I strongly believe in the integration of theology and psychology. John Calvin said how can you know God if you don’t know yourself? My current favorite book is Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero. Our American culture is “difficult” emotions avoidant. Grief avoidant. Conflict-resolution avoidant. We are constantly go, go, go, distract, distract, distract. We rarely take the time to be still, be quiet and tune-in to ourselves, therefore not knowing ourselves. How can we love ourselves, love God, and love others when we live in disconnection with ourselves?

God said that He came that we might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). Does that mean no suffering? No anxiety, depression, anger, grief, pain? God also said in the world you will have trouble, but I have overcome the world (John 16:33). How do we continue to experience hope and joy in the midst of trials? Not by ignoring our emotions, how we are experiencing them in our bodies, and continuing to live distracted.

It would be my privilege to journey with you as you walk through where God has you, learning who you are and who He is.