character and revelation of God. All choices we make will be measured against this standard and we will be accountable for them.
Focus on heaven and God’s care of the child for eternity (see 2 Sam. 12:22–23).

Dr. Tim Clinton

You look at it a lot, but do you see things clearly? Check out the mirror on your cars passenger side. Do you see anything? There is a little message across the bottom. It reads, “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear.” That’s because the mirror is slightly bent to give a wider field of vision. But the images are distorted… things seem farther away than they really are. Not realizing this could be dangerous. Even disastrous. You must pay close attention when using this mirror. The reflection is there, but you must realize that things are not as they seem.

Sometimes, it feels like God is far away. That is because we live in a bent world. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:12 that we are looking in a mirror that gives us a distorted reflection. As you look into this “mirror” you must do so in light of God’s Word. Satan is the prince of the power of the air and he is referred to as an “angel of light.” Feelings can be deceptive. The images of this world may look enticing, but partaking of them will end in certain disaster.

The journey of your Christ walk is unclear some days, and takes perseverance. You plan your days, and then the Lord directs your paths. And He promises that one day all will be perfectly clear when we see Him face to face. That is something to look forward to. Hunger and thirst after Him… you will be satisfied.

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Action Steps

The following Action Steps are directed to the counselor.

1. Arrange for a Contract and Accountability
• Help the addict commit to some form of accountability and help, at the most serious level to which he or she will agree. If the client will sign a contract with you, agreeing to stop use and get immediate help for the addiction, he or she is serious about change. If not this, seek an agreement for a time-limited period, at least until your next meeting with the client. Help the person make a commitment to some type of Christian recovery program or to attend a local AA meeting and get a sponsor.
2. Prevent the User from Driving While Intoxicated
• To protect family members, the user, and innocent bystanders, you need to convince this person to stop driving or doing anything while under the influence.
• The Club and other antitheft devices prohibit driving; sophisticated electronic devices can prevent driving unless a Breathalyzer test is first passed.
• Point out that this is for the good of the client and others, and that continued use of the substance will cause repercussions in the rest of his or her life—not being able to drive to work or to go other places.
• Develop a plan with the counselee restricting driving privileges the first time he or she drives under the influence (this means the counselor or a responsible adult in the counselee’s life will take the keys to the vehicle of the counselee). It would be a good idea for the plan to be signed by both the counselor and the client to enhance accountability and participation. This sets a clear boundary regarding substance abuse and imitates what will happen if a DUI citation is imposed.
3. Assure a Thorough Medical Checkup
• A medical exam will rule out any medical problems caused by use of the substance.
• An addiction such as alcoholism in its late stages progresses to a diseased state, so treatment from a doctor is certainly recommended.
• A physician can also prescribe any medicine that may be helpful to sobriety, especially when a dual disorder is involved.
4. Get Professional Help
• Encourage the user to allow a professional in chemical dependency to assess whether the substance use is an addiction. Such assessments are available at community mental health agencies, some hospitals, and community substance abuse centers (common in urban and suburban areas and through county governments in many rural areas). A professional counselor can also be very helpful in assessing and treating an addiction, or a dual disorder, if one is present.
5. Encourage Family Members to Seek Support
• Your community may have various 12-step support groups, such as Al-Anon, Families Anonymous, or a Christ-centered recovery program. You may need to do some research and direct the family to a good program. These programs are based on the “Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous,” the most successful program in the world to date for treating addiction.

Biblical Insights

• Many alcoholics are so dependent on alcohol that they begin early in the morning and continue drinking until late at night.
• The tragedy of addiction is that it influences and dominates the desires and choices of the addicted.
• The even greater tragedy is that addicted people reject the Lord’s work in their lives. God alone can provide the lasting comfort, joy, and relief that people mistakenly seek in alcohol.

• Addictions are powerful enemies to our relationship with God. Whether the addiction is to alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, web-surfing, shopping, or whatever, addicted people can attest to their apparent inability to control their desires.
• Addictions usually begin very subtly—an experience, substance, or individual that brings pleasure begins to become an obsession. Eventually, the obsession takes control. Rarely can a person escape the addiction without some form of intervention.
• Addicts must determine to change, replace the addictive substance with something more wholesome, and then finally find a different way to meet their need.
• Addictions destroy individuals, families, friendships, reputations, and careers. Addictions make people victims of their own desires and compulsions.
• Despite all this, God offers hope to the addict. God wants to free His people from anything that takes His rightful place in their lives. He wants to show them that He can meet all their needs. With God’s help and the compassionate accountability of other believers, addicts can be set free—bought back. Jesus has already paid the price.

• God gave people “richly all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17), but Satan works tirelessly to take God’s blessings and twist them into evil.
• Believers may enjoy many things, as long as Scripture does not forbid them, but they must never allow themselves to be controlled or “brought under the power of any.”

• These verses describe some of those sinful desires that believers should “put to death.” Sexual sins, evil desires, and covetousness (a form of idolatry) should have no place in a believer’s heart.
• It takes a conscious daily decision to say no to these sinful temptations and rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome them.
• Read with the client: Ephesians 1:15–21; Colossians 1:9–18; 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20; and Titus 1:2.

I believe that God intended for us to experience a mood that is the “flip side” of anxiety. If we are to understand the “disorder” of anxiety, we must understand the “order” that sin has disordered. What normal, healthy, God-given process has become perturbed in anxiety?

Vigilance

Anxiety is vigilance out of control and out of context. God designed us with the mood of vigilance which is meant to move us to relationship and impact. With vigilance, God puts us in fast motion, urges us to act quickly in response to a life threat.

Anxiety is “stuck vigilance.” Vigilance is proper, constructive concern for the well-being of others, the world, and self. Anxiety is vigilance minus faith in the Father. Vigilance results in tend and befriend behavior. Anxiety results in flight or fight behavior.

Anxiety is vigilance that does not turn us back to trust. It leads us to a toxic scanning of our environment. God says, “Be vigilant! Be alert! Take your stand, and having done all, stand firm! Quit ye like men!”

Anxiety says, “What if? I can’t handle this! I have to run. I have to fight. I have to self-protect!” Anxiety is scanning without standing. Instead of scanning and standing, we scan, and scan, and scan… It is continual worry. Continued “what if?” thinking and feeling.

The Family Tree of Anxiety

Vigilant faith, anxiety, and anger are cousins. Their family tree? Vigor, from which we gain three related words: vigilante, vigil, and vigorous. Anxiety and anger involve vigilance without faith and without love. They are non-trust, non-relational responses to threat.

Vigilance, on the other hand, is a trust, relational response to threat. It relates to others by protecting the person being threatened. It relates to others by engaging, challenging, confronting (not attacking) the person doing the threatening. It relates to God by trusting that what He calls me to do, he equips me to fulfill.

Picture it this way:

1. Anger: The Fight Response to Threat—Attack: Vigilante Justice.

   Taking matters into my own hands.

2. Anxiety: The Flight Response to Threat—Retreat: Vigil without Action.

   Taking my safety into my own hands. “If I worry enough, at least I feel as if I have some control.”

3. Vigilance: The Faith Response to Threat—Befriend and Tend (Engage and Protect): Vigorous Response.

Taking the safety of myself and others and surrendering it to God’s hands while I take a stand for God’s plan. It is befriending and tending to others even when I am threatened.

Called to Sentry Duty

The root “vig” relates to sentry. God built into our brains a sentry. A sentinel. Adam went off sentry duty when he allowed his wife to be attacked by Satan without intervening. He failed to use his vigor—his energy, force, power given to him from God to “keep the garden” and to “cleave to his wife.”

Where does fear fit into this equation? We know that fear is a God-given emotion. We are called to fear God. Why did God create us with a capacity to fear, and how does fear run amok?

Fear is our response to uncertainty about our resources in the face of danger. We are assaulted by a force that overwhelms us. Then we are compelled to face that we are helpless and that ultimately our safety is out of our control. Faith faces this reality by trusting in the unseen reality of a God who cares and controls. Fear compels me to face my neediness.

Anxiety is fear without faith. It is vigilance run amok. We scan the horizon constantly, fearfully, but without ever taking action or responsibility. And without clinging to God.

Biblical Models

Jesus models constructive vigilance in the garden. He faced His dread of death (Matthew 26:39). And He placed faith in His Father’s good heart and strong hands (Matthew 26:39).

Jesus’ disciples modeled destructive fear and anxiety. Peter at one point chose the fight response of vigilante justice—cutting off an ear! At another point Peter chose the flight response of vigil without action—denying the Lord three times. All of the disciples displayed the inability to hold a vigil. “Could you not keep vigil with me one hour?”

Faith or Fear?

Healthy vigilance and a godly response to fear prompt us to relationship: trusting God with faith. And it prompts us to impact: protecting others through vigilance with vigor.

Abnormal, unhealthy, sinful anxiety prompts us to retreat from relationship: we turn to inward scanning without relational trust in God. And it prompts us to retreat from impact: we experience vigilance without vigor as we self-protect instead of lovingly and strongly protecting others.

Fear of God roots us in the essence of existence not in the externals of our situation. Where does fear drive us? To protect ourselves through the flight response of anxiety or the fight response of anger? Or to God, our Protector who empowers us to tend and befriend (“Guard the garden!”)?

This world is full of uncertainty. Despite our best efforts, we are not able to control our destiny or guarantee the future. And, in response to that, we frequently engage in the time-honored tradition of worrying. As the most common emotional issue in the United States (affecting around 25% of the population), anxiety presents a real and formidable challenge to people, and the counselors who help them. And, on this important issue, God is not silent. He frequently addresses fear/anxiety/worry in the Scriptures, and provides concrete counsel that we would do well to heed.

Most are familiar with Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Part of that sermon deals with the issue of anxiety (6:25-34). With genuine pastoral concern, Jesus helps anxious people to see that there are more important things in life (v. 25); that God will take care of them, no matter what (v. 26, 28-32); that their worry is counterproductive anyway; and that their best approach is to pursue God, who meets all their needs (v. 33).

In the midst of all this, He directs their attention away from themselves and their uncertain future, and toward God, who is certain. He turns their minds away from the incessant “what-ifs?” of the future to the “what-nows?” of the present, where they can actually do something (v. 34). He shows them that their faith deficit is the cause of their fear surplus (v. 30). Realizing and resting in these facts helps to quell the storms of anxiety that rage within the soul (cf. Mark 4:35-41).

In addition to concrete advice for the anxious, Jesus also exemplifies the way counselors should approach the anxious in their care. Don’t miss the subtle humor, as Jesus points to the birds and flowers, for which God so richly provides, while anxious people worry that he will forget about them. As Jesus does this, He is showing His anxious people that their worries are, frankly, a little silly. It’s important that anxious people see that there is no good reason for their anxiety. And yet, as Jesus corrects them there is no hint of condescension or mockery in His voice. He is not belittling those who struggle. No, out of genuine love and concern, He shows them the futility of their anxieties. In the same way, when we approach people struggling with anxiety, we must do so with love, compassion, and understanding.

There is more. We’ve seen that Jesus prescription for anxiety is to trust that God will care for them. Most people talking with a Christian counselor would affirm this. However, as we well know, anxiety often persists. People also need to know what sort of God takes care of them, and the basis for that care.

In Colossians 1:15-23, we get a picture of Jesus that should forever dispel our fears and anxieties. In this passage, Christ is lifted up as supreme over all things. All things were created by Him, and belong to Him (v. 16), and He upholds all things in their current state (v. 17). This Jesus not only cares for us, He quite literally has everything under control! So, we can say to fearful people what Peter said in 1 Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourself and put all your anxieties into the mighty hand of God, because He cares for you” (our paraphrase).

Not only that, the Jesus depicted in this passage is also the Jesus who gave His life for His people (vv. 20-23). Though at one point we were alienated and hostile against Him, He has brought reconciliation to us through His death on our behalf, so that now we are holy, blameless and above reproach in His presence. This guarantees complete security.

His work on the cross has secured our current wellbeing and our future destiny. This Jesus who rules over everything also redeems us from our worst enemies—sin, Satan, and self. Thus we see that in our anxieties, the same God who rules over and controls all things, loves us and is so invested in caring for us that He was willing to die for us. As the hymn says, “My strength, my solace from this spring: that He who lives to be my King, once died to be my Savior.”

In Philippians 4:5-8, Paul directs Christians to “be anxious for nothing,” but rather to abound in gratitude and prayer. Gratitude recognizes all that God has done to provide for our need. Prayer expresses faith that He will continue doing so. Through this, we are assured that “the peace of God…will guard [our] hearts and…minds.” In all this we are directed to think about certain things (whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy). Though other things may fit the bill, each of these qualities is exemplified in the Gospel of Jesus. It is on these things that we set our minds, rather than the never-ending uncertainties in life. Thus, our hearts and our minds are protected from anxiety.

In our anxiety, we must turn our attention away from the things that make us anxious and to God, who provides for and protects us. We turn our attention to the glorious God who has made, owns, and rules over all things, the God who shows us His love for us by dying for us, the God who promises us a life and a future, no matter what our fears may say. Jesus directs us to faith (Matthew 6:30).

But faith is not a Pollyannaish notion that everything will always go right. No, faith is the recognition that we ourselves cannot accomplish what is needed, and the trust that God will and has through Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf. Sometimes fearful things will happen to us. But, with eyes fixed to the cross, we can “walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” and still “fear no evil” because God is with us.

When it comes to the topic of depression, one must also discuss the difficult issue of anti-depressant medication. There are at least two major “camps” on the issue: those who believe that medication can and at times should be used, and those who believe that using medication is often a violation of Scripture. The books listed below represent both beliefs. While the author has convictions toward one side of the argument, each of these books listed below are recommended reading for ministers who are helping those struggling with depression.

Many pastors do not know the meaning of the word, “no”. They continue to minister, even when they are spiritually depleted. Left unchecked, the pastor can find himself dealing with discouragement and depression which can ultimately lead to removal from ministry. Wayne Cordeiro writes from personal experience of the time in his life when he “burned out” in his ministry.

Filled with scriptural examples from the lives of Elijah, Moses, Jeremiah, and David, Pastor Cordeiro leads us on a journey to not only overcome depression in the ministry, but how to steer clear of paths that would lead us there. Each chapter deals with specific issues related to pastoral ministry, and the book is littered with opportunities to chronicle your own journey in the ministry. Also included in each chapter are quotes and examples from other famous leaders and pastors in history, including Abraham Lincoln and Charles Haddon Spurgeon, to remind us that we do not suffer alone in ministry. This is a great read for those who are in the ministry—it gives permission for the minister of the gospel to rest, to care for one’s family while ministering to the families in his care, and a reminder to care for one’s own body. An excellent, preventative book that should be in every pastor’s library.

Written by a pastor and a doctor, both of whom have direct ties to depression, Seeing in the Dark is their attempt to address some of the myths surrounding depression. Suggesting a comprehensive approach, the authors present a case for strong biblical counseling and possibly medication in helping counselees overcome their battle. The authors make it very clear that they are trying to give you permission to use medication to help overcome depression. They also attempt to show how, scientifically speaking, some people are prone to depression (using examples like post-partum depression and seasonal affective disorder). However, rather than leave us with just a pro-medication book, they argue that what is really at stake with most depression is not chemical imbalances, but our thought processes. Rather than let circumstances dictate our response, we need to filter everything through the Word of God as well as allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. From there, other biblical arguments are made to help those struggling with depression to live by grace through faith, trusting God each step of the way. While very much a pro-medication book, the authors continually point us back to the Bible, the only place answers are found to help us deal with depression.

Depression affects all of us—whether it’s ourselves or someone we know, depression is almost as common as a common cold. Yet the treatment for depression is as varied as there are flavors of ice cream. Dr. Mack calls us back to the Word of God, in which there are many principles that teach us about depression and how we can help others overcome it. Dr. Mack helps us by defining what he calls the three stages of depression, and how to assist those struggling in these different stages. Referring to many different biblical examples, including Jesus Himself, Dr. Mack points us to biblical principles in helping the counselee overcome depression. Ultimately, our hope is found in God, and we must seek to discover the God who is above the circumstances in our lives that brings us to depression.

A specific chapter is dedicated to the topic of those who are depressed in dealing with the loss of a loved one. A final chapter is arranged as a “question/answer” section dealing with issues surrounding depression and unique circumstances such as suicide and medication. This is a profitable book that points us directly to biblical principles to help pastors in their counseling ministries.

Dr. Meier believes that some of the problems people face are a result of chemical imbalances in the brain, most specifically serotonin. However, Dr. Meier does not simply suggest medicating the problem, but accurately diagnosing the root of these issues, and then proceeding accordingly. Answers always come from a right understanding and application of Scripture, but sometimes medication is necessary to allow the counselee the ability to follow Scripture.

Dealing with many issues like anxiety, depression, paranoia, panic attacks, and others, Dr. Meier’s book is a great primer on how to help those struggling with these issues. Most importantly, it gives answers to those who have questions about medication and chemical imbalances. And, while those who disagree with using medication to help those struggling with medication may not appreciate this book, Dr. Meier never suggests medicating the problem alone. Strong, biblical counseling is always at the heart of helping people. Filled with real-life examples, including Dr. Meier’s own story dealing with ADHD, this book is filled with the hope that can be found in overcoming depression.

I’m not a believer in New Years resolutions. Why? Because most people make New Year’s resolutions without creating a plan of action. “I resolve to work smarter.” “I resolve to be more organized.” “I resolve to exercise more.” These are all great resolutions, but what needs to happen each day to achieve the goal? Without an action plan, it is almost impossible to stay on task and reach your goals.

I encourage all of you to develop a rolling 12 month plan. Instead of focusing on the idea of a year long resolution, make a monthly schedule of goal related tasks and reminders. Keep your focus on 3 month periods of time, and add and drop months as you move through the year. At the end of every 30 days, evaluate your progress through the previous 30 days and through the previous months. This way, if you get off track, you can reevaluate and keep working towards achieving your goals.”

I hope this can be helpful to you and your clients as we begin a brand new year!  May it be a great one that glorifies our Mighty God!!  Blessings, Amy Feigel (AACC Director of Member Care)