Marja Bergen

author, mental health advocate, follower of Christ

Category: Mental Health and Faith (page 1 of 39)

Part 9 – The nature of open door groups

LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR I believe that Living Room’s Open Door is not about religion, regardless of what our beliefs might be or not be. It’s simply about Jesus and his immeasurable love for ALL of us—for people of all faiths or for people of no faith at all. It is about a love that […]

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Part 6 – He heals us with his love

LIVING ROOM’S OPEN DOOR The following was written by Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices […]

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Part 4 – Thinking of being a facilitator?

LIVING ROOM OPEN DOOR – Have you had thoughts about facilitating a Living Room group? Perhaps you would like to share how your faith has helped you live with your mental health problems. You may have learned coping techniques that you would like to pass along so that the people in your group could learn […]

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Part two – Faith is vitally important for mental health

THE OPEN DOOR – Faith in Someone greater than ourselves can bring us a sense of well-being that isn’t available elsewhere. Not with medication nor endless counselling. Faith can help us develop the following: A sense of hope A reason for living Strength to cope with hardships Confidence Relief from anxiety, stress, and fear Ability […]

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A message for the child in you

CLOSER TO HIM – Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer: “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my […]

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Most important – spiritual support

LIVING ROOM – Some thoughts for churches who wish to learn how to give support to individuals with lived experience in their communities: Learn what you can from the https://sanctuarymentalhealth.org/  They have valuable resources, designed to equip churches with the ins and outs of mental health—what they need to know about being there for individuals […]

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I’m not consumed

HOPE The words below from Jeremiah comfort me. I think it’s because they remind me that I’m not the only person to have had such feelings. I’m not the only person to have tasted such “bitterness and gall.” That’s the beautiful thing about the Bible. There’s something there for every one of us, no matter where we’re at. I […]

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Patient Endurance

DEPRESSED? – After spending most of the day in my night clothes, only writing a bit, as I am now while lying on the sofa, I realized something had to be wrong. This has been happening too often. Could I be depressed? I had thought depression was in the past for me, something that no longer […]

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My forgotten story

CHURCH AWARENESS As a result of the many painful things that happened to me, the good parts of my story that occurred in the years between 2000 and 2015 have been forgotten. I led a vibrant life during those years, accomplishing much. Speaking and writing, raising awareness in the Christian Church. It made a difference. […]

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A revolutionary idea? Yes, really!

AN IMPOSSIBILITY? Think of this: Many Christians seem to have lost track of what Jesus’ message was. They forget that he was a radical—a revolutionary—wanting to change the status quo. He taught forgiveness. He taught us to love our enemies. He taught us not to be judgmental. He ate with fraudulent tax collectors, prostitutes, and […]

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