With You in the Weeds: Where Faith Meets Mental Health

This is our second installment of answering YOUR questions! The WYITW team tackles 2 listener questions in this episode: 1. What therapeutic concept has been most eye-opening and helpful to you as a counselor? 2. As a single person in the church, I struggle to figure out where I fit in. How do I deal with being single when I feel overlooked? John, Shay, Lynn & Austin have a spirited round table di...

Perhaps you know this in your mind, but actually believing it in your heart is a different story. John, Shay, and Austin set out to help close this gap between your head and your heart. They discuss the following 3 important biblical truths that you need to remember: 1. God's heart is for the sexually broken. 2. The gospel says that you are simultaneously far more broken than you know, and yet far...

Have you ever believed this about yourself? We know that this bad, false belief is pervasive and often reinforced by feelings of self-loathing and self-condemnation. That's why the With You in the Weeds team decided to tackle it head on. Lynn, John, and Austin address what might be one of the most heavy, messy, and complex FALSE beliefs in the entire series "Beliefs That Keep You Stuck". They defi...

We know it’s counterintuitive, but it’s true. "Shoulding" yourself into being a better person neglects the most important ingredient we need to grow: grace. John, Shay, and Lynn share why it’s hard to believe this is true and discuss the proper place “shoulds” have in the Christian life. When you’re done with the episode you’ll know how important it is to: -Focus on trusting God instead of pleasin...

"I should read my bible more" "I should get in shape" "I should be more successful in my job" "I should be a better friend/parent/Christian, etc" Is your thought life full of all the things you "should" be doing? When you "should" on yourself, does it help you change, grow or do better? So many people live under the heavy burden of things they "should" be doing, but then feel discouraged, ashamed...

This statement may be hard to accept, but without a biblically accurate view of suffering, not only will you feel stuck, but you may also hurt yourself and mislead others, leading to despair and giving up on God. John, Shay, and Austin explain how a better, more accurate belief is that: “Obeying God Includes Suffering.” When you come to understand the reason why this is true, you will find greater...

Do you believe that following God, praying and having strong faith will buy you an insurance policy against suffering? This false belief is often clung to as a way to feel in control when life feels chaotic and unpredictable.  The problem with this belief is that it breeds disappointment, resentment and disillusionment when you encounter trials and suffering that don't make sense. John, Lynn, and...

Despite what you may think, understanding your past matters a great deal, and may have more impact on your personal growth than anything else.  Lynn, Shay, and Austin walk through the biblical foundations of why your past matters, explain the neurological nuts and bolts of how your past shows up in your present, and then give the following practical steps to explore your past: - create a timeline...

You’re in good company if you believe this. Seriously, why would you want to think or talk about something in your past that's painful?  Maybe you hold to this belief because you think it’s counter-productive to talk about something that you can't go back and change. Maybe you think that looking at your past might open a can of worms that you're not ready to deal with. Or you’re simply just not su...

We all have needs, desires and longings, and Jesus was no exception. If you’re wondering why it’s godly to get your needs met, you can look to Jesus as your example. John and Austin unpack this counterintuitive belief by examining where and how Jesus met his own needs, and how he handled his longings and desires.  Then they explore the deeper reason as to why you can't avoid your needs, desires, a...

Is there a more shameful pronouncement of judgment for a Christian than being "selfish"? Taking care of yourself is definitely a source of confusion for people, and trying to get your needs met tends to get a bad wrap in the church.  Bible passages that reference "dying to yourself” and “losing your life in order to save it” may bring your efforts to take care of yourself to a screeching halt and...

Today is all about answering YOUR questions!  Join the entire With You In The Weeds team to hear their answers to the following 4 questions that our listeners asked… 1. What is a biblical perspective on the use of medication for anxiety, depression or other mental health disorders? 2. What does the Bible say about divorce? 3. How do I deal with an emotionally immature parent? 4. How do I navigate...

The best way to protect yourself from a destructive relationship is to avoid entering it in the first place. But red flags in a relationship may be not be obvious to you once you're attached and emotionally invested in someone, so it may require other people helping you see what you can't see on your own. Angie Phillips, co-host of "Blended, Blessed and Always a Mess", joins Lynn Roush to discuss...

Let’s be honest - managing relationships with unrepentant people is REALLY hard. It might be one of the most difficult things you’ll have to do. And yet, it can be done by seeing this person with a 3D biblical perspective, not a 2D human perspective. John, Lynn, and Austin explain this distinction and then provide the following practical steps to take in managing an unrepentant person: - Invite th...

Are you dealing with an unrepentant person? How would you know if you are? John, Shay, and Austin get to the root of an unrepentant heart and it's not a pretty picture.  This episode will help you identify the signs of an unrepentant person such as denial and deflection, and explain why a hardened heart is so difficult to deal with. They also speak personally as to why we resist repentance, and ho...

Do you have a toxic in-law situation on your hands? Many families experience stress, broken relationships and years of hurt feelings or misunderstandings. You may even dread family gatherings due to difficult in-laws. This common problem requires diligence in boundary-setting and clarifying roles and expectations, but where do you start? Shay, Lynn and John talk about real life scenarios that addr...

How well do you get along with your in-laws? This is a touchy subject for many families, as friction or tension with in-law relationships is very common, but hard to navigate. The root of in-law trouble can be traced back to a failure to “leave and cleave”, but this ancient biblical mandate is easier said than done. Most people enter marriage thinking that their partner will always put them first,...

With many families, marriages and churches being fractured by narcissistic personalities, the With You in the Weeds team invites notable author and bible teacher, Pastor Erwin Lutzer, to address this difficult topic. Lynn Roush, LPC and Pastor Lutzer have a very honest conversation about the damage done in relationships because of this hurtful personality style.  They also address how to protect y...

Do you feel confused, manipulated or controlled in a relationship? Are you looking for spiritual and psychological insight into the complex and painful roots of narcissism? Lynn Roush, LPC and Pastor Erwin Lutzer address the origins of narcissism from a psychological and biblical perspective that provide clarity and crucial information if you find yourself entangled with a difficult person in your...

It’s easy to identify what kills a relationship, but much harder to know what ingredients you need to nurture a healthy relationship. John, Lynn, and Austin explain and discuss the 4 Relationship Builders: 1. Practice a gentle start up, instead of criticism. 2. Build a culture of appreciation, instead of contempt. 3. Take ownership of your part in a conflict, instead of getting defensive. 4. Stay...

Criticism, contempt, defensiveness, stonewalling. These are bad enough on their own, but mix them together and you have a cocktail that will kill any relationship.  This episode is simple: John, Lynn, and Austin give you a mirror to look in and ask yourself, “where are these killers showing up in my relationships?” Afterwards you’ll be able to name, identify, and describe them, which is the first...

If bitterness stops the clock of your life, then forgiveness starts it up again. But what is forgiveness, and what does this mean for you? John, Shay and Austin discuss: 1. What forgiveness is NOT 2. What forgiveness IS 3. The hard realities of forgiveness 4. The costs and benefits of forgiveness Entering a process of forgiveness is never easy, but this discussion will replace flimsy imitations of...

“Bitterness stops the clock of your life.” Do you know a bitter person? If you do then you’ve seen and felt how they are stuck in their anger, resentment, and inability to move beyond hurts and slights from their past.  This person couldn’t be you, could it? Listen in as John, Austin, and Shay discuss: - What bitterness is: Hardened, settled anger and resentment - Where it shows up: In your relati...

If you want to manage a toxic relationship you’re going to need to break some rules, three in particular: 1. Wait for things to get better 2. Try to change the other person 3. Love people unconditionally If you don’t break these rules then you won’t mature and grow in character, you’ll blame others for things that are your responsibility, you will stay reactive instead of proactive, or you’ll jump...

Who you surround yourself with shapes who you will become. If you want to avoid becoming a toxic person in a hurtful relationship, you’ll want to listen as John and Lynn define and explain the 5 symptoms of toxic relationships: - Harmful words - Selfish ambition/pride - Envy - Manipulation - Deceit When you can recognize these 5 symptoms, not only will you be able to avoid them in your relationshi...