Through The Valley
By Through The Valley
Episodes posted on Thursdays
Through The ValleyJun 01, 2023
Turning to God During a Brain Injury - w/ Pedro Santos
Pedro Santos, a soccer player at Wingate University, shares his story about a brain injury that threatened his ability to play soccer for the rest of his life. After turning to God during this time, Pedro shares how Christ has transformed his life since then.
Share your Story:
https://forms.gle/gENg3D85CzKWuH6m7
Connect With Me:
- Follow the podcast on Instagram: @throughthevalley_podcast
- Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
- Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
- If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Rescued from the Pit of Depression - w/ Vontrez Roberts
Vontrez Roberts, a senior at Wingate University, joins TTV to share his journey with depression, anxiety, and the unique pressures he faces with mental health as a student athlete. A common theme that came from our talk was that God is faithful and able to rescue us from our pits of depression and anxiety. I pray you are blessed by Trez's transparency and can see the hope of Jesus Christ through his story.
Connect With Me:
- Follow the podcast on Instagram: @throughthevalley_podcast
- Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
- Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
- If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
How Should Christians Respond to General Anxiety? (Ep. 10)
In the last episode we established how sincere believers in Jesus do indeed experience prolonged seasons of General Anxiety. Now, how should Christians respond? Is it okay to even feel anxious? What practical things can be done to alleviate or get to the root of our General Anxiety?
Resources:
- DSM Criteria for General Anxiety Disorder - http://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/assets/basc-3/basc3resources/DSM5_DiagnosticCriteria_GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder.pdf
- “My Battle With Anxiety” https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/personal-stories/my-battle-anxiety
- Some Things You Should Know About Christians Who Struggle With Anxiety: https://www.challies.com/articles/some-things-you-should-know-about-christians-who-struggle-with-anxiety/
- “Is it okay for Christians to feel anxiety?” https://www.ccef.org/video/is-it-okay-for-christians-to-feel-anxiety/
Connect With Me:
- If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
- Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
- Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
What is General Anxiety & Can Christians Struggle With It? (Ep. 9)
What is General Anxiety, as opposed to Panic Attacks, Social Anxiety, or just the normal stress of life? Can true, sincere Christians struggle with this? If so, how do we respond?
Resources:
- DSM Criteria for General Anxiety Disorder - http://images.pearsonclinical.com/images/assets/basc-3/basc3resources/DSM5_DiagnosticCriteria_GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder.pdf
- “My Battle With Anxiety” https://adaa.org/living-with-anxiety/personal-stories/my-battle-anxiety
- Some Things You Should Know About Christians Who Struggle With Anxiety: https://www.challies.com/articles/some-things-you-should-know-about-christians-who-struggle-with-anxiety/
- “Is it okay for Christians to feel anxiety?” https://www.ccef.org/video/is-it-okay-for-christians-to-feel-anxiety/
- If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
- Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
- Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
Why Easter Matters for Your Mental Health (Easter 2023)
What does Easter have to do with mental health? Is that even a relevant question? In this episode, we see how the Easter story actually has a lot to say about you depression, anxiety, stress, or grief. "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." -1 Cor 15:13-14
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- If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
- Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
- Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
Should I Go to Counseling/Therapy? (Ep. 8)
Sincere Christians often ask the question, "Should I go to counseling or therapy for my depression/anxiety/relational problems?" Within this question lie a few assumptions we need to clarify. One, what do we mean by counseling/therapy? Second, what are the negative stigmas that make us ask this question in the first place? And third, if we answer in the affirmative, how should we walk in wisdom when we seek out counseling? All this in today's episode.
Resources:
"Why do Christians need counseling if we have the Holy Spirit?” By Nate Brooks https://rts.edu/resources/why-do-christians-need-counseling-if-we-have-the-holy-spirit/
“Can Christians Go to Counseling?” by Jeremy Smith https://churchandmentalhealth.com/can-christians-go-to-counseling/
Winter Blues & Seasonal Depression (Ep. 7)
Do you ever notice patterns in your life? Not just in the day to day, but over seasons or years? Seasonal Depression (also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD) is a common phenomenon where people experience a depressed state in a specific time of the year, typically Fall or Winter. A milder form is known as the Winter Blues - general feelings of sadness during colder months.
What are these things, and what biblical hope do we have for those who experience them?
Sources
Mayo Clinic, “Seasonal Affective Disorder,” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651
David Mathis, “What Winter Can Do to a Soul,” https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-winter-can-do-to-a-soul
Depression in Athletes w/ Matt Hannon (pt. 3/3)
Matt Hannon, a long-time friend of mine, joins me to talk about mental health in athletes. In part 3 of this talk, we discuss the roles of the general population, health-care professionals, and athletes themselves in helping stem the tide of depression in the athletic population.
Depression in Athletes w/ Matt Hannon (pt. 2/3)
Matt Hannon, a long-time friend of mine, joins me to talk about mental health in athletes. In part 2 of this talk, we discuss stats surrounding depression in collegiate athletes, the challenges of diagnosing depression in athletes, a tragic story of an athlete with undiagnosed depression, the day-to-day grind of college athletes, and the hope of the gospel in finding our identity in Jesus.
Depression in Athletes w/ Matt Hannon (pt. 1/3)
MARCH MADNESS is here. Have you filled out a bracket? If you're listening to this podcast, it's probably too late. Anyways, we have another special guest on the podcast today. Matt Hannon, a long-time friend of mine, joins me to talk about mental health in athletes. In part 1 of this episode, we get to learn a little about Matt, why he is pursuing an athletic trainer degree, his experience with depression, and his heart for athletes who struggle behind closed doors with the same things he has. We talk about some of the stigmas that athletes with depression may face, and why it is so hard for most of us to see why an athlete—a human like the rest of us—could even struggle with this. I had a lot of fun recording this episode. It was super informative for me, and I hope it will be for you!
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
Reach Out Anyways (Ep. 6)
Have you ever felt alone in your depression? Have you ever thought "no one will understand me?" "If they only knew what I was going through."
If so - you need to listen to this week's podcast. How do we "reach out anyways" as those who suffer, and what is the role of the local church in ministering to those who deal with depression and anxiety? All this and more on this week's episode of Through The Valley
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
The Myth of 'Have More Faith' (Ep. 5)
Have you ever had someone say to you during a trial: "oh, just have more faith!" or "just pray more" or "let go and let God"? What do these phrases truly tell us about our understanding of suffering in the Christian life? In this episode, we continue our series on depression by exploring what true, biblical faith is. Even in our darkest seasons, true faith is not a feeling or a call to move on quickly from our grief, but rather to meet God with that grief and wrestle with His promises.
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
What Exactly Is Depression? (Ep. 4)
What is "depression"? How do we define it from a biblical standpoint? Can Christians be depressed? How has modern psychology helped clarify some of these questions? All this and more on this weeks' episode of Through The Valley!
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
New Year, Same World (Ep. 3)
How should we approach the New Year as Christians? Where is our true hope? The reality is, it may be a new year, but the world is still the same as it has always been since the Fall. Our hope is not in a New Year, because its the same world. Rather, its a New Year, but we trust in the same God.
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book and music: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
Brokenness & The Grace of God - w/ Ian Leighninger
Ian Leighninger is a college student at Wingate University in North Carolina. Ian's story is one of God's grace working in the midst of brokenness and loss. We are thankful for Ian's willingness to share his story, all in hope that you too will be encouraged by his faith and the faithfulness of Jesus in the most broken parts of life.
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
A Baby Is Your Hope - Advent 2021 (3/3)
It sounds strange, doesn't it? A baby born 2,000 years ago in a dirty stable is the hope for humanity. But this is exactly what the Christmas season is about. This baby, this Jesus, this Immanuel, is our hope.
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
He Knows Your Pain - Advent 2021 (2/2)
Jesus became like you in every way. He knows the human experience. He was a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. This is your Savior, your Friend, your Redeemer, and your Hope.
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
He Knows Your Darkness - Advent 2021 (1/3)
What does Christmas have to do with your mental health?
Well, in Christian tradition, Christmas celebrates the Advent of Christ. What is Advent? It's the Coming of Jesus Christ into this world. He is the light in the darkness. This is truly good news for those who deal with depression, anxiety, or any effects of living in a fallen world. What is the Christian hope? It is knowing that our God has come to dwell in our darkness—and He has overcome it.
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
A Biblical Worldview for Suffering Souls (Ep. 2)
Why does suffering exist? What does the biblical worldview have to say about it? Join Cole in this episode as he talks about the "Four C's" of a biblical worldview: Creation, Curse, Cross, Coming. These four main points of the Bible form a robust worldview for dealing with mental suffering in this world.
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com
MY STORY: "Hello, I'm a Christian and I've been on the verge of suicide" (Ep. 1)
Hello, I'm a Christian and I've been on the verge of suicide. To some, that may sound paradoxical. It may sound wrong. A Christian? On the verge of suicide? How can that happen? Well, let's talk.
My name is Cole, I'm 25 years-old, and I've struggled with general depression and anxiety for around 9 years now. I am a Christian. But depression is real. Anxiety is real. We live in a world where these things happen. Even Christians face these things.
Don't we talk about mental health enough? Well, my fear is that there are many within and without the Church walls who are suffering in silence. Let's be honest: the Church doesn't talk about this enough, or at least doesn't provide a robust, biblical worldview to those who suffer with these conditions.
So that's why this podcast exists: to open the floor and break the ice on Christianity and mental health. This episode will cover my story with depression and anxiety, starting in 2014. All I want you to know today is that there is someone out there who has felt what you have felt. Even as a Christian, I have struggled for seasons with these conditions. Why "Through The Valley"? Because God is leading us through our valleys of life through His faithfulness. And one day, He will lead us through the final valley of this world into His heavenly kingdom, when Christ returns.
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If you appreciate my work, please consider supporting me as a creator on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=32541928
Follow my Facebook Page for updates on my book: https://www.facebook.com/Through-The-Valley-109942323982587/
Feel free to email me or reach out at throughthevalleybook@gmail.com