How To Live in a Broken World With a Spiritual Perspective | Therapy & Theology

In Season 14 of Therapy & Theology, we’re learning what it means to live aware but not afraid. Together we’ll explore topics like spiritual discernment, spiritual warfare, the armor of God, death and dying, heaven and hell, what Scripture says about the unseen realities behind the battles we face, and so much more.

You see, there is a seen, physical reality to the things we experience, but then there is also an unseen, spiritual reality coexisting at the same time. While we don't want to ignore the enemy, we also don't want to give him too much credit.

This season's episodes will help you:

• Recognize signs of Satan's deception and spiritual warfare through biblical discernment and wisdom.
• Process chaos, suffering, addiction, and sin while understanding the role the enemy can play in the midst of it all.
• Understand and apply the armor of God to the daily battles you face.
• Get honest about your doubts instead of ignoring them or allowing them to take root.
• Discover what the Bible really says about death, heaven, and hell.

Plus, Therapy & Theology is linking arms with First 5 for a special crossover experience centered on a brand-new Bible study, Between Heaven and Here: Biblical Answers About the Spiritual Battle You’re Facing. So get your copy of the Bible study, and subscribe to the Proverbs 31 Ministries YouTube Channel so you're notified as soon as Episode 1 drops!

Links and resources we mention in this season:

• We’re grateful to the American Association of Christian Counselors for being a yearlong sponsor of Therapy & Theology. When someone you care about is hurting, it’s not always easy to know what to say or how to help. The fully online Caring for People God’s Way Biblical Counseling Certificate Program, presented by the American Association of Christian Counselors and Light University, can help you feel more equipped to navigate those conversations with compassion and biblical Truth. And because you’re part of the Therapy & Theology community, you can access the complete program for just $99 with a special scholarship. Visit LightUniversity.com/Proverbs31 to learn more.
• Go to Compassion.com/Lysa to join us in sponsoring a child through Compassion International today.
• Capstone Wellness provides residential treatment and custom therapy intensives that retrace hurt to the roots in a Christ-centered environment. You can learn more by visiting Capstonewellness.com/proverbs31 today.
• Click here for all Therapy & Theology links and resources.
• Click here to download a copy of the episode transcript.

What is Therapy and Theology?

Have you ever looked at a situation you’re facing in utter disbelief and thought, "How will I ever get over this?" Lysa TerKeurst understands. After years of heartbreak and emotional trauma, she realized it’s not about just getting over hard circumstances but learning how to work through what she has walked through. Now, she wants to help you do the same. That’s why Lysa teamed up with her personal, licensed professional counselor, Jim Cress, alongside the Director of Theological Research at Proverbs 31 Ministries, Dr. Joel Muddamalle, to bring you "Therapy & Theology." While Lysa, Jim and Joel do tackle some really hard topics, you’ll soon find they're just three friends having a great conversation and learning from each other along the way.

DR JOEL MUDDAMALLE:
Hi, friends. Dr. Joel Muddamalle here. I wanted to be the first to officially welcome you to Season 14 of Therapy and Theology. As a theologian, if there's one thing I've learned from the conversations I've had with Christians over and over again, it's this: We have a lot of questions about the enemy, the spiritual realm, and the unseen battles happening around us.

JOEL:
Questions like, what does spiritual warfare actually look like? How do we recognize the enemy's schemes without becoming consumed by fear? And how does biblical discernment help us navigate the very real struggles we face in a real broken world? That's what we're exploring in this season of Therapy and Theology.

JOEL:
Spiritual warfare always has a prize in mind, like every battle always has a prize in mind. Hmm. And the ultimate prize has always been, always will be, about the people of God.

LYSA TERKEURST:
We don't need to ignore the enemy, but I'm always careful to say, "Don't give the enemy too much credit," because in the midst of his scheming, you know, he, he is crafty, the enemy, but he's not creative.

JOEL:
Discernment isn't simply, uh, telling between right and wrong. See, discernment is the identification between what is right and what is almost right.

JIM CRESS:
I think there is a human warfare that's going on in co-operation, known as cooperation, with Satan and his forces and all the demonic. But often it's like, it feels like it's often more human, the, the, the, the human wisdom driven than it is just Satan's there moving all the pawns around on a chessboard.

LYSA:
Satan's very name means one who casts something between two to cause a separation. Separation is always one of his schemes, one of his tactics. Remember I said he is crafty, but he's not creative.

JOEL:
If the enemy can deceive us, and then they can divide us, then the enemy's going to absolutely be able to bring about destruction, even if it's our own self-destruction.

JOEL:
Together, Lisa TerKeurst, Counselor Jim Cress, and I will open up God's Word around topics we may not have talked about before, but our goal is to help you live aware and alert instead of living afraid. Each episode will equip you to better face earthly hardships and stand confidently in the victory Christ has already won.

JOEL:
Episode one drops next week, so leave us a comment with all of your questions and what you're hoping to learn. I'd love to know where you're getting tripped up and how we can help. We'll meet you back here next week, friends.