Marja Bergen

author, mental health advocate, follower of Christ

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

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 […]

Read More...

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 […]

Read More...

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 […]

Read More...

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 […]

Read More...

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 […]

Read More...

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. […]

Read More...

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 […]

Read More...

Once thought impossible

OVERCOMING THE EFFECTS OF STIGMA: a revolutionary idea for this world of today: The pain of medications, coping strategies, and other world remedies cannot heal the ingrained wounds of stigma. The pain of rejection, shunning, exclusion, feelings of shame, and being looked down on, can only be relieved through spiritual means. Overcoming the Effects of […]

Read More...

The message of Christ’s healing power, lost

FAITH AND MENTAL HEALTH “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” […]

Read More...

How great our need

A NEED FOR JESUS – MY STORY I have lived with bipolar disorder as a person who didn’t believe in God. And I’ve lived with bipolar illness as someone who learned to have faith in Jesus Christ. And, though my faith did not “heal” me, I have become a stronger person because of it. Trusting […]

Read More...
Older posts

© 2024 Marja Bergen

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑