FEATURED BLOG POST
On Spiritual Bypassing
Many years ago, John Welwood, a prominent psychotherapist, coined the term “spiritual bypassing” and defined it as using “spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep personal, emotional unfinished business, to shore up a shaky sense of self, or to belittle basic needs and feelings.” Diana Raab summed up the foundation of spiritual bypassing as “avoidance and repression; and for some individuals, spirituality serves as a way to rise above or handle the shaky ground beneath.”
For God’s Character: He is Who He says He is
It’s easy to be grateful for blessings—the obvious gifts, the answered prayers. But the real strength of our gratitude shines when we learn to thank God not just for what He does, but for who He is. This kind of gratitude roots us in the steady, unchanging nature of God, even when everything else feels uncertain.
In Waiting Seasons: Gratitude in the In-Between
Waiting is rarely easy. Whether it’s waiting for a job, healing, clarity, or a long-hoped-for answer, the in-between can feel like a desert stretching on with no end in sight. But God often does His best work in us during these waiting seasons, using them to shape us and build our trust in His timing.
In Relationships: Gratitude for Our People
Waiting is rarely easy. Whether it’s waiting for a job, healing, clarity, or a long-hoped-for answer, the in-between can feel like a desert stretching on with no end in sight. But God often does His best work in us during these waiting seasons, using them to shape us and build our trust in His timing.
During Trials: Gratitude When The Struggle Is Real
Trials come in all shapes and sizes—from the inconvenience of a broken coffee maker on a Monday morning to life-altering grief, health battles, or financial hardship. Our instinct during these moments is usually not gratitude! Yet, the Bible calls us to approach trials with a radically different perspective.
In the Mundane: Gratitude for the Extraordinary in the Ordinary
We’re all too familiar with the unglamorous side of life: endless laundry piles, car and home repairs, grocery lists that seem to regenerate, and a to-do list that rivals that list of coupons on your drugstore receipt. There’s nothing social media-worthy about mopping the floor or cleaning up after dinner. But, what if we were keenly aware that God’s presence is right there in those routine moments, waiting for us to notice Him? Could it be that these seemingly mundane tasks are, in fact, sacred opportunities to connect with Him?
On Spiritual Bypassing
I’ve been thinking a lot about spiritual bypassing. My friend Kristi has always called me a “church girl” because, for the better part of the last 30 years, I’ve been intimately involved in the operation of the local church, usually as part of a church staff. And as a lifelong church girl, I’ve become adept at spiritual bypassing. I tend to experience something painful and then rush to the “God is sovereign, and all will be well!” part of my processing. And is God sovereign? Oh yes, He is. And will all be well? Yes! This is an unalterable truth. But here in my older age (ahem), I realize my tendency to bypass the first part of any painful experience… the pain itself. I’m most comfortable not being uncomfortable.
On Substitution & Suffering
Now known to us as Good Friday because of what was accomplished, that Friday over two thousand years ago would have felt anything but good. It dawned in fear for those who knew and loved Jesus and culminated in utter tragedy for them by day’s end.
On Betrayal & Denial
On Thursday, Jesus sent Peter and John from Bethany to the Upper Room to make preparations for the Passover meal. Jesus no doubt felt the increasing weight of what obedience to his Father would require. Yet in a profound example of humility, he knelt to wash the feet of his own disciples before preparing to eat the meal. The upside down kingdom is on display in Jesus kneeling to serve those for whom it was necessary for him to die. They could not live apart from him, and yet he served them without regard for his position as their King.
On Preparation
The Bible is fairly quiet about what the Wednesday of that week would have been like for Jesus. Being Passover week, many preparations were needed so Jerusalem and the surrounding areas would have been teeming with activity. Jesus and his disciples were staying in Bethany and their hosts would have had extensive planning, market visits, and cooking to accomplish. What must Jesus have been thinking while those around him buzzed here and there making preparations for the oldest and most revered celebration in Jewish culture?
On Readiness, Repair, & Reconciliation
On Tuesday morning we find Jesus and his disciples returning to Jerusalem. Greeting him there were the angry religious leaders who were offended that Jesus claimed to have spiritual authority. They made a plan to band together to confront and arrest Jesus but relented due to their fear of the crowds who were still amazed by him.
On Discomfort & Fruit Finding
During Holy Week, we’ll spend some time reflecting on events that would ultimately change the course of history. In doing so, may we feel the weight of Jesus’ obedience to his Father and the freedom purchased for us.