Ah, summer break—that magical time when parental fantasies of peaceful days collide with the chaotic reality of kids declaring "I'm bored" every fifteen minutes. If you're already feeling the summer strain, this episode delivers the perfect blend of practical wisdom and reassuring humor to help you navigate these sun-soaked months without losing your sanity.

We dive into seven refreshingly honest strategies that transform summer parenting from overwhelming to enjoyable. First, we explore why abandoning those picture-perfect expectations might be your most liberating summer decision. Your backyard sprinkler may not be a resort water feature, but it can become the setting for genuine joy when we adjust our perspective. We also unpack the surprising benefits of allowing children to experience boredom—that state parents often dread but which actually fuels creativity and self-direction in remarkable ways.

The episode offers practical guidance on establishing simple daily rhythms without becoming your family's entertainment director. Those spontaneous ice cream trips and impromptu blanket forts often create more meaningful memories than elaborately planned activities. Most poignantly, we're reminded that our children are only this age for this summer—a perspective that transforms everyday frustrations into opportunities for connection and gratitude.

Between the practical tips on prepared snacks and the gentle reminder that self-care isn't optional for summer survival, you'll find permission to embrace the beautiful mess of family life. Whether you're nodding along in recognition or laughing at the universal struggles of parenting, you'll come away with both practical strategies and a refreshed mindset for creating a memorable summer.

Subscribe to our newsletter through our website for more resilience-building insights, and remember—this is the day the Lord has made. Choose joy amid the summer chaos!

Link to 7 Ways to Enjoy Your Summer Blog by John Thurman

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Depression silently shadows millions of lives, with over 21 million Americans experiencing major depression annually. Even more revealing is that approximately 7.6 million Christians battle this condition while often facing an additional burden of shame and spiritual confusion. These statistics aren't just numbers—they represent real people struggling to reconcile their faith with their mental health challenges.

Depression stretches far beyond temporary sadness or spiritual weakness. It's a complex mood disorder that can drain motivation, steal joy from activities once loved, and even disrupt your sense of connection with God. For Christians, this often creates a painful cycle where feelings of spiritual inadequacy compound the depression itself. The good news? You don't have to suffer alone, and there are numerous practical strategies to manage depression while honoring your faith journey.

Before reaching for medication (though it can be appropriate and lifesaving when needed), consider these faith-friendly approaches: morning walks that expose you to mood-enhancing sunlight, handwritten journaling that neurological research shows activates emotional processing in ways digital journaling cannot, challenging negative thinking patterns that distort God's truth, and setting small, achievable goals that rebuild confidence. Scripture repeatedly shows that even faithful servants experienced profound discouragement, yet they found hope through their darkest seasons.

Faith offers unique resources during depression: hope when circumstances seem hopeless, strength during times of weakness, a perspective that challenges distorted thinking, and a community when isolation feels safest. As you journey toward healing, remember that self-compassion isn't selfishness—it aligns with Jesus' command to "love thy neighbor as thyself." Whether through the practical tools shared in this episode, the resources on my blog, or my book "Getting a Grip on Depression," know that you can find your way back to joy and purpose. Depression may be part of your story, but with faith and evidence-based strategies, it doesn't have to define your future.

#Depressionbiblestudy, #christianbooksondepression, #depressionandfaith, # christiandeppresion,#christianmental health.

Link to Coming out of the Shadows #3

Link to Coming Out of the Shadows #2

Link to Coming Out of the Shadows #1

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Have you ever noticed how your thoughts can dramatically affect your emotions and actions? There's profound truth in the biblical wisdom "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7) – a principle now validated by modern psychological research.

When negative thought patterns take hold, they create what therapists call "cognitive distortions" or what I like to call "stinking thinking." These distorted thought patterns can fuel depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental health challenges. The good news? You don't have to remain captive to these harmful thoughts. By recognizing these patterns and applying biblical principles, you can experience remarkable transformation in your mindset and emotional well-being.

In this episode, I walk through the top ten cognitive distortions that commonly plague our thinking, from all-or-nothing thinking and overgeneralization to emotional reasoning and personalization. I pair each distortion with powerful Scripture that offers a pathway to renewed thinking. We explore how Romans 12:2 calls us to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind," and how 2 Corinthians 10:5 encourages us to "take every thought captive." These aren't just spiritual platitudes but practical tools for mental health.

Remember, your past pain doesn't have to dictate your future. As I often tell my clients, "Do not let your pain become your idol." Instead, let God use that pain as a launching point for a meaningful, purposeful life. Whether you're personally struggling with depression or supporting someone who is, this episode offers both compassionate understanding and practical strategies for moving forward. For additional resources, check out my book, "Getting a Grip on Depression," available on my website. Remember – you are fearfully and wonderfully made, valued, and loved by the God who created you.

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Depression doesn't discriminate—even among the faithful. Exploring the often-taboo intersection of Christianity and depression, this episode tackles the persistent question many believers struggle with: Can a Christian experience depression?

The answer is a resounding yes. Drawing from scripture, professional experience, and personal struggle, I unpack how approximately 7.6 million Christians in America silently battle depression while facing the added burden of stigma within their faith communities. This stigma creates a painful paradox where those who most need support feel unable to seek it without judgment or shame.

Depression manifests across multiple dimensions of human experience. Cognitively, it creates brain fog and difficulty concentrating. Emotionally, it weighs down the spirit with persistent sadness. Behaviorally, it leads to withdrawal from activities and relationships that once brought joy. Physically, it disrupts sleep, appetite, and overall well-being. For Christians specifically, depression often adds a fifth dimension—spiritual struggle—where prayers feel unanswered and God's presence seems distant despite intellectual understanding of His love.

As both a therapist with over 65,000 clinical hours and someone who has personally wrestled with depression, I share insights from my recently re-released book "Getting a Grip on Depression." This episode marks the beginning of a five-part series that offers practical, proven tools for understanding and overcoming depression while maintaining your faith. Through it all, we're reminded of the hope found in Psalm 42:11: "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God." Even in our darkest moments, God's presence remains constant, offering the light that guides us toward healing.

If you've ever felt alone in your struggle with depression as a believer, this episode affirms your experience. It offers a pathway forward that honors both your faith and your need for comprehensive support. Subscribe to join me on this journey toward resilience and renewed hope.

Get John's book & Bible Study Getting a Grip on Depression, for Free on Kindle Unlimited.

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What colors paint your mental landscape? Are they vibrant and life-giving, or dull and limiting? In this thought-provoking exploration of mindset, John Thurman weaves ancient wisdom and modern psychological research to offer a uniquely Christian perspective on personal growth and transformation.

Drawing from the profound words of Marcus Aurelius that "your soul takes on the color of your thoughts," alongside biblical warnings against double-mindedness, Thurman creates a compelling case for developing what psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck calls a "growth mindset." He contrasts the limitations of a fixed mindset—believing talents and abilities are static—with the liberating perspective that we can grow through effort, learning, and perseverance.

The episode walks listeners through biblical examples of growth mindset in action, from Deborah's courageous leadership and David's journey from shepherd to king, to Ruth's risk-taking adventure and Peter's remarkable transformation after his failures. These stories illuminate how faith and psychological principles complement our spiritual development.

Most valuably, Thurman provides ten practical, actionable strategies for cultivating a growth mindset within a Christian framework. These range from embracing spiritual growth as a lifelong journey and viewing challenges as opportunities to journaling insights and actively engaging with a church community. Each strategy is grounded in scripture while incorporating evidence-based approaches to mindset transformation.

Ready to break free from limiting beliefs and experience the vibrant colors of transformed thinking? Subscribe to John Thurman's Resilient Solutions Shortcast and discover how aligning your mindset with biblical truth can revolutionize your personal life, relationships, and faith.

Link to Morning with Monette, "From Victim to Victor Mindset"

Link to John's Blog "10 Ways You Can Develop a Growth Mindset"

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Discover powerful tools that combine enduring faith, post-traumatic growth, and neuroplasticity to transform trauma and trials into triumph through rewiring your brain.

• Faith serves as a powerful tool guiding us through difficult times, illuminating hope when facing challenges
• Post-traumatic growth allows individuals to not just recover from trauma but experience meaningful life changes
• Neuroplasticity represents the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize even after traumatic events
• Resilience has evolved beyond just bouncing back—it's about leveraging experiences to find purpose in pain
• Spiritual practices like prayer, Bible study, and community support are conducive to healing and transformation
• Avoiding making trauma an idol is crucial—recognize it, address the pain, and move forward
• Personal testimony shared about working as a chaplain in a burn unit while processing brother's death
• Integrating faith principles with post-traumatic growth creates opportunities for spiritual and emotional change
• Mindset matters—understanding the difference between victim mindset and victorious mindset

Check the show notes for a special Bible study resource to help rewire your brain using Scripture, available on my website. Join me next week as we discuss the difference between closed and open mindsets for experiencing growth.

Link to Article

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We explore how understanding brain function can unlock a growth mindset and enhance spiritual resilience, beginning with five brain basics that affect our thinking patterns.

• Our brains are naturally negative with a "negativity bias" that makes us Velcro for bad experiences and Teflon for good ones
• The brain constantly scans for danger, which helps survival but can create unnecessary anxiety
• Worry becomes habitual when we allow our brains to amplify stress and focus on what could go wrong
• Our minds dislike uncertainty and fill in knowledge gaps with assumptions based on past experiences
• We crave predictability and need strategies to handle unexpected situations effectively
• Romans 12:2 offers a biblical framework for transforming our thinking patterns
• Philippians 4:6-9 provides practical guidance for managing anxiety and directing our thoughts positively

Link to Blog: How to Build a Growth Mindset Pt# 1

Join me next time as we continue this series on developing a growth mindset. If you'd like to learn more, visit johnthurman.net or covertmercy.com or email me at [email protected].

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Have you ever wondered why some people bounce back stronger from life's harshest blows while others feel stuck and broken? Tune into our latest episode of the Resilient Solutions Shortcast, where I will unpack the four primary ways we react to trauma, adversity, and challenges. Drawing from my experience as an Army Chaplain, Licensed Mental Health Professional, and Crisis Response Specialist, I offer a unique lens on resilience. Inspired by Dr. W. Lee Warren's transformative book "Hope, the First Dose," this episode delves into the emotional turmoil and psychological barriers we face in times of crisis, providing you with practical tools to navigate these stormy waters.

Join me as I explore the concept of "crashers"—those who find it challenging to regain their footing after traumatic events—and how these reactions intersect with the disorders discussed in "The Character Edge." You'll gain a deeper understanding of the patterns that lead to emotional numbness and learn strategies to break free from them. With the support of expert insights and research, this discussion is designed to equip you with the knowledge and strength to face adversity head-on. Walk away with not just hope but a robust toolkit to foster resilience in your personal life, relationships, and faith.

Link to Blog: 4 Responses to Tragedy, Trauma and Adversity

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Resilience is a complex journey that intertwines the ability to bounce back from adversity, experience personal growth, and foster a sense of community and purpose. This episode illuminates the evolving understanding of resilience and its vital role in overcoming trauma, rooted in psychological research and biblical principles. 

• Evolution of resilience as a concept over decades 
• Importance of personal experiences in understanding resilience 
• Introductory definitions of resilience, resistance, and post-traumatic growth 
• Role of community and shared purpose in recovery 
• Connection to biblical examples of resilience 
• The potential for growth and healing after trauma

Links to Resources:

Link to blog - How to Expasnd Your Resilience in 2025

Link to "High Hopes" by Frank Sinatra

First, a Dose of Hope by Dr. W. Lee Warren

Dr. Marty Seligman's three books bundle: Authentic Happiness, Learned Optimism, and Flourish - Amazon Special.

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