J.S. Park: Hospital Chaplain, Skeptical Christian
From Devout Atheist to Skeptical Pastor: A Blog For Busted-Up, Beat-Down People (Like Me)
Anonymous asked a question: I went through a traumatic life experience about 3 years ago. As it played out over the last 2 years, I feel like I’ve lost my inner drive to do anything. What do I do? Hey dear friend, I’m sorry to hear this and thank you for sharing about it with … Continue reading Trauma Has Ruined My Life: How to Recover? Here Are Six Ways to Post-Traumatic Growth
Anonymous asked a question: Do you get angry with yourself when you seem to miss obvious things? Like I’m trying for years to be good at work and I feel that I can’t obtain what I’m trying to work towards. I look to make sure things are quality and somehow it seems missed. At least … Continue reading The Burden of Perfectionism: Handling Mistakes and Always Coming Up Short
Anonymous asked a question: If a friend of yours who showed no signs of racism ever just happened to get mad at you about something and called you a racial slur, what would you do? Hey my friend. That’s terrible that this happened to you, and I’m sorry. That’s also a very, very big yikes … Continue reading My Friend Called Me a Racial Slur: Are They a Racist?
Anonymous asked a question: Is anxiety a sin? God says to be anxious for nothing. I googled it and apparently lots of Christians say anxiety is a sin. Means you don’t fully trust God Hey dear friend: No, I don’t believe that anxiety is a sin. Anxiety results from a broken brain, originating from a … Continue reading Is Anxiety a “Sin”? Does It Mean That I “Lack Faith”?
sunmoonandmyrtle asked a question: Hey J, I know the Bible contains God’s instructions for us, but in this modern time, I wonder if it’s ok to also look at “secular advice” on topics like developing your career (especially as a young person), money management and general life stuff (e.g. being organised and good mental health). … Continue reading How Do We Combine the Bible with “Secular” Advice?
Anonymous asked a question: My father is an abuser and maybe it’s stupid, but how can people can not be afraid of the words “our father in heaven”? Hey my friend, thank you for sharing so honestly and I’m sorry you experienced such abuse. I hope and pray you are at a safe distance today … Continue reading If My Father Abused Me, How Could I Ever Say “Heavenly Father”?
Anonymous asked a question: What do you do if every time you bring up God in a conversation someone changes the subject? Hey dear friend, I would say: Let them. Be kind and let them. That doesn’t mean you never talk about your faith around that person. But my guess is that 1) the topic … Continue reading How Do I Talk About God with Someone Who Doesn’t Want to?
purposedinthecosmos asked a question: Who are some well-known women you respect, look up to or have been positively influenced by? (Christian and non Christian) Hey dear friend, I really love this question. I’m assuming you are asking me about writers, authors, celebrities, etc, but I have to give a shout-out to my wife, my mom … Continue reading My Favorite Female Influences
Anonymous asked a question: What do you do if you’re asking a non-Christian friend what they’re up to and they respond with telling you they’re doing some activity you know is sinful? Let’s say they could tell you they’re smoking or doing something dishonest or they’re practicing wicca. What’s the proper response to something like … Continue reading How Do I Confront a Friend Who Is “Sinning”?
Anonymous asked a question: My friends and I were taking about suicide and Christians. They all came to the unanimous conclusion that you must be able to ask for forgiveness for the sin of suicide in order to be forgiven for that, otherwise you can go to Hell. As someone that struggles with depression, I … Continue reading Is Suicide the One Unforgivable Sin?
Anonymous asked a question: Hey there. so I’m going to be starting counseling soon and I’m kind of anxious about it. Do you have any advice on opening up to a new medical professional? Hey dear friend, that’s great news you’re getting counseling. If it were up to me, I wish we could all have … Continue reading About to Get a Therapist: How Do I Do This?
Anonymous asked a question You know what? I’ve heard a lot of criticism towards Westboro Baptist Church and I’ve searched for Christians who have reached out and I could only find two on the whole internet. I’ve noticed Christians disassociate themselves with them understandably but I think they are victims in many ways but ultimately … Continue reading How Do We Show Love for Hate Groups Like Westboro?
Anonymous asked a question: I read a text post from you about wanting friendship just for appreciation of the person, not opportunism. I used to be like that. But somehow through the hurt I’ve accumulated from people, real relationships feel too fragile. To cope, I found myself using people for clear defined reasons, than sentimentality. … Continue reading How Do I Open Myself Up to Friends Again?
Anonymous asked a question: I’ve followed you for a while. I find solace in your blog. I recently did a Spiritual Gift Test in my leadership group at church. I scored a 23 in Mercy and Administration (out of 25), but I scored an 8 in Faith. The test is a tool to show your … Continue reading The Dangers & Myths of Personality Tests
Anonymous asked a question: I’m a medical social worker and quite new to the profession. For a long while I had thought that it was what I wanted to do in life. Now… I’m not quite sure. It’s exhausting and I’m not quite sure if it’s beneficial for my mental health in the long run… … Continue reading Compassion Fatigue: The Heartache of a Job That Requires All Heart
Anonymous asked a question: Hi J.S., as someone who has been diagnosed with depression, GAD, and PTSD, your writing has been a huge comfort. I wanted to ask this – have you come to accept your battle with depression? I still struggle to accept that my mood is out of my control. My faith has … Continue reading I Am Not My Depression
Anonymous asked a question: Do you have any idea as to how I can combat my death anxiety related to a generalised anxiety disorder? Despite having been a Christian for the entirety of my life, I’m really struggling with the fear of losing loved ones and eventually, dying myself. My greatest fear is just becoming … Continue reading My Greatest Fear Is Death
Anonymous asked a question: How do I find Christian love at 27? I find that so old to start afresh… Hey dear friend, first I’d like to point you here: – 7 Thoughts on Singleness: Is Something Wrong with Me? I know that being single when you don’t want to be is painful. There’s no … Continue reading I’m Too Old to Find Love: How Do I Start?
Anonymous asked a question: What are the top 3 things you love about your wife ? There are a ton of things I love about my wife. Even if she didn’t have the following “traits,” I would still love her. These are not necessarily a top three, but an “at least three.”
Anonymous asked a question: How to heal from a broken heart? Going through my first break up and even though we weren’t officially dating, I’ve never felt so much pain in my life. Every time I think I’m over it, I end up on the floor having a mental breakdown. When does it end? Hey … Continue reading Healing from a Breakdown Over a Break-Up
J.S. Park: Hospital Chaplain, Skeptical Christian 