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Chris Morris Christian Mental Health

Redefine Normal // Rediscover Hope

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Chris Morris Christian Mental Health: Rediscovering Normal

Chris Morris | Christian Mental Health

I spend my time writing about how to balance faith and mental illness. I have both mental illnesses and chronic illnesses, but I’m learning to thrive anyway. I guess that’s why Redefining Normal is part of the code here, because it’s been part of my journey.
My BooksMy Story

Redefine Normal

Rediscover Hope

Welcome to my Christian mental health website. This is a safe place for followers of Jesus dealing with depression, anxiety, and every mental illness under the sun. If you’ve asked yourself, “if I’m a Christian, why am I depressed?“ or, “where is God when my life is falling apart?“, or “How do I overcome depression biblically“, you’re in the right place. Everything here is written as Christian help for those in the mental illness community as we redefine normal and rediscover hope together. Let’s talk about these two things for just a moment. What does it mean to redefine normal? It means that nobody but you gets to tell you what’s normal and what’s abnormal. You are the arbiter of your own life, and you get to decide that.
For you, maybe a normal day is not getting out of bed until noon because of chronic pain, and having to carefully calculate where you spend your limited energy. If so, I honor your normal here. How about rediscovering hope? So many of us struggle to fell there’s any objective reason for hope in our lives, because, to be honest, our lives stink a lot of the time. It’s full of difficulty and complexity, hard conversations and unmet expectations. But we can find the keys to having hope despite all these setbacks. I spend a lot of time talking the nuts and bolts of hope from a biblical perspective, so it’s more tangible, meaningful, and applicable to real life.

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Is This For Me?

Found out more about this site and see if it’s a good space for you to hang out.
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Life with Psychogenic Seizures

Psychogenic seizures is one of my primary diagnosis, and it impacts me every single day. Learn how here.
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Two Things I Learned About the Church in the Psych Ward

I have spend time in a psych ward twice in my life. I learned a lot about myself and the church both times.
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What People Are Saying

Whispers in the Pews “Chris Morris has compiled honest and raw stories that give sight into the heart of many Christians who have battled, or are battling, mental illness. Whispers in the Pews brings to light that mental health matters and how it hasn’t always mattered in the Christian community,… Read more “Shawn Elizabeth George”

Shawn Elizabeth George
Inspirational Author, Writer, and Speaker
https://www.shawnelizabethgeorge.com/

Whispers in the Pews “Compassion is the antidote to stigma, and it only begins when we hear the stories of real men and women who suffer from mental illness. Chris Morris is doing the church a tremendous service with this book. It should be required reading for anyone who considers… Read more “David Edward Cummings”

David Edward Cummings
PhD, Professor of Microbiology, Point Loma Nazarene University, Host of the SoulCare Podcast, Elder at Pathways Community Church, Santee, CA
http://davidedwardcummings.com/
pwta

Trekking Toward Tenacity “This book has the potential to save lives and build healthy dynamics in homes across the nation. Chris Morris’s vulnerability about his own life and family is inspiring and a testimony of God’s relentless pursuit of His children. As a pastor’s wife, I hear how mental illness… Read more “Jessica Taylor (Trekking Toward Tenacity)”

Jessica Taylor
Co-Author of Pastors’ Wives Tell All and co-host of the Pastors’ Wives Tell All podcast
https://www.pastorswivestellall.com/
boulware

Trekking Toward Tenacity “God’s word can teach you how to parent through mental health battles. Trekking Towards Tenacity opens your eyes to the power of scripture, self-reflection, and activation exercises that promote healthy change and breakthrough. Our world is saturated with new mental health cases daily. Chris focuses on pivotal points… Read more “Christy Boulware (Trekking Toward Tenacity)”

Christy Boulware
Author of Nervous Breakthrough, Founder of Fearless Unite, podcast host of Fearless Tips and Talks
https://www.christyboulware.com/
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Trekking Toward Tenacity “A wise and wonderful walk through Psalm 139, Trekking Toward Tenacity is the kind of book you’ll want to read slowly, marking it up and letting it soak deep into your heart and soul. Both conversational and honest in his style, Chris weaves Scripture and spiritual wisdom throughout… Read more “Susy Flory (Trekking Toward Tenacity)”

Susy Flory
New York Times bestselling author and coauthor, director of West Coast Christian Writers, and doctoral candidate at Houston Theological Seminary
https://susyflory.ag-sites.net/index.htm
pwta

Trekking Toward Tenacity “With anxiety and depression on the rise among children and teenagers, Chris Morris’s insight and strategies for combating the lies and misconceptions surrounding mental health are exactly what parents need in their parenting arsenal. Trekking Towards Tenacity provides parents with thoughtful discussion starters, enlightening Scripture explorations, and actionable steps… Read more “Stephanie Gilbert (Trekking Toward Tenacity)”

Stephanie Gilbert
Co-Author of Pastors’ Wives Tell All and co-host of the Pastors’ Wives Tell All podcast
https://www.pastorswivestellall.com/
marty kaiser

Resilient and Redeemed “Chris Morris is a voice the church needs to hear! By courageously sharing his story, Chris opens a much-needed conversation about mental health, weaving personal narratives, theological insights, and practical guidance into a topic that has long been left in the shadows of religious communities.”

Marty Kaiser
Campus Pastor, Vineyard Church Reveal
https://www.revealvineyard.com/
Mary Demuth

Perfectly Abnormal “Perfectly Abnormal is one of those books that should be required reading for churches longing to provide a welcoming environment for all their members. And it should be required reading for any human who wants to love, empathize, and walk in the shoes of another. I so appreciated… Read more “Mary DeMuth (Perfectly Abnormal)”

Mary DeMuth
http://marydemuth.com
Rett Syndrome

Whispers in the Pews “I am ridiculously excited for the stories in this book to be shared. There is an incredible need to discuss the reality of mental illness and how the church can improve how it addresses this.”

Colleen English
President & Founder of Rettland Foundation
http://rettland.org/
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Resilient and Redeemed “In this book you will encounter Chris as a wise guide who shares his journey’s harsh and painful realities. As he skillfully unfolds his story, he encourages all of us to open ourselves to the beautiful possibilities for hope and healing in Jesus. May we all listen… Read more “Gino Curcuruto (Resilient and Redeemed)”

Rev. Dr. Gino Curcuruto
Pastor, The Table Philadelphia
https://thetablephilly.org/
Marty Kaiser

Perfectly Abnormal “I highly recommend this book to any person or family trying to deal with a chronic illness. In its pages you will find practical help to move forward, and hope to experience a life worth living. Over the past few years I have witnessed the pain and sorrow… Read more “Marty Kaiser”

Marty Kaiser
http://revealvineyard.com
screenshot 2024 08 19 at 9.53.23 am

Resilient and Redeemed “I ask my clients, ‘Has your faith, theology, or church experience been helpful or harmful?’ Chris vulnerably and courageously writes about how he has been harmed and most importantly how he has been helped, literally saved, by God and treatment. He shares how depression can affect marriages.… Read more “Sovann Pen (Resilient and Redeemed)”

Sovann Pen
The Courage, Coaching and Counseling Podcast; LPC, A New Day Counseling Center
https://www.sovannpen.com/
Jeff Goines

Whispers in the Pews “Finally, someone is speaking out on a deep and important issue that simply does not get talked about enough in our faith communities. Thank you, Chris, for your honesty and bravery. May these words move us all to deeper and more compassionate action.”

Jeff Goins
Bestselling author of The Art of Work
https://goinswriter.com/
morgan busse nlr 4

Resilient and Redeemed “If you are a Christian who battles with depression and suicide, this book is for you. If you have a loved one who struggles with these same elements, this book will help you understand their battle and how you can encourage and pray for them. Chris invites… Read more “Morgan Busse (Resilient and Redeemed)”

Morgan Busse
Award-winning Author of THE RAVENWOOD SAGA and SKYWORLD series, and pastor’s wife
https://morganlbusse.com/
Mary Demuth

Whispers in the Pews “I cannot imagine Jesus scolding someone with a mental illness, telling them to just get over it, try harder, memorize more verses. No, He would listen. He would love. He would be filled with compassion. And even He was deemed mentally ill in his time, his… Read more “Mary DeMuth”

Mary DeMuth
https://www.marydemuth.com/
fitch

Resilient and Redeemed “Open this book and journey with Chris Morris in the struggle to make sense of mental illness within the Christian life. Read the stories, reflect on Scripture, and find hope. In these pages, Chris helps us see God as present in the struggle. Resilient and Redeemed is… Read more “David Fitch (Resilient and Redeemed)”

David Fitch
Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology, Northern Seminary, Chicago
http://seminary.edu
screenshot 2024 08 19 at 11.11.47 am

Trekking Toward Tenacity “Chris offers us a unique gift in Trekking Towards Tenacity: part bible study, part meditation, part training for parents in how to form and shape the faith of their children. Many books do one or two of those well, but Chris skillfully leads the reader through all… Read more “Matt Tebbe (Trekking Toward Tenacity)”

Matt Tebbe
Co-Author of Having the Mind of Christ, Pastor at The Table Indianapolis
https://substack.com/@matttebbe
kathi lipp

Resilient and Redeemed “With deep compassion, Chris Morris shares his heartbreaking yet hopeful story. He navigates the often-misunderstood intersection of mental health and spiritual well-being with hope and wisdom that are desperately needed in today’s conversations about mental health in the church. I pray that Chris’s vulnerability starts conversations among… Read more “Kathi Lipp (Resilient and Redeeemed)”

Kathi Lipp
Author and Podcaster, Clutter Free Academy
https://www.kathilipp.com/

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Mental health author & speaker, breaking down poor theological frameworks for the church. Check out my books on Amazon and book me to speak for you!

Let’s clear something up about “test me and kn Let’s clear something up about “test me and know my anxious thoughts” in Psalm 139.

David wasn’t asking God to cure his generalized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, or social anxiety. 

Why? 

Because David had no clue these conditions even existed.

Today we understand that people experience:

Generalized anxiety without obvious triggers
Panic attacks that may or may not stem from trauma
Social anxiety in uncomfortable interpersonal situations

David knew none of this when he penned these words.

The Message translation captures the real meaning: “Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about.”

See the difference? 

This isn’t about brain chemistry or clinical symptoms. It’s about heart examination - God getting “a clear picture of what we’re about.”

If you’re battling clinical anxiety, this verse isn’t suggesting you lack faith or that prayer should just fix your brain. 

God examines motives, not neurotransmitters.

The church has done enough damage by misusing Scripture to shame mental health struggles. 

Let’s read these verses in their actual context and stop making people feel guilty for needing professional help alongside their faith.
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#mentalhealth #faith #christianity #jesus #depression #anxiety #hope #healing #mentalhealthawareness #christianliving #godslove #christianauthor #mentalhealthadvocate #biblicalwisdom #faithjourney #christianspeaker #prayerwarrior #holyspirit #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #biblicalcounseling #faithandmentalhealth #christianhealing #mentalhealthsupport #christiananxiety #redefiningnormal #spiritualhealth #christianencouragement #mentalhealthministry #godsgrace
This prayer that changed everything about how I se This prayer that changed everything about how I see God’s heart toward me.

I used to avoid Psalm 139:23-24 because I thought it was God’s way of setting a trap for me. 

But when I finally understood what this prayer actually accomplishes, everything changed.

God searches your heart not to condemn but to cultivate. He examines your motives not to shame you but to shape you. 

He reveals areas for growth because He sees your potential, not because He’s disappointed in your present.

This is the same God who looks at you and sees Christ’s righteousness. 

The same God who has already declared you worthy through Jesus’ sacrifice. 

The same God who promises to work everything together for your good.

When you invite God to search your heart, you’re not opening yourself up to His wrath - you’re positioning yourself for His transformation. 

And that transformation happens through love, patience, and grace.

That’s not scary - that’s the most hopeful thing imaginable.

This might be the most encouraging prayer you never knew you could pray with confidence.

Read more about it at resilientandredeemed.substack.com.
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#christianmentalhealth #anxiety #faith #depression #mentalwellness #christianity #holyspirit #healing #mentalhealthawareness #jesusheals #christianauthor #biblicaltruth #godsgrace #hope #mentalhealthadvocate #christianliving #faithjourney #christianspeaker #prayerrequest #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #biblicalhealing #faithandanxiety #christiansupport #mentalhealthministry #christiandepression #faithoverfear #spiritualwellness #godishere #christianencouragement
I used to think God was looking for reasons to pun I used to think God was looking for reasons to punish me.

Growing up, I carried this image of God lurking in the shadows of my mind.

Even while singing songs about His love, I wondered if underneath it all, He was just waiting to strike down anyone who didn’t measure up.

Stories like Achan in Joshua 7 haunted me. 

One man’s secret disobedience led to God commanding the Israelites to stone him and his entire family, then burn their bodies. I figured if God found wickedness in my heart, I’d face the same fate.

This fear kept me from one of the most beautiful prayers in Scripture: “Search me, O God, and know my heart.”

But everything changed when I understood what Jesus actually accomplished on the cross. 

Colossians 3:3–4 became my lifeline: “You died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Here’s what blew my mind: our lives being hidden with Christ means God literally cannot tell the difference between Christ’s righteousness and us. 

When He looks at me, He sees Jesus’ perfection, not my mess.

This isn’t just theology - it’s freedom. 

Now when I pray this psalm, I’m not bracing for punishment. I know God will show me areas for growth, but they come wrapped in tenderness, not wrath.

He doesn’t tear me down to build me up. 

He meets me where I am and lovingly guides me toward who He’s calling me to become. 

The same God I once feared became the God I can boldly approach, knowing I’m safe in Christ.

Read more at resilientandredeemed.substack.com.
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#mentalhealth #christianity #faith #depression #anxiety #mentalhealthawareness #jesus #christianliving #hope #healing #christianauthor #mentalhealthadvocate #christianspeaker #biblicalwisdom #godslove #prayerwarrior #tedxspeaker #christiancommunity #mentalhealthmatters #faithandmentalhealth #biblicalcounseling #christiandepression #mentalhealthministry #christiananxiety #redefiningnormal #rediscoveringhope #faithoverfear #christianhealing #mentalhealthsupport #christianencouragement
Some verses seem to come completely out of nowhere Some verses seem to come completely out of nowhere and smack us in the face with unexpected emotion. 

Like these from Psalm 139:19-22

“O God, if only you would destroy the wicked! Get out of my life, you murderers!”
“Yes, I hate them with total hatred, for your enemies are my enemies.”

Before these verses, enemies and smiting and murderers don’t make any appearance at all. 

Indeed, the psalm overall has a tone of tenderness and generosity about God’s love.

Here’s what you need to know: we have permission to be emotional. Even intensely emotional. 

Your rage about injustice? It’s literally in Scripture.

The Bible is more emotionally honest than your pastor probably taught you.

Read more at resilientandredeemed.substack.com.
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#christianmentalhealth #depression #anxiety #faith #healing #mentalwellness #christianity #jesus #mentalhealthawareness #christianauthor #hope #biblicaltruth #mentalhealthadvocate #christianliving #christianspeaker #godslove #prayerrequest #holyspirit #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #faithandanxiety #biblicalhealing #christiansupport #mentalhealthministry #christiandepression #tedxspeaker #spiritualwellness #christianencouragement #redefiningnormal #rediscoveringhope
It’s okay to be honest with God. Just look at t It’s okay to be honest with God.

Just look at the psalms — full of emotions and laments.

But laments are often seen as equivalent to complaining to God or viewed as sinful expressions of faithlessness. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

We all have complaints to God about things not going our way, and sometimes these are quite large events that have turned against us. 

In the right context, complaints to God represent a defiant exclamation of faith despite circumstances.

Lament can be particularly useful for mental health conditions. 

When our illnesses don’t simply go away and seem to gain strength for no reason, this creates distortion where our health conditions seem bigger than God.

Lament reorients our view and puts God in his rightful place as the biggest part of our lives, restoring sanity when it’s much needed.

Read more about it at resilientandredeemed.substack.com.
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#mentalhealth #faith #depression #christianity #anxiety #healing #mentalhealthawareness #jesus #hope #christianliving #mentalhealthadvocate #christianauthor #biblicalwisdom #godslove #faithjourney #christianspeaker #prayerwarrior #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #holyspirit #biblicalcounseling #faithandmentalhealth #christianhealing #mentalhealthsupport #christiananxiety #spiritualhealth #christianencouragement #mentalhealthministry #godsgrace #faithoverfear
Jesus might be one of the most emotional men that Jesus might be one of the most emotional men that we’ve ever come across in the ancient world, and that should give us pause. 

What does the emotionality of Jesus, alongside his sinlessness, communicate to us about the role of emotions in our lives?

At the very least, it banishes that terrible thought that too many churches teach which says emotions are by default negative things we must manage. 

Beyond that, the emotionality of Jesus tells us there is a path to godly emotions.

Particularly in light of the sadness that depression causes, these toxic lies can add burdens to an already struggling soul. 

If you’re that struggling soul, let that lie go and hold fast to the idea that your emotions aren’t sinful by default.

Tell me in the comments: What harmful things have you been taught about emotions in church?
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#christianmentalhealth #anxiety #faith #depression #healing #mentalwellness #christianity #jesus #mentalhealthawareness #christianauthor #hope #biblicaltruth #mentalhealthadvocate #christianliving #christianspeaker #godslove #prayerrequest #holyspirit #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #faithandanxiety #biblicalhealing #christiansupport #mentalhealthministry #christiandepression #tedxspeaker #spiritualwellness #christianencouragement #redefiningnormal #rediscoveringhope
When people tell me my daughter’s seizures are “part of God’s plan,” I want them to understand something crucial about Scripture and suffering.

Sometimes we experience pain because of the poor choices of others who are directly in our lives, such as child abuse. 

We haven’t done anything to ‘deserve’ these things, but another person’s poor choices have directly impacted our lives. 

And still other times, systems in the world that are run by powerful men and women or corporations make decisions that create misfortune in our lives.

My daughter’s epilepsy isn’t divine punishment or a beautiful lesson wrapped in seizures. It’s what happens when we live in a broken world where bodies malfunction, genetics get tangled, and systems fail.

God believes wholeheartedly in the free will of men and women and won’t interfere in their choices, even if those choices bring calamity upon them.

The difference between God allowing and God orchestrating changes everything. 

God didn’t give my daughter seizures to teach me patience. Evil and brokenness exist because love requires freedom—even the freedom to cause harm.

Stop making God the author of every painful story. Sometimes broken things are just broken.

Read more at resilientandredeemed.substack.com
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#mentalhealth #depression #christianity #faith #anxiety #healing #mentalhealthawareness #jesus #hope #christianliving #mentalhealthadvocate #christianauthor #biblicalwisdom #godslove #faithjourney #christianspeaker #prayerwarrior #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #holyspirit #biblicalcounseling #faithandmentalhealth #christianhealing #mentalhealthsupport #christiananxiety #spiritualhealth #christianencouragement #mentalhealthministry #godsgrace #faithoverfear
Understanding why suffering exists starts with und Understanding why suffering exists starts with understanding that not all pain has the same source. 

When someone tells you “God allowed this for a reason,” they’re oversimplifying something incredibly complex.

As someone who grew up in an abusive household and now has a daughter with autism and epilepsy, I’ve wrestled deeply with these questions. 

The answer isn’t that God orchestrated these difficulties—it’s that He values free will so much that He won’t override it, even when it causes pain.

This doesn’t mean God’s hands are tied. 

It means He’s honoring something bigger: authentic relationship that can only exist when love is chosen, not programmed.

There is no middle ground here. 

God either honors free will or He doesn’t, and both have consequences.
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#christianmentalhealth #faith #depression #anxiety #healing #mentalwellness #christianity #jesus #mentalhealthawareness #christianauthor #hope #biblicaltruth #mentalhealthadvocate #christianliving #christianspeaker #godslove #prayerrequest #holyspirit #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #faithandanxiety #biblicalhealing #christiansupport #mentalhealthministry #christiandepression #redefiningnormal #spiritualwellness #christianencouragement #tedxspeaker #rediscoveringhope
As a seminary graduate, I learned a lot about syst As a seminary graduate, I learned a lot about systematic theology. 

But nothing prepared me for sitting across from abuse survivors asking why a loving, all-powerful God didn’t intervene.

Here’s what I wish more people understood: 

Sometimes we experience pain because of the poor choices of others who are directly in our lives, such as child abuse. 

We haven’t done anything to “deserve” these things, but another person’s poor choices have directly impacted our lives.

God won’t superimpose His will upon another person’s will to accomplish His purposes—not even to prevent abuse. 

If He did, we would be automatons instead of human beings, and genuine love would be impossible.

Your abuse wasn’t part of God’s plan. It happened because someone chose evil, and God values free will enough to allow even terrible choices.

That’s not God being weak or absent. That’s God refusing to turn love into programming.

The most theological answer is sometimes: 

“That wasn’t God—that was a broken person in a broken world.”

Read more at resilientandredeemed.substack.com
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#mentalhealth #anxiety #christianity #faith #depression #healing #mentalhealthawareness #jesus #hope #christianliving #mentalhealthadvocate #christianauthor #biblicalwisdom #godslove #faithjourney #christianspeaker #prayerwarrior #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #holyspirit #biblicalcounseling #faithandmentalhealth #christianhealing #mentalhealthsupport #christiananxiety #spiritualhealth #christianencouragement #mentalhealthministry #godsgrace #faithoverfear
Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s masterpiece. 

Other translations use the word workmanship, but I am enamored with the use of the word masterpiece. 

Think about the nuance of this word for a moment from the perspective of the creator of the masterpiece.

Imagine God as a painter, and God has his masterpiece in front of him. 

God knows that it’s a masterpiece and is proud of what’s been created. There’s no doubt in God’s mind that something special has just been created. 

God knows it’s his best work.

And there’s something else that’s true of a masterpiece too—it’s never hidden in a closet. 

No, the artist is proud of his work and wants to show it off. He wants everyone who can see it to see it because he knows it’s amazing.

We are God’s Sistine Chapel. 

We are to God as The Marriage of Figaro is to Mozart. 

If God were Bono, we’d be Sunday, Bloody Sunday. 

We are worth everything to him.

The Church may have taught you otherwise, but the Bible is crystal clear: You are God’s masterpiece.
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#mentalhealth #depression #christianity #faith #anxiety #healing #mentalhealthawareness #jesus #hope #christianliving #mentalhealthadvocate #christianauthor #biblicalwisdom #godslove #faithjourney #christianspeaker #prayerwarrior #mentalhealthmatters #christiancommunity #holyspirit #biblicalcounseling #faithandmentalhealth #christianhealing #mentalhealthsupport #christiananxiety #spiritualhealth #christianencouragement #mentalhealthministry #godsgrace #faithoverfear
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