Bonus Episode. Excerpts from my Audio Book 'The Renewed Mind'.

Between the Seasons Bonus Episode. 

Excerpts from my Audio Book The Renewed Mind.  

To listen to the podcast based on this book. Subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcasts from at: https://therenewedmindpodcast.buzzsprout.com

 You can support my work by purchasing this book in one of three formats.

To listen to this audiobook for free on Audible:The Renewed Mind: A Spiritual Path to Overcoming Depression and Anxiety (Audio Download): Jeremy R McCandless, Jeremy R McCandless, Jeremy R McCandless: Amazon.co.uk: Books

For Kindle Version:  The Renewed Mind: A Spiritual Path to Overcoming Depression and Anxiety. eBook : McCandless, Jeremy R: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

To Buy the Paperback: The Renewed Mind: A Spiritual Path to Overcoming Depression and Anxiety.: Amazon.co.uk: McCandless, Jeremy R, McCandless, Jeremy R: 9798277895924: Books

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:18

Hello, welcome to another Between the Seasons bonus episode, and again I'm giving you some free extracts from my recent audiobook, The Renewed Mind. A Christian Biblical Spiritual Approach to Understanding and Overcoming Depression and Anxiety. As ever, I've put some links in where you can listen to the audiobook for free on Audible if you're a member over there, or on Kindle Unlimited, for free. You can read it, or you can even just purchase the physical book itself. I hope you find it helpful, and I'll see you again soon when we launch off on our new season together in a few days. Bye-bye for now. Introduction. Scripture reminds us, for as He thinks in His heart, so is He. This is a truth that underscores the important impact our inner dialogue has on our everyday lives. At every moment thoughts cross our mind. They influence how we feel, whether we recognise it or not. Perhaps as you hear these words, you're wrestling with discouragement thinking, well I'm a loser, nothing will ever change for me. Yet the Bible teaches us that our thoughts do not define who we are. In 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 17, we are assured that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old has passed away, and behold the new has come. This is the transformative power of God's truth, renewing our minds. It's easy to fall into a cycle where negative events, broken relationships, failures at work, or painful memories can lead us to believe that we are victims of circumstances beyond our control. Many think that depression is solely the result of these types of external hardships, or maybe genetic factors, or even the unavoidable nature of life's disappointments. Yet, whilst it is true that hardships exist, the Bible encourages us to look beyond the immediate pain and to change the lens through which we view our experiences. Romans chapter 12, verse 2 encourages us to not be conformed to this world, instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This transformation begins when we consciously choose to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. That's what we're urged in Philippians chapter four. In our modern world, discussions about depression often centre on medication, brain chemistry, and while medicine does provide relief for many, God has provided us with a powerful addition, or for some, I believe even an alternative, that is a renewal of our minds through prayer, scripture, and a strong supportive faith community, alongside, of course, talking therapies. All these things can help individuals reframe negative thought patterns. The Christian life calls us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. This is not merely self-help, it is aligning our innermost thoughts with God's eternal truth. The healing journey can be challenging, especially when negative thoughts seem to have a life of their own. Yet the Bible reminds us that we are not alone in this. Cast all your anxiety onto Him because He cares for you, we're told in 1 Peter. God's love and the support of a caring family and for some a caring church community can provide a safe place for us to share our burdens, much like the biblical call to carry each other's burdens. In the chapters that follow, we will explore how embracing God's word can change the very fabric of our thought lives, leading to sustained improvement in our mood and outlook. Depression and anxiety, though often viewed as purely medical issues, also can be addressed through spiritual practice of the renewing of the mind. As we learn to surrender negative thought patterns and replace them with the hope and truth of God's promises, we step into a new creation, a life not marked by despair but by the abundant joy and peace that comes from a deep, abiding relationship with God. Remember, even in moments of the most profound struggle, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. That's from the Psalms. With his strength we can overcome the shadow of depression and anxiety. We can discover a renewed life of purpose, hope, and healing. In our fallen world, God's grace works through many means to bring healing, even when the pain of depression and anxiety can seem overwhelming. What I believe this book can offer is hope and a guide to renewing your mind in Christ. It is important to recognize that for those facing severe mental health conditions or chronic depression, the empathetic support of a qualified therapist and sometimes medication cannot be underestimated. There is no shame in seeking help. As Jesus Himself said, it is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. This reminds us that God often works through professionals and indeed medications just as he works through prayer and scripture. There are today a variety of tools for addressing and healing depression, antidepressant medications, individual and group talking therapies and inspirational books. Sound Christian books will be the most helpful, I believe, but also some secular self-help books as well. In Ecclesiastes we are told that two are better than one, for if they fall one will lift up his companion. In the same way, combining the wisdom of professional help with the additional comfort of God's word can provide a powerful support system in your journey to recovery. This book is intended to serve different purposes for different people. For some it may be the first step towards healing for themselves, for others it might be a valuable companion to ongoing therapy. Many therapies are now assigning what is called reading therapy as homework to help their patients reflect and renew their mind between sessions. I hope that one day pastors and church leaders will find in these pages a useful tool for equipping individuals within their own congregations to overcome such struggles, those of anxiety and depression. Echoing the insight from Proverbs which tells us that without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed. Now it's important to set realistic expectations. No single book or form of therapy for that matter is a universal cure for depression. Depression is a condition marked by feelings of shame, worthlessness, hopelessness, and demoralization. Depression can sometimes feel even more isolating than other forms of suffering. Even those who battle terminal illness can still feel loved and enveloped in messages of love and hope by those around them. But those who are depressed often feel abandoned, yet Scripture offers us comfort in such times. As the Psalmist reassures us, the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Someone who suffers deeply may even get to the point where they yearn for death, wishing for an end to their pain. Such despair is a very serious matter, and God understands the darkness you may be facing. However, remember the promise also found in the Psalms, which tells us that weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. No matter how overwhelmed your situation may seem, the hope of restoration is real. The clouds will part one day, and the brightness of God's love will shine upon you once again. If you are struggling with depression, know that transformation is possible, and I pray that as you work through this book you will discover that renewing power, the power of God's truth and the support that comes from his everlasting love. Together, through prayer, professional guidance, and the profound healing found in Scripture, you can journey towards a future filled with hope and joy. And as we journey, let us remember the Lord's promise of sufficient grace and new beginnings in Christ. Just as promised by the Prophet Isaiah and confirmed by the Apostle Paul. Chapter 6 Understanding Depression. Understanding your moods, how you feel, is essential for transformation. As you've experienced in the previous chapters, depression is not simply a matter of feeling down. It impacts your entire being. Your mood slumps, your self-image crumbles, your body suffers, your willpower weakens, and your actions falter. This is why you can feel overwhelmed and burdened. Yet, amid this struggle, the Word of God reminds us that whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, think on these things, urging us to renew our minds in His truth. For many years, depression has been treated as an emotional or a chemical disorder, one that therapists address by focusing on feelings or immediate use of medication. But emerging insights together with biblical wisdom reveal a deeper truth. The root of every bad feeling is not the emotion itself, but the distorted negative thinking behind it. Just as Proverbs teaches, for as he thinks in his heart, so he is, our pessimistic or illogical thoughts form the very foundation of our pain. When you are depressed, your thoughts shift dramatically. Some describe it as like a sudden cosmic jolt, a moment when the lens through which they view life turns dark. In these moments you may find yourself ruminating over past failures, convinced that every accomplishment was just an illusion, and that your true self is unworthy. Doubt freezes you in your tracks, yet the misery pushes you forward into a cycle of despair. But remember this this distorted vision is not reality. It's a symptom of spiritual and mental inner conflict, one that can be corrected through connecting again with God's renewing power. Every negative thought you've experienced, every automatic unbidden idea that runs through your mind contributes to your emotional turmoil. These automatic thoughts may have become so habitual that they feel as natural as the way you hold a fork. Yet the truth is you have the ability to recognize and restructure them. In 2 Corinthians, we are urged to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. By identifying the negative cognitions that precede your feelings of despair and replacing them with biblical truth, you hold the key to real and lasting relief. Consider the analogy of a radio. When it is not tuned correctly, all you hear is static, dissonant noise that drowns out the melody. Depression is much like that untuned radio. It is not the radio or the signal that is inherently bad, but the dials that are misaligned. As you learn to adjust your mental dials, so to speak, renewing and aligning your mind with the truth of Scripture, the clear, uplifting music of God's promises will come through for you, and your depression can truly begin to lift. Some may be tempted to say, but I'm unique. I don't care if thousands of others have overcome depression. I'm convinced beyond any doubt that my problems are hopeless. Such despair is also a delusion born of distorted thinking, a hallmark of the very condition that you are battling. It is the enemy's attempt to convince you that you are uniquely forsaken. But remember the words of Jesus in John chapter 8, you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. The truth is that your negative thinking is not a reflection of reality, it is a mental trap that can be dismantled. The purpose of this book is to help you see behind the mirror of illusion and recognize how you have been deceived, or sometimes because of the hidden pain, how you are choosing to deceive yourself. In the following pages you will encounter a carefully prepared list of ten cognitive distortions, spiritual delusions, in fact, the very patterns of thought that lie at the heart of all depression. This distilled wisdom, derived from both secular research and the eternal truths of the Bible, can be invaluable in revealing the falsehoods that have kept you in bondage. So as you listen and reflect, let God's light guide your understanding, for his word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, the psalmist writes. Embrace this journey of self-discovery and mental tuning from here on forward and prepare to submit your heart and mind to the word of God, and thereby experience the freedom that comes from aligning your thoughts with his truth instead of those lies of the enemy, who will always try and tell you that you were beyond regeneration or even beyond the love of God. Chapter 25. Eight important things you need to know about anger. One events don't make you angry, your thoughts do. Proverbs 16 teaches better be a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Anger is not a product of external events, but of the meaning we assign to those events. When we accept that our thoughts shape our emotions, we gain control over our reactions. If we were helplessly bound to external events, we would have no way to exercise the patience and wisdom that Scripture recommends. 2. Most of the time, your anger will not help you. James chapter 1 reminds us everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Anger often immobilizes rather than empowers us. Rather than focusing on resentment, seek solutions. Can the situation be remedied? If not, release it into God's hands and move forward in peace. 3. Your anger often stems from distorted thinking. Ephesians chapter 4 advises us that in our anger not to sin. Anger is frequently fuelled by exaggerated or incorrect perceptions of injustice. Before reacting, test your thoughts against Scripture and reality. Does your perception align with the truth and with God's truth? four. Seeing the world through the eyes of others can transform your response. Philippians chapter two instructs us do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others above yourself, not looking to your own interests, but each to the interests of one another. When we recognise that others act from their own perspective, our perception of fairness will often dissolve. Developing empathy leads to understanding and us being able to express grace. 5. Retaliation rarely achieves a positive outcome. Romans twelve advises us not to repay anyone evil for evil. Do not take revenge, it says. Instead, leave room for God to work it out. Retaliation only escalates conflict and creates long-term resentments. Instead, choose to diffuse hostility through patience and kindness. 6. Anger often stems from the fear of losing self-esteem. Ephesians chapter 1 asks us, are you trying to win approval of human beings or of God? Are you a people pleaser? If you are still trying to please people, you're not really being truly a servant of Christ. When criticism or disagreement triggers anger, it often reveals that insecurity. True worth is found in God's approval, not human validation. 7. Frustration often comes from unmet and often unrealistic expectations. Proverbs 1921 reminds us that many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is in the Lord's purpose that we prevail. Unrealistic expectations, such as believing that fairness will always prevail or that our effort guarantees success, will in fact often lead to frustration. Adjusting expectations to align with reality and God's sovereignty is the thing that brings peace. And eight. Holding on to anger is spiritually and emotionally draining. Colossians 3 8 tells us that we must rid ourselves of all things like these anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, all these things that come from our lips. While anger is a natural emotion, dwelling on it is actually spiritually harmful. Letting go of anger leads to a greater sense of joy, peace, and spiritual clarity, as Ephesians chapter 4 urges us to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, and instead replace it with kindness and compassion and forgiving one another. When we align our emotional responses with this type of biblical wisdom, we find that anger loses its power and control over us. Instead of being controlled by frustration, we can walk in the freedom and the peace that God actually desires for us. Chapter twenty-nine Developing Perspective Personalization One of the most common distortions that can lead to misplaced guilt, psychologists call personalization, the misguided notion that we are ultimately responsible for other people's emotions, actions, or even circumstances beyond our control. This can lead to us carrying an unnecessary oppressive burden, as if we must constantly manage the feelings of those around us even at our own expense. While scripture teaches us to bear one another's burdens, it also tells us that each person must carry their own load. Understanding where our responsibility begins and ends is crucial in overcoming false guilt and walking in freedom from the sense of false responsibility. A simple example might be feeling guilty because it rained unexpectedly on the day you organized a large outdoor event for your friends or perhaps a local club. Logically, you know that you don't control the weather, yet the sense of guilt may linger. While this kind of guilt is relatively easy to shake off, guilt can become much more challenging to overcome when it involves real suffering and genuine interpersonal conflict. When someone blames you for their pain or discomfort, it can be helpful to clarify the extent of yours, if any, true responsibility. Where does your responsibility end and the other person's begin? The technical term for this process psychologists call attribution, but you might think of it as simply putting things in their proper perspective. Let me give you a case study on carrying a burden of guilt. A college student, we'll call him Brother A, is struggling with guilt over his brother B, who is in a deep depression. While Brother A is outgoing and academically successful, Brother B has become withdrawn, eventually dropping out of school and isolating himself. Brother A has now convinced himself that his success is the thing that has caused Brother B suffering and reasoned that if he can become miserable himself it might somehow help his brother feel better. Consequently, he has sabotaged his own happiness and has also begun to avoid social activities himself, and downplays his achievement and resists any step towards emotional healing. This kind of reasoning is a classic example of what C. S. Lewis once described. described when he said the proper aim of giving is to put the other person in a state where they no longer need our gift. Brother A mistakenly believes his brother's well being was his responsibility, but in doing so he failed to recognise that true love does not enable dysfunction, it seeks restoration and truth. Personal struggles, even when shaped by our external circumstances, stem ultimately from the way individuals respond to life. Each one will bear his own load is the biblical principle here, and it indicates that while we may support others we are not their saviours, in fact only Christ can be. When Brother A examined his guilt in the light of the Bible he saw that his success was not the cause of his brother's depression. Brother B's struggle stemmed from his own internal battles. Saint Augustine once wrote God has promised forgiveness to your repentance, but he has not promised tomorrow to your sense of procrastination. Similarly, healing and change are in Brother B's hands, not brother A's. Self sabotage should never be seen as a form of sacrificial love. Martyring ourselves emotionally does nothing to bring other people closer to God's healing. Again Dietrich Von Hofer observed nothing can be more curial than leniency which abandons others to their sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe reprimand which recalls another one in one's community back from their path of pain. True love does not enable but points towards God and points out that Christ is the only Saviour. When Brother A understood that yes he could love and support his brother, but also that only God could heal him, things then became better and positive for him. Jesus himself made it clear Come to me all who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Sadly this scenario also sometimes plays out in some marriages. When we wrongly assume responsibility for others' emotional well being we place ourselves in the role of God, a burden we were never meant to bear. By entrusting others to Christ and embracing our God given responsibilities rather than false guilt, we find true peace and freedom chapter 51 The Dawn of a New Day As we reach the culmination of our journey together I want to leave you with the final message a spoken truth that I believe comes from the heart of God and one intended to be heard in the deepest part of your soul. This book has been an exploration of the landscape of your inner world a terrain that can often be shaped by the shadow of anxiety and the weight of perfectionism the paralysis of procrastination and the deep ache of hopelessness. We have dared to name the lies and distortions that have held you captive and now I hope you have begun to reclaim the truth about yourself. Remember the possible awakening found in suffering and the dignity of the soul that no external thought can extinguish is real. This is not a distant goal but the inherent reality of who you really are you were forged and created in the image of a loving God and your worth is not a prize to be earned but a gift freely given sealed by the cross of Christ. This world may clamour for you to be more, to do more, achieve more, but God in his infinite grace simply invites you to be and become who you already are, to be loved and to be human. We've explored the radical notion of daring to be average, not as a surrender to mediocrity, but as a liberation from the crushing tyranny of perfectionism. We've discovered that the relentless pursuit of flawlessness is a mirage, an idol that promises glory but delivers only shame and anxiety. Instead we find a hidden landscape behind the unassuming door of being you, a place where grace grows wild and where you are accepted as you are and where joy can finally take root. Furthermore, from that fertile ground we've been able to confront the paralyzing grip of procrastination, often a silent partner with depression and the perfectionism it demands. We've learned that the antidote isn't taking a fiercer whip to yourself but a gentler hand and a willingness to act faithfully not flawlessly to understand that mistakes are not failures but signposts, learning opportunities for growth and a deeper encounter with God's patient mercy. Your failures do not diminish you they make you more human, more relatable more capable of receiving and extending grace. Most importantly we've stepped into the harrowing valley of the shadow of death and hopelessness. We've faced head on the lies of the voice of despair and unworthiness. We've acknowledged the raw pain and the desperate cry of the heart yet we've declared with unwavering conviction that you are not trapped, you are not alone you are not beyond help. We've seen how those bars are in fact made of thoughts not of iron and that the illusion of hopelessness though terrifying unreal in its felt experience can be challenged, exposed and ultimately broken. The truth grounded in the resurrection of Christ assures us that there is always a future always a new dawn always a Saviour who knows the pain and calls you to live. We've seen how the subtle poison of ingratitude whether received or given can steal our peace and we've learned the profound freedom of extending unconditional love and of sowing seeds faithfully without demanding an immediate harvest or choosing positive reinforcement over criticism. This isn't weakness it's the strength of Christ's love flowing through you, transforming not only your relationships but your own heart So as we close this book and you step back into the rhythm of your daily life carry these six truths with you one you are immensely valuable simply because you exist and because Christ died for you. Your dignity is inherent it is not earned two grace and forgiveness is the bedrock of everything and it's not an aspiration you don't have to deserve God's love you simply receive it three imperfection is not your enemy it's your humanity it's the very context in which God's power is made perfect and where true growth blossoms four your thoughts are not always facts. You have the power with God's Spirit to challenge the lies and embrace the truth five hope is not just a feeling it's a person a person called Jesus Christ and because he lives you can live fully and abundantly even in the midst of life's inevitable storms. Six you are never alone God is with you and he has placed you in a community where help, love and healing are found. The journey ahead will undoubtedly have its challenges there will be days when the old lies will resurface when the fear of failure whispers and when the burden of expectation feels heavy but now I believe you are equipped with the weapons with artillery in fact to fight back with the shield of faith to extinguish those flaming arrows fired against you. You have been given the compass of scripture the guidebook of the Bible the map of honest self-reflection and the anchor of God's unchanging love. So dare to live fully dare to love deeply dare to make mistakes dare to be human and in all of it dare to trust in the one who holds your life your worth and your future in his perfect and loving hands. So go now and walk in the freedom of grace. The best is really yet to come and may God bless you richly for that is his promise and a final call to action is to say this is not the end it is the beginning step into this day with hope knowing that you walk with Christ