In this episode, Gunner Gundersen, Darby Strickland, and Esther Liu discuss the process of progressive sanctification. They explore its meaning and implications, and how it plays out in the lives of believers. How does our union and relationship with Christ serve as the foundation for our sanctification? How does growing in our understanding of this help us become more like Jesus? While sanctification can be a messy process, there is hope and encouragement in recognizing that our growth in Chris...
Jul 07, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 12
In this episode, CCEF faculty Gunner Gundersen, Esther Liu, and Darby Strickland discuss the often painful experience of feeling that God is silent. They explore the emotional turmoil and spiritual distress that accompanies this silence, particularly during prolonged suffering, and how it can lead to feelings of abandonment and doubt. Gunner, Esther, and Darby talk about how Scripture provides a framework for understanding and processing this experience of silence, and they discuss the commonali...
Jun 23, 2025•37 min•Season 6Ep. 10
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the pervasive issue of busyness. They explore how busyness can often be a form of suffering, how our misguided desires can exacerbate the experience, and how the Lord's compassion makes a difference. They discuss why it's hard to say no to good things and the costs of busyness, and they highlight the freedom that comes from the reality of God's sovereignty and his presence in our busy world. Mentioned in this episode: Read an important update from CCEF's Boa...
Jun 05, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 9
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the different ways we can experience loneliness, particularly within church community. They explore the importance of recognizing and addressing these emotions, as well as finding ways to move toward those on the margins. They consider some helpful practices and insights on how to navigate loneliness, such as viewing others as family, taking one step at a time, moving outward, and being honesty before the Lord. Related resources: Pushing through Loneliness t...
May 19, 2025•36 min•Season 6Ep. 8
In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the challenges and expectations that come with church relationships. They discuss the importance of clear communication, understanding different personalities, and the role of vulnerability in fostering meaningful connections. They emphasize how our future hope and the steadfast friendship of Jesus are a source of comfort and strength in navigating these relationships. Related resources: - Caring for One Another: 8 Ways to Cultivate Meaningful Relationships ...
May 05, 2025•39 min•Season 6Ep. 7
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss the common struggle of engaging with Scripture, especially during difficult seasons. They consider God's patience and gracious intent for our Scripture reading, what it means to engage with the Word even when we don't hunger for it, and creative ways to engage with Scripture, such as through art or memorization. The conversation emphasizes the long-term nature of engaging with the Bible and the significance of community in fostering a deeper connection with ...
Apr 21, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 6
In this episode, CCEF faculty discuss discouragement and its various dimensions. They emphasize the importance of language in articulating discouragement and how honest expression can lead to deeper conversations with God. The conversation also delves into scriptural insights that provide hope and encouragement, highlighting the role of endurance and prayer. Mentioned in this episode: Looking for biblical counseling training? Check out Westminster Theological Seminary's Master of Arts in Counsel...
Apr 07, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 5
In this episode, CCEF faculty explore the interplay between anxiety and the body, discussing personal experiences and insights. They consider the impact of past experiences on anxiety responses, the significance of community, and practical strategies for navigating anxiety in the moment. Mentioned in this episode: Learn more about our upcoming conference: To Live Is Christ: The Life & Ministry of Paul, where we'll consider not so much the content of Paul's theology, but rather how he did min...
Mar 17, 2025•41 min•Season 6Ep. 4
In this episode, CCEF faculty share personal experiences of anxiety and consider how it manifests in many different ways. They share insights from Scripture and talk about how anxiety is a continual opportunity for conversation with the Lord. Mentioned in this episode: Check out the CCEF Blogcast, where CCEF authors read their own blogs. Find it on your favorite podcast app: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcast | Amazon Podcast Related resources: - Free Audio for Anxiety - A Small Book for the Anxi...
Mar 03, 2025•33 min•Season 6Ep. 3
In this episode, CCEF faculty share personal experiences and insights on how psalms of lament provide a framework for expressing sorrow and confusion, emphasizing the importance of honesty in prayer. The conversation explores the difference between lamenting and grumbling, highlighting the relational aspect of lamenting to God, who is compassionate and welcomes us to bring our suffering to him. Related resources: Become a Psalmist | Blog by Ed Welch Psalms 42 & 43 | Podcast episode by Mike E...
Feb 17, 2025•30 min•Season 6Ep. 2
We’re excited to be back with a new edition of the podcast! Join Alasdair Groves, Esther Liu, Gunner Gundersen, and Darby Strickland twice a month, on every 1st and 3rd Monday, as they discuss various topics, always seeking to bring the riches of Scripture to bear on the complexities of life. In today’s episode, “Navigating Conflict: Insights from Biblical Counseling,” CCEF faculty discuss the complexities of conflict, exploring its emotional toll, the normalcy of it a broken world, and how the ...
Feb 03, 2025•31 min•Season 6Ep. 1
“We have a God who loves, cares, and knows, and I can rest utterly in the hope that he will be with me, he will walk with me, and he will provide. He will care for every last moment of my day tomorrow as I am exhausted.” Do you ever have nights where you can’t sleep? Whatever the reason may be, struggling to sleep is a form of suffering. In this rerun of an episode originally released in 2022, Alasdair Groves explores what it looks like to lean on the Lord when we can’t sleep, assured that he is...
Jan 01, 2025•17 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Would you consider donating to CCEF to help us continue to provide the church with resources that mine the treasures of Scripture for the troubles of life? You can give at ccef.org/donate . Today’s episode is a session from our national conference a few years ago on anxiety. This session is by Ed Welch and is titled “Daily Bread: Today’s Strength for Anxious People.” Ed talks about God’s invitation in anxiety to come to him and find strength for today....
Dec 15, 2024•41 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Today’s episode is a rerun of an episode we released a couple years ago titled “Seasonal Depression.” We hope it’s an encouragement to you as we enter the winter season.
Dec 01, 2024•20 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Today’s episode is a free session from the 2024 National Conference: Rest. The session is by Aaron Sironi and is titled “Created to Do Good Work.” It considers the goodness of work and how it relates to rest in the cycle and rhythm of our lives. You can find more audio from our rest conference at ccef.org/2024 .
Nov 15, 2024•45 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Today’s episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled “Negative Emotions: Part 2.” We re-released Part 1 last month, so you can go back and listen to that if you haven’t yet. In this episode, we continue to consider how we should think biblically about negative emotions.
Nov 01, 2024•23 min•Season 5Ep. 5
Today’s episode is an audio lecture from one of our online courses, Helping Relationships, which is taught by Ed Welch. This lecture is titled “Pursue & Know People” and it covers one of the foundational ideas to this course and to all of biblical counseling: that we aim to know people well and pursue them like Jesus. Registration for this course is open through December 3. Register at ccef.org/school . The CCEF School of Biblical Counseling offers 6 courses that make up 2 certificates desig...
Oct 15, 2024•43 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Today’s episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled “Negative Emotions: Part 1.” In it, I consider some common questions: Is it okay for Christians to feel really bad? Is it okay for Christians to get upset and feel terrible, to be angry, or sad, or afraid? How do we rightly view negative emotions? I hope this episode helps you as you engage with your own negative emotions.
Oct 01, 2024•18 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Today’s episode is a session from our 2020 National Conference: Created to Draw Near. The session is by Mike Emlet and is titled “Beyond Devotional Doldrums: Using Scripture and Prayer to Foster Intimacy with God.” Emlet discusses some practices to faithfully and creatively engage in Scripture reading and prayer, which are two means God has provided for believers to regularly draw near to him and strengthen our faith. We’re looking forward to our 2024 National Conference: Rest in just a few week...
Sep 16, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 2
This fall we’re taking a longer break from the podcast while we work on a new format with more frequent episodes. We’re excited to launch that in 2025! In the meantime, we’ll be sharing some previously released resources with you. Today’s episode is a rerun of an episode we released a few years ago titled “Rest.” We hope you’re encouraged by this episode to draw near to the God of rest. Mentioned in this episode: We’re thinking a lot about rest as we prepare for our national conference on the to...
Sep 04, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Enjoy a bonus episode while we’re on break over the summer! This episode is a recording of Ed Welch's plenary session from the 2023 National Conference: Trauma. This year's national conference will explore the topic of rest: a foundational way of living out the Christian life that can only be learned from Christ and put into practice amid the challenges of daily life. Learn more and register at ccef.org/2024 . To receive a $25 discount on your in-person registration, use the code “podcast” at ch...
Jul 19, 2024•45 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this last episode of our miniseries on emotions, Alasdair Groves answers 11 questions submitted by our listeners. We hope these answers are edifying to you! You can read a transcript of this episode here . Mentioned in this episode: We’re excited to be doing a giveaway of some CCEF-branded items! To enter, visit ccef.org/podcast-giveaway . Winners will be chosen and notified via email on July 5. Are you looking for an answer to a particular question? See timestamps below to jump to that part ...
Jun 14, 2024•58 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Is it okay to be happy? Was Jesus happy? Are you happy? Listen as Alasdair Groves considers these three questions. This is episode 5 in a miniseries on emotions, where we are considering how to understand Jesus’s emotions and how that helps us understand our own. Mentioned in this episode: we recently released our latest issue of the Journal of Biblical Counseling , which includes articles on topics such as trauma, the empty nest, faithfulness in marriage, and scrupulosity. Learn more here . Fin...
May 01, 2024•22 min
Today we’re excited to share with you a recent project we’ve been working on. We started a new podcast called the CCEF Blogcast, where CCEF faculty read their own blogs. We hope you enjoy this special episode as Ed Welch reads his blog, “Become a Psalmist.” For more content like this, check out the CCEF Blogcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Music: "Created by Design" by Cody Martin
Apr 22, 2024•5 min
How can understanding Jesus’ emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt: anger, which we see in Scripture is often directed at the things that turn people away from him. “Jesus is angry about anything that pulls his people away from him, that pulls his people away from their home, the place of life, the house of the living God, where he is leading us to dwell forever and ever.” Mentioned in this episode: We recently released ...
Apr 01, 2024•20 min
How can understanding Jesus’ emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt: compassion, an ache on the heart that presses toward action to make things better.“ God sees our frantic bleating, living like sheep without a shepherd, harassed and helpless. He is a good shepherd, and he has compassion on his sheep, even especially where we struggle to have compassion for others.” Mentioned in this podcast: We're excited to announce th...
Mar 01, 2024•16 min
How can understanding Jesus’ emotions help us understand our own? Listen as Alasdair Groves focuses on one particular emotion which Jesus felt, just hours before his crucifixion: dread. How does Jesus’ experience of dread encourage us in our own experience of it? Mentioned in this podcast: Head to ccef.org/school to register for Dynamics of Biblical Change, one of our foundational courses, in the March 2024 term. Pricing increases after February 5, so register soon for the discount! This is epis...
Feb 01, 2024•19 min
“The heart poured out to the Lord is actually a form of trust.” Sometimes we find ourselves unable to control our emotions. Often this produces guilt, and we wonder, “What does that say about my faith?” How do we navigate such an experience? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses this experience and what faithful living looks like in this first episode of a miniseries on emotions. Related resources: Untangling Emotions | Book by Alasdair Groves & Winston Smith Emotions Are a Language | Blog pos...
Jan 01, 2024•20 min
Sometimes Scripture feels dry, distant, or impersonal. How do we apply Scripture in these times? How do we take hold of a cup of cold water when we are most thirsty? Listen as Alasdair Groves discusses what it looks like to bring Scripture to bear on our sufferings and struggles, using several examples from his own life. Related resources: Shaking Off Some Lifelessness with the Psalms | Blog post by Ed Welch https://www.ccef.org/shaking-off-some-lifelessness-with-the-psalms How Do You Personally...
Dec 01, 2023•29 min
Do you ever feel guilty about how small or weak your faith is? Listen as Alasdair Groves talks about weak faith, primarily considering an example from Peter, one of Jesus’ own disciples. “It's not about the strength of your faith. It's about the strength of the Savior. It's about the strength of the one who can pull you out of the dark waters and bring you back to the boat. Even the tiniest little bit of faith is God's gift to us anyway.” Related resources: The Way of Wisdom in Weakness & Se...
Nov 01, 2023•22 min
