So excited to finish the book. As someone who has always had anxiety and depression since I could remember this is so encouraging. When Christ saved me He changed my mind about anxiety and depression. I am coming to the same conclusions as brother Tony through my study of scripture. Last semester I took a class in psychology that just furthered my understanding of these sins. Before I was Christian I did all the things medication and worldly counseling. I was suicidal, self harming and have self medicated. Then Christ rich in His mercy and grace saved me. He showed me my sins and have brought be to saving faith. I still struggle with these sins but thanks be to God He is sanctifying me and I’m washed by the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again nothing but the blood of Jesus. He does heal, He does save, and He as given me peace and joy. Thanks to the both of you for this conversation and can’t wait to see what the Lord does with this. Also Martin Lloyd Jones book spiritual depression is also a great read and the sermons you can listen to online were a blessing. God is so good!
I really, really enjoy testimonies; Thanks Tony for sharing this and taking the time to write a book unpacking your experience. I plan on reading it. I feel sort of disarmed by the sort of 'need' to read the book before responding to the 'absolute no' medication claim specifically. I do plan on reading it but having contemporaneous conversation about that issue seems hard here given the frame presented in the interview. I think the end goal on anxiety is always going to be sanctification and reliance on Christ, guided by a solid Christian counselor operating on Biblical principles, with the patient attending a local church and getting pastoral advice and care. There has to be a level of triage here though - if someone is very sick, unable to be high functioning, unable to discharge their household duties, can barely hold their job - this is going to take a long time to unwind, and the created medicine can serve a purpose for a season. It can NEVER displace the Creator and trust in Christ. I do agree 100% that no one knows how some of these drugs actually work, though this is common in pharmaceuticals in general. I'd agree that the 'chemical imbalance' thing is damaging because it is license to depend lifelong on the created item for your deliverance. But merely not knowing their method of action exactly doesn't mean they can't be taken. Finally, some drugs are just REALLY bad for you. Stuff like Ativan and Xanax will relieve anxiety almost instantly, other benzos are similar but not quite the immediate hit. Most people will very quickly become dependent on them because of the immediacy of the response. Other drugs are also going to drive dependence on them. The world largely doesn't seem to think that predilection for long-term dependence is a problem, but Christians need to use discernment in treatment to avoid those drugs because the plan is always to stop taking them as you work out your issues in counseling.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Unfortunately, the format of an hourlong podcast often doesn’t afford the opportunity to fully unpack the many subjects the book addresses. And, because I spent so much time giving a brief synopsis of my testimony, I didn’t give Pastor Keith a lot of opportunity to ask follow-up questions. That’s on me, not him. I’m sorry portions of the interview left you feeling disarmed. The book is a 360-page treatment of the subject, with various subtopics all interconnecting in one way or another. I’m thankful to hear that even with me falling short of expectations in my interview with Pastor Keith, you are still willing to read the book. Thank you. I hope it encourages you and fills in some of the blanks I left in the interview.
As far as what tony said about not using a go pro when evangelizing. I understand what he is saying of not wanting to be about him and putting himself out there. For me I miss those times of seeing his interaction with people as he shares the gospel. Through watching those videos ive learned so much on how to evangelize . They showed different scenarios and how beautifully tony handled them. Its because of them I can properly share the gospel, learning what to say, questions to ask and so on. Tony GO PRO. Love you in Christ and happy to be your sister in Christ and friend. 😊
I will purchase this book. Hearing brother Tony mention the late Martyn Lloyd-Jones is an encouragement to me. Lloyd Jones’ material pulled me out of my own “Dark night of the soul” as Spurgeon coined. I’ve also learned through my struggle with anxiety and depression that we are truly in spiritual warfare and must stand firm regardless of how we may feel. The enemy of our souls knows how to drive us to despair. we must be able to identify his schemes and devices and not become ignorant of those things. Great conversation fellas! Thanks
Came for the podcast, but now the intro makes me want to go watch Family Matters reruns. What have you done to me, you monster? :) Appreciated this episode. Thanks!
Wow this episode was such a blessing! I used to be the guy that would make fun of people with anxiety and depression, until I experienced it myself. I'll be getting the book for sure!
I hope you will read the book. I believe the arguments are biblically sound. Whether or not we completely agree in the end, may our Lord bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you.
As former corrections officer in Kentucky, we know this its because we are so busy we in a waystuff it back because of this busyness. I deal with depression and aniexty and have done since I was 7 years of age.
I’ll get the book, but it seems I cry out for help and get some relief. Then struggle again. Over and over. Don’t see any real help in this life with anxiety and depression. Lord help me.
I posted this on FB also... I will admit, I always thought there was proof of chemical imbalance , as I have always heard of it, and I probably have said it not knowing. Just repeating what I have heard. So, that was a big shocker to me.
In the book, I spend a good deal of time addressing the mythology of chemical imbalance in the brain. I, too once believed it was true. I thank God for leading me to the truth about it. If you decide to read the book, I pray it encourages you.
So excited to finish the book. As someone who has always had anxiety and depression since I could remember this is so encouraging. When Christ saved me He changed my mind about anxiety and depression. I am coming to the same conclusions as brother Tony through my study of scripture. Last semester I took a class in psychology that just furthered my understanding of these sins. Before I was Christian I did all the things medication and worldly counseling. I was suicidal, self harming and have self medicated. Then Christ rich in His mercy and grace saved me. He showed me my sins and have brought be to saving faith. I still struggle with these sins but thanks be to God He is sanctifying me and I’m washed by the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again nothing but the blood of Jesus. He does heal, He does save, and He as given me peace and joy. Thanks to the both of you for this conversation and can’t wait to see what the Lord does with this. Also Martin Lloyd Jones book spiritual depression is also a great read and the sermons you can listen to online were a blessing. God is so good!
Praise God, sister. Praise God.
I really, really enjoy testimonies; Thanks Tony for sharing this and taking the time to write a book unpacking your experience. I plan on reading it.
I feel sort of disarmed by the sort of 'need' to read the book before responding to the 'absolute no' medication claim specifically. I do plan on reading it but having contemporaneous conversation about that issue seems hard here given the frame presented in the interview.
I think the end goal on anxiety is always going to be sanctification and reliance on Christ, guided by a solid Christian counselor operating on Biblical principles, with the patient attending a local church and getting pastoral advice and care. There has to be a level of triage here though - if someone is very sick, unable to be high functioning, unable to discharge their household duties, can barely hold their job - this is going to take a long time to unwind, and the created medicine can serve a purpose for a season. It can NEVER displace the Creator and trust in Christ.
I do agree 100% that no one knows how some of these drugs actually work, though this is common in pharmaceuticals in general. I'd agree that the 'chemical imbalance' thing is damaging because it is license to depend lifelong on the created item for your deliverance. But merely not knowing their method of action exactly doesn't mean they can't be taken.
Finally, some drugs are just REALLY bad for you. Stuff like Ativan and Xanax will relieve anxiety almost instantly, other benzos are similar but not quite the immediate hit. Most people will very quickly become dependent on them because of the immediacy of the response. Other drugs are also going to drive dependence on them. The world largely doesn't seem to think that predilection for long-term dependence is a problem, but Christians need to use discernment in treatment to avoid those drugs because the plan is always to stop taking them as you work out your issues in counseling.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Unfortunately, the format of an hourlong podcast often doesn’t afford the opportunity to fully unpack the many subjects the book addresses. And, because I spent so much time giving a brief synopsis of my testimony, I didn’t give Pastor Keith a lot of opportunity to ask follow-up questions. That’s on me, not him.
I’m sorry portions of the interview left you feeling disarmed. The book is a 360-page treatment of the subject, with various subtopics all interconnecting in one way or another.
I’m thankful to hear that even with me falling short of expectations in my interview with Pastor Keith, you are still willing to read the book.
Thank you. I hope it encourages you and fills in some of the blanks I left in the interview.
As far as what tony said about not using a go pro when evangelizing. I understand what he is saying of not wanting to be about him and putting himself out there. For me I miss those times of seeing his interaction with people as he shares the gospel. Through watching those videos ive learned so much on how to evangelize . They showed different scenarios and how beautifully tony handled them. Its because of them I can properly share the gospel, learning what to say, questions to ask and so on. Tony GO PRO. Love you in Christ and happy to be your sister in Christ and friend. 😊
I will purchase this book. Hearing brother Tony mention the late Martyn Lloyd-Jones is an encouragement to me. Lloyd Jones’ material pulled me out of my own “Dark night of the soul” as Spurgeon coined.
I’ve also learned through my struggle with anxiety and depression that we are truly in spiritual warfare and must stand firm regardless of how we may feel.
The enemy of our souls knows how to drive us to despair. we must be able to identify his schemes and devices and not become ignorant of those things.
Great conversation fellas! Thanks
Good word, Ryan! I hope the book encourages you!
Came for the podcast, but now the intro makes me want to go watch Family Matters reruns. What have you done to me, you monster? :)
Appreciated this episode. Thanks!
Just ordered the book, looking forward to reading it!
I hope it encourages you!
Wow this episode was such a blessing!
I used to be the guy that would make fun of people with anxiety and depression, until I experienced it myself. I'll be getting the book for sure!
Glad you were encouraged! 🙂
Encouraging episode 🎉
Praise God. Glad you were encouraged, Sarah. 😊
Not totally convinced, but I appreciate the conversation. ACBC is solid.
I hope you will read the book. I believe the arguments are biblically sound. Whether or not we completely agree in the end, may our Lord bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you.
As former corrections officer in Kentucky, we know this its because we are so busy we in a waystuff it back because of this busyness. I deal with depression and aniexty and have done since I was 7 years of age.
I’ll get the book, but it seems I cry out for help and get some relief. Then struggle again. Over and over. Don’t see any real help in this life with anxiety and depression. Lord help me.
There IS hope. And I hope and pray the book is an encouragement to you.
I posted this on FB also... I will admit, I always thought there was proof of chemical imbalance , as I have always heard of it, and I probably have said it not knowing. Just repeating what I have heard. So, that was a big shocker to me.
In the book, I spend a good deal of time addressing the mythology of chemical imbalance in the brain. I, too once believed it was true. I thank God for leading me to the truth about it.
If you decide to read the book, I pray it encourages you.
I haven’t heard that kick butt theme song in a while
#DispensationalismisDead