Faith + Hope + Love

Halloween is one of those topics that gets Christians a little freaked out. Is it okay to wear costumes? Should kids be allowed to go trick-or-treating? Are Halloween parties actually satanic rituals? If we do anything on Halloween other than turn off the lights and pretend we're not home, does that mean we're putting our faith at risk of spiritual attack? Some Christians believe there is nothing wrong with dressing up in costumes or handing out candy on Halloween—that it's a totally innocent, fun holiday for kids and teens. Other Christians are convinced that it's an evil holiday that was established to worship Satan and darkness and all things occult. By now, you are probably pretty clear about how your parents feel about Halloween. But which view is right? "Halloween" is not mentioned in the Bible specifically, but we can still use biblical principles to help us make a good decision about what to do. That said, there is still the whole "Chi...

How can I be a good friend to someone who has anxiety? This is such a beautiful question. And the answer is both extremely simple and infinitely complex. Short Answer: Simply love your friend. Your friendship with a friend who suffers from anxiety may be just like any other on most days. But when their anxiety flares, realize that how your friend needs to experience love may be different than you think. It'll likely be different than what you yourself would want or need. During a period of extreme anxiety, the biggest help you can give your friend is to listen to what they're saying. Discover what they need from you in that moment. From my experience, for most people, their needs can be boiled down to three things: Patience, presence, and communication. Have Patience with Them If you have never struggled with anxiety or depression, one of the hardest things to understand is that anxiety can be utterly crippling. Debilitating anxiety can make it hard ...