Written by Jane Greisen
One of the beautiful things about this crazy time we are currently living in is how everyone is pulling together to support one another. We are reaching out more to friends and family. We are thinking about how to reach out to neighbors and co-workers.
We also need support within our own families. How do we care for our spouse? How do we care for our children? How do we think about our own anxieties and fears? How do we turn our own hearts to the Lord? Many organizations are offering resources for just this reason. One of the many glorious goods of the internet. I’ve shared a few of those from well-known organizations whom many in the body of Christ consider trustworthy.
Meeting God in Times of Worry
David Powlison wrote a series of blogs entitled “What Good is Don’t Worry In Times Like These”. He wrote it in 2009 when we were experiencing an economic downturn. I’ve included this because the Bible gives us an example of looking back to remember how God has helped us in the past. We all lived through that time. As you read these posts, think about how God met you then and trust him to meet you again.
Confidence in God’s Promises
Westminster Theological Seminary’s bookstore put together a PDF called a Slow Read Collection. God has gifted writers to capture what it is like to trust him, cast our care on him, and the magnitude of his precious promises to us. There’s time for some slow reading these days. Soak in these truths.
The seminary is also producing a weekly program called, Crisis, Christ, and Confidence. It includes comments from a Christian doctor and the seminary president.
Engaging Anxiety
Anxiety is something many of us are facing right now. Brad Hambrick, a well-known biblical counselor and teacher has written a blog about the different forms anxiety can take. He also gives biblically based ways to engage our anxiety.
Helping our Anxious Children
The Gospel Coalition also posted this to help us think about helping anxious children. I am taking advice from this for myself – play! Laugh!
Christian Counseling Resources
The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation has developed a page on their website where they will post resources for parenting, anxiety, illness, and loneliness.
Relational Growth
Brad Hambrick also has a list of 240 (!) marriage conversation starters. They are categorized topically; such as, General Interest, Spiritual Growth, Popcorn Topics. There are some that are just fun questions. For instance, what nicknames have you had? I’ve enjoyed picking a few of these to discuss with Marc. You might also consider adapting some of the questions and asking them of your children or your friends during those FaceTime check ins.
TCS Care & Support
If you attend Trinity, please remember that you can always reach out to the pastoral staff or the Soul Care Team. As believers we have freedom to boldly bring our needs to Jesus, and he has provided our church family with these resources. There is no problem, no conflict, no abuse too small or too huge to keep you from bringing things out of darkness and into light.
May God use these resources in your life to center you in Him and in the vast resources of the gospel for your own heart and your families.