Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D. is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF. He earned a Ph.D. in counseling (neuropsychology) from the University of Utah and has a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for over 30 years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions. His books include: When People Are Big and God is Small; Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave; Blame it on the Brain; Depression—A Stubborn Darkness; Running Scared; Crossroads: A Step-by-Step Guide Away From Addiction; and When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety.
Women are not good at it either. But at least they are more prone to talking about it, or they are vulnerable enough to be sad. Men tend to go silent or get angry.
I want to get to sexual rejection—wives who seem to reject their husband’s sexual advances—but first, a warm-up illustration.
Yes—they are just like the rest of us! Teens do not necessarily worry about it more than others but they do worry about it more obviously. Concerns about approval, rejection and ‘fitting in’ seem more painful and intensified. What Do You Think of Me? Why Do I Care? is my recent attempt to help younger Christians with these fears.
If you lived in Jonah’s day and he came to your door asking for help—help for his soul—what might you say to him?
First you would want to see the good in him, and there is plenty of good. Hard-hearted people usually don’t receive words from the Lord, so he was a worthy prophet. And he volunteered to be thrown to his death in a devouring sea so others could be spared. I think that is very impressive, even though the storm was basically his doing. Ugh, it reminds me how I don’t like the idea of drowning, and it is hard for me to imagine that I would volunteer for it.
How convenient. A proof text for polite revenge. This doesn’t sound very nice, unless having burning coals on your head is a good thing.
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. (Romans 12:20, citing Proverbs 25:21-22)
Why is there so much interest in violent sex? I’m not talking about rape; I’m talking about consensual sex between adults that involves pain and sometimes domination. I read two articles quite a while ago and they still have me reeling. They appeared as book reviews in The Atlantic Monthly (January/February 2011).
Where Is God in the Struggle? Looking away from despair towards hope can feel risky. What if God doesn't come through for you? What if you don't feel instantly better? Instead of offering simple platitudes or unrealistic "cure-all" formulas, Edward T. Welch addresses the complex nature of depression with compassion and insight, applying the rich treasures of the gospel, and giving fresh hope to those who struggle. Originally published as Depression: A Stubborn Darkness Light for the Path, this new edition is updated with added content.
This one has always been with us. Decades ago, I remember a man who went through an ugly divorce in which he never really looked at his own culpability. A couple of years later, he called and said he had finally found the answer! He left a message on my phone and said that we needed to meet immediately. Always a sucker for a request that has a note of drama and intrigue, I set up a time to meet.
