The Fight With Depression

We continue season 2 with our dive into what the Bible actually says and addressing misconceptions about the texts that often lead to increased anxiety and a decrease in mental health. In this episode we look into the concept of "ask, seek, and knock," and whether or not we should expect what we ask for in the Name of Jesus. Website: https://thefightwithdepression.com/ My Book: The Fight: My Battle With Depression - https://a.co/d/bDFMFNB Referenced Books: Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes - https://amzn.to/3Eig1hF

Welcome to season 2. We begin this season diving into what the Bible actually says, and we address many misconceptions about the texts that often lead to increased anxiety and a decrease in mental health. In this episode we look into understanding the lie of, "I don't have enough faith," and, "If I had enough faith, I could move mountains." We get into the impact that misunderstandings can have on mental health, and we reframe the correlation between faith and mental health. My Book: The Fight: My Battle With Depression - https://a.co/d/bDFMFNB References: https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/matthew/17.htm (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges) https://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/17.htm (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers) Against the Stream: religion and mental health – the case for the inclusion of religion and spirituality into psychiatric care Dein S. Against the Stream: religion and mental health - the case for the inclusion of religion and spirituality into psychiatric care. BJPsych Bull. 2018 Jun;42(3):127-129. doi: 10.1192/bjb.2017.13. PMID: 29761753; PMCID: PMC6048728. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6048728/

Thank you to everyone who has been listening to the podcast. At this point I will be taking a break. Please make sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you will be aware when the next season begins.

Do you wish your mental health was better? Or are you taking action to improve your life? In this episode Christopher speaks about the importance of taking action rather than being a spectator in your own life.

Disappointment in life and get you down, or you can learn from it. In this episode Christopher and Molly address the reality that life comes with disappointment. But we should not think of this negatively. So how can we learn from our disappointments and come out stronger on the other side?

Have you been hurt by the church? Misinterpretation of the Bible can be harmful to our mental health as well as the mental health of others. In this episode Christopher continues his conversation with Pastor Brian Hays about mental health and the Church.

It's okay to not be okay, even in church. In this episode Christopher speaks with former police officer, and pastor Brian Hays. They discuss difficult topics such as why God would allow bad things to happen, and how mental health can be damaged by people misinterpreting and misusing the Bible.

Have you ever been told that you must forgive someone for something they have done wrong? Have you told someone they must forgive you? Do you know what a healthy apology looks like? In this episode Christopher and Molly discuss the issues of being told that you must forgive, and what it looks like to sincerely apologize.

Former firefighter/paramedic, and founder of Revital Colorado, Jordan Long joins the podcast. This episode is part 2 of the 2-part conversation between Christopher and Jordan. They speak about the purpose of Revital Colorado, how this organization has helped first-responders, and what others can do to help as well.

Former firefighter/paramedic, and founder of Revital Colorado, Jordan Long joins the podcast. This episode is part 1 of the 2-part conversation between Christopher and Jordan. They speak about the purpose of Revital Colorado, how this organization has helped first-responders, and what others can do to help as well.

What does healthy conflict resolution look like? What does unhealthy conflict resolution look like? In this episode, Christopher and Molly discuss what they have learned about resolving conflict in their marriage, and they discuss they unhealthy ways they have addressed conflict in the past.

This is the continuation of the conversation from Episode 37. In this episode, Christopher speaks with therapist and host of the Tactical Toughness podcast, Emily Johnson, about dealing with relationship difficulties. They discuss issues faced by first responders as well as the general population.

First-responders face unique challenges when it comes to taking care of their own mental health. And many times that can spill over to their personal lives. In this episode, Christopher speaks with therapist, and host of the Tactical Toughness podcast, Emily Johnson. Together they address some of the issues facing our first-responder community.

Do you make New Year's resolutions? Or do you make goals for each year? In this episode Christopher and Molly speak about the benefits of making goals instead of resolutions. And they address some future goals for The Fight With Depression.

Holiday stress can get the best of us. In this episode Christopher and Molly address the holiday blues (or funk, if you will), and what they have learned to help overcome. Whether you experience the pre or post-holiday blues, know that you are not alone.

If you have found yourself lacking motivation, you are not alone. In this episode Christopher and Molly discuss what it means to lack motivation when dealing with depression. But is motivation just a farce? Let's find out.

A deeper dive into managing the ups and downs of depression with your loved-ones in your corner. In this episode, Christopher and Molly discuss what they have learned throughout their relationship, and speak about some tips they wish they knew sooner in life and in their marriage.

How do you manage the ups and downs of depression? Do you know what it's like getting stuck in a rut? In this episode, Christopher speaks about what he has learned through his life's experiences about managing the ups and downs of major depressive disorder.

Are you more concerned about your harvest? Or are you focused on the seeds you sow? Don't lose sight of what's important because you are too worried about your future. In this episode Christopher speaks about what he has learned about the importance of sowing generously.

What does it look like to be real and honest about depression? Christopher and Molly speak about the importance about being honest without making excuses.

Sometimes it's important to let people know when you are not okay. Molly and Christopher speak about the "funk" they have been experiencing. And they speak about what is needed when you find yourself in the depression funk or notice someone else experiencing it.

It is often difficult to communicate with other people, even our loved ones. But does depression make this even worse? In this episode Molly and Christopher speak about what they have learned that has improved their communication in their 20-year relationship.

When we speak about mental health awareness, what is it that we are talking about? This episode takes a look at what it truly means to be aware of our mental health. And we discuss what we hope for the future of mental health awareness.

Friends can come and go throughout our lives, but good friends stick around. In this episode Molly and Christopher speak about characteristics of a good friendship, and what it looks like to be a friend while suffering from depression.

Not everyone has the same experience with mental illness. And not every treatment option is for everyone. In this episode, Molly and Christopher speak about what they have learned from trial and error, and from learning what works and doesn't work with other people.

We have seen a fare share of struggles in our lives that have impacted our relationship and have not always reacted the best way. In this episode we speak about what we have and haven't done well, what we have learned, and what we are working on.

What is it like being married to someone with depression? What is it like being married to a firefighter with depression? My wife and I discuss some of the lessons we have learned, and the struggles we have gone through.

Would you rather take advantage of another person for your own personal benefit than do the right thing? If so, don't listen to this episode.

Do you make excuses for not doing the right thing? This episode takes a deeper look into what it really means to do the right thing, what it looks like, and how it can impact others.

Why does it matter whether we do the right thing or not? And who decides what the right thing to do is? In this episode we look at the difference between what culture tells us to do and what it is that we really should do.

It's time to be honest about mental illness. This episode dives into a life-long struggle with depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder and what it's like trying to hide your struggles. Join me as I discuss how it feels to finally open up about what I kept hidden most of my life.

There are many distractions that we face every day. Are your distractions keeping you from your priorities? Or are you able to take control of those distractions before they take control of you?

Do you have your priorities straight? What are you willing to give up for something else? What are you not willing to compromise on? And are you giving enough time for those things you are not willing to give up?

When you say that you have hope, what does that mean? We use the word hope in various ways, but which way is correct? Where can you place your hope? And does real hope actually exist?

Does life have purpose? And are you living your life to fulfill your purpose? This episode expands on the episode "What Is Your Purpose," and we take a look at what it means to live life the best that you can.

Do you keep your resolutions? What does it mean to be responsible for what you do and what you need to do? What happens when you avoid responsibility? And what do you do to hold yourself accountable?

Thanks to all my listeners! Listen in for updates on The Fight With Depression.

We keep seeing the same thing happen again and again, but would we rather remain comfortable and ignore it, or would we rather do something about it? Your actions are up to you.

As my blog has progressed into a website, and as TheFightWithDepression.com continues to grow, this episode gives a little background into the progression. My hope is to give people ideas in which they can improve and maintain their mental health.

What does discouragement look like to you, and what can cause it? And how do you make sure you don't cause others to become discouraged? This episode takes a look at how to not allow your situation and your disappointment lead to defeat.

Don't let your discouragement turn into defeat. It's okay to feel discouraged, but who do you turn to when you do? And who can come to you when they are discouraged?

What does it mean to be successful? And will you recognize success when you see it? This episode challenges the listener to analyze what success truly means.

What do you do if you feel you have lost your purpose? Or if you feel that you are without purpose? In this episode we take a look at what it means to live life with a purpose. To live life with intent.

We all have things in our lives that we would rather avoid than to confront. What are you avoiding and why? And what impact does this have in your life?

This episode takes a look at what it means to persevere in spite of suffering and life's obstacles.

Life proves to continue to be more stressful each day. This episode looks into the different types of stress, how to determine whether stress is beneficial or harmful, and some techniques to reduce stress. Listen for some stress management tips and tricks, and ways in which we can continue to persevere.

While some people claim to have the secrets to curing depression, this can leave people feeling as though they have failed when reality does not meet expectation. In this episode, I explain why these diet and exercise programs are not cures, and what this means for you.

Something needs to be done! We can't continue to sit by and watch tragedy after tragedy. We all have a responsibility. If you have the ability to make a change, it is time to take action.

This is an introduction to The Fight With Depression. This episode gives a history my struggle with depression and anxiety and my goals to provide hope to other people who struggle.

In The Fight With Depression, we will discuss different aspects of mental illness, and address the stigma and misconceptions people may have. We will also look at ways we can combat symptoms, and bring hope to people who worry that hope may be lost.