What if you could see God answer your prayers right before your eyes? How would it change your view of God if you could go back and reflect on how he’s moved in your life?
That is why I started prayer journaling.
Author Archives: bamarinelli
Creating Healthy Social Media Boundaries
You don’t have to get off of social media to have healthy boundaries in your life. You just need to know how to get the positive things from social media and get rid of the negative.
What Does the Bible Say About Mental Illness? Part 3
After years of struggle, I finally found my way out of my depression and reconciled my brokenness before the Lord. I was freed from thinking I needed to be the perfect Christian to be happy and drew closer to the Lord.
What Does the Bible Say About Mental Illness? Part 2
A distinction should be made between “mental health,” and “mental illness.” Caring for our mental health is not the same as treating a mental illness.
What Does the Bible Say About Mental Illness? Part 1
I went for years thinking I wasn’t a good enough Christian. That I didn’t have faith. It’s a taunting song still ringing in my head–a lie I have to constantly pray against.
Social Anxiety in a Pandemic
I walked into the grocery store with a bare face. I felt everyone staring at me as I searched for other maskless people to make sure I wasn’t the only one. I was surprised at the relief I felt to be rid of my mask, but also self-conscious after being required to wear one forContinue reading “Social Anxiety in a Pandemic”
Anxiety Triggers
I’m in it. My chest is caving in on my lungs. My head is spinning. Every time I close my eyes I see the gruesome sight and then my mind rushes into a fury of terror. My blood rushes hot through my body. My breathing becomes rapid. Then chills run down my arms like lizardsContinue reading “Anxiety Triggers”
What is a “Sunday Christian”?
In my testimony I use the term “Sunday Christians” when talking about my childhood. When my mom read that, she didn’t know what to think about it. Was this a negative thing? We ended up having a good discussion on how we grew up and evolved as a family in our spiritual growth. Do IContinue reading “What is a “Sunday Christian”?”
Created for Community
Jesus lived in community. He surrounded himself with the twelve disciples and many others, such as Lazerus, Mary and Martha, and Mary Magdalene, just to name a few that come to mind. Sure, he was their rabbi, their leader. But he needed them, too. They assisted him in his ministry (Luke 9:1-6). They gathered withContinue reading “Created for Community”
When Christian Leaders Sin
The church we used to attend has been through a lot. Several years ago there was a scandal after a pastor admitted to having an affair with another staff member. It was a difficult thing for this large church to navigate. It was plastered all over the news. A few months later that pastor committedContinue reading “When Christian Leaders Sin”
The Medication Paradox
“Boing, boing, boing!” rings the alarm on my phone. “Mom, it’s time to take your meds!” my four-year-old exclaims. That specific ringtone chosen as my medication reminder has forever ingrained in our minds the utter importance of my taking my medication. On time. Because we all know what happens if I don’t.
I Have Overcome
I hope that if you are reading this and think you can’t handle just one more ounce of suffering that you will find comfort in that I know what that’s like.
Self Image: Body, Mind & Spirit
Lithium. The most prescribed medication for Bipolar Disorder and yet it seemed to make things worse. My moods were still out of control. I was mean. I was severely lethargic to the point that I shouldn’t have been driving, but I was manic, so I did anyway. I gained weight and developed cystic acne. WhyContinue reading “Self Image: Body, Mind & Spirit”
The Storm Within My Mind
The pressure on my chest from the stress was physically painful. The medication my psychiatrist prescribed had me living in a fog. I could barely keep my eyes open.
Survival Mode
For many people, 2020 was the beginning of a season of crisis. It seems like it’s never going to end. You’ve cancelled weddings, lost jobs, lost loved ones, had COVID, been in isolation among other things. I grieve with you.
Beautifully Broken
I had the skewed idea that since I was a Christian, my sins washed clean by the blood of Christ, I should always appear completely whole. I believed my insides should always be overflowing with praise to God for His Goodness, my outsides should continually exude Christ’s joy.
When Prayer Isn’t Enough
Screams escaped me like a steaming kettle. There was no way to turn down the burner, no hand to pull it off of the heat. My mom was at a loss as to how to help me. She showed me my face in a mirror but I didn’t recognize that girl.
Fighting Anger
Our society is currently filled with a lot of anger due to a conglomeration of current events. Anger seeps into conversation like the serpent snuck into the garden of Eden. Anger destroys relationships. Anger destroys people. I’ve struggled with anger my whole life. It builds up quickly and overtakes my rational mind like the flick of a match.
Momma’s Boy
Our bond was interrupted completely. On day four of being Arthur’s mother I was rushed to the hospital. It was life or death as doctors and nurses hovered over me. Testing. Evaluating. Talking in concerned voices. Emergency life saving surgery and 19 days in and out of ICU due to severe septicemia.
The Mind of Anxiety
The other day I started a fire in my house. I simply just wasn’t thinking. Later that night I was lying in bed thinking of how dumb I was to do what I did. I started imagining if there really was a fire at night. I thought about all the ways it could go wrong.
Called to be Steadfast
I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. I do believe, however, there is value in going into a new year with purpose.
For Better, For Worse
As we said our vows on December 30th, 2011, we meant it. It’s idyllic. We had typical newlywed expectations that, over time, changed as reality set in. It’s one thing to say the vows, it’s another thing to live them.
Running From My Idol
The bulletin board in my bedroom glistened with neat rows of race medals meticulously labeled. My identity displayed above where I slept. Thanks be to God for this gift!
Conflict Un-resolution – Part 2: The Lesson
This is the kind of thing that would cause a person to walk away from God and His church. Thankfully my family and I know that people, even pastors, are fallible but God is not.
Conflict Un-Resolution – Part 1: The Fall
The difficulty with Donny built up slowly but then fell down fast, like an eagle swooping down to collect its prey. I was left reeling, in shock, and deeply wounded. My husband, the rock, forged ahead and sought the Lord for how to deal with it.