Motherhood Archives - Christine M. Chappell

Video: Help for Depression in Motherhood Webinar Training

During this video recording, I briefly explore biblical insights regarding the experience of depression in motherhood and offer four key components to consider when entering into and engaging with a mother's story.

1 month ago

Postpartum Depression: Help & Hope Podcast Interview

In this conversation with Sharon Betters, I share about my experience of postpartum depression and the discouragement I felt as I struggled to be the mom I thought I should have been during that time.

2 months ago

Rethinking Nostalgic Postpartum Advice

Nostalgic postpartum advice is certainly permissible, though it’s not always beneficial or edifying (1 Cor. 10:23). But when we take care to know a mother’s world before speaking to it, we can help her feel seen and understood. We can better encourage and build her up in Christ—whether she’s enjoying the season or not (1 Thess. 5:11).

3 months ago

Depression in Motherhood: These Go to 11 Podcast

4 months ago

God’s Grace for Mom’s Unmerry Holiday

While the reasons for these seasonal struggles will vary from family to family, the need to depend on God’s sustaining grace remains the same. Thankfully, he doesn’t begrudge your neediness but welcomes it wholeheartedly! God knows that holidays can be hard days—that you can only endure them if he daily bears you up. Here are three specific ways that God ministers his grace to you during your unmerry holiday.

6 months ago

Gospel Rest for Downcast Moms: 2024 CCEF Conference Audio

Audio recordings from the 2024 CCEF National Conference are now available for purchase! Get access to my session, "Mercy in Darkness: Gospel Rest for Downcast Moms," and explore the care and compassion of Christ for mothers who are walking through depression.

7 months ago

Postpartum Depression: The Soul Care Podcast

In this episode, we explore the challenges of postpartum motherhood, and the need for grace and understanding in the face of struggles. We also emphasize the significance of acknowledging both physical and spiritual aspects of mental health, the impact of societal expectations, and the necessity of lamenting and grieving.

7 months ago

A Dios no le sorprende tu depresión posparto

Cuando te sientas invadida por el dolor de la maternidad, es bueno recordar que Dios te ve y te rodea. Hay recordatorios muy necesarios sobre esta realidad en el Salmo 139. Mientras el escritor se maravilla ante la omnisciencia y omnipresencia de Dios, podemos ver por lo menos tres aplicaciones relevantes a la experiencia de la depresión posparto.

8 months ago

God is Not Surprised by Your Postpartum Depression

When you feel overtaken by sorrow in motherhood, it’s good to remember that you are seen and surrounded by God. There are much-needed reminders about this reality in Psalm 139. As the writer marvels at God’s omniscience and omnipresence, at least three relevant applications to the experience of postpartum depression unfold.

8 months ago

4 maneras de ayudar a una mamá deprimida

Con un estimado de 800,000 madres en los EE. UU. diagnosticadas con un trastorno de salud mental materna cada año, y con una gran mayoría de ellas sin posibilidades de obtener ayuda profesional, el cuerpo de Cristo no puede quedarse de brazos cruzados. Incluso como laico, puedes ofrecer a una madre deprimida el cuidado necesario e irremplazable en Cristo.

10 months ago

3 palabras de ánimo para madres deprimidas

Si le preguntara a una madre que lucha contra la depresión: "¿Cuánto tiempo más te sentirás tan mal?", su respuesta probablemente no sería “Sólo una o dos horas más. ¡Ya casi termino!” La depresión no funciona de esa manera. Los estados de ánimo melancólicos no suelen desaparecer. Las soluciones rápidas tienden a quedarse cortas cuando el dolor nos quita las fuerzas; los clichés bien intencionados generalmente tampoco dan en el blanco (Prov. 17:22; 25:20). Y cuando las supuestas palabras de ánimo empiezan a oírse más como regaños pasivos, puede parecer que nadie tiene nada útil que decir, como si tuviéramos que valernos por nosotros mismos en esta oscuridad.

11 months ago

His Mercies Are More: Haven Today Broadcasts

Laundry. Meals. Crying children. Motherhood is busy. But if dark clouds of depression roll in, the weight can start to feel unbearable. Where do you turn? All week on Haven Today, David Wollen will be joined by author and mother, Christine Chappell, for a series called His Mercies are More.

12 months ago

Depression and Motherhood: Parenting with Ginger Hubbard

"Are you a mom struggling with feelings of hopelessness and anxiety? Would you like biblical guidance and practical help for battling depression from someone who’s been there and understands? Join Ginger Hubbard and Katy Morgan, along with special guest Christine Chappell, as they discuss how we can abide in Christ and lean on him to sustain us through seasons of darkness."

1 year ago

Help When Depression Overwhelms You as a Mom: Counseling Conversations

Recently I had the chance to talk with Alex Kocher and Brenda Payne of Known Ministries for their podcast, Conversational Counseling.

1 year ago

Voices of Encouragement • Video Compilation

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, we hear closing remarks from Christine as well as encouraging words from a variety of respected authors, bible teachers, pastors, and experienced biblical counselors such as Brad Bigney, Cameron Cole, John Crotts, Iain Duguid, David & Krista Dunham, Zack Eswine, Gloria Furman, Alasdair Groves, Nancy Guthrie, Brad Hambrick, Marty Machowski, Esther Smith, Curtis Solomon, Paul Tautges, Steve Viars, Mark Vroegop, Ed Welch, Lauren Whitman, and Rush Witt.

1 year ago

Domestic Abuse with Joy Forrest

Joy recalls the depths of despair and hopelessness she felt while navigating an abusive marriage and shares how God mercifully met her in the midst of a traumatic event.

1 year ago

Prodigal Children with Camille Cates

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Camille reflects on the heartbreak of grieving over a wayward child and how God has mercifully met her in the midst of her sorrow.

1 year ago

Stillbirth with Jackie Gibson

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Jackie reflects on the stillbirth of her daughter and recounts how God mercifully met her in the midst of her grief.

1 year ago

Free Resources for Depressed Moms

This post contains articles, audios, videos, and downloads which were published during the launch of Midnight Mercies. All of these resources are free to access and available to freely share.

1 year ago

Child Illness & Miscarriage with Katie Faris

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Katie reflects on the fears surrounding her children's genetic illnesses along with the grief of miscarriage, and recalls how God mercifully met her in the midst of one of the most overwhelming seasons in her life as a mom.

1 year ago

Child Loss with Sharon Betters

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Sharon reflects on the sudden tragic loss of her son and recalls how God mercifully met her in the midst of depression and grief.

1 year ago

Chronic Illness with Vaneetha Risner

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Vaneetha reflects on her progressive journey through chronic illness and remembers how God has mercifully met her in the midst of her limitations in motherhood.

1 year ago

Mercy for Depressed Moms: How God Met Me in Crisis

Jesus wasn’t the one insisting that I pull myself out of the pit. He was the one calling me to take refuge in him as he walked me through the dark.

1 year ago

Postpartum Depression with Christina Fox

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Christina Fox reflects on her discouraging journey through postpartum depression and remembers how God mercifully met her in the midst of it.

1 year ago

Parenting Challenges with Sarah Walton

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Sarah reflects on her journey through traumatic parenting challenges and shares how God has mercifully met her in the midst of them.

1 year ago

Unexpected Divorce with Shannon McCoy

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Shannon reflects on her journey through depression in the wake of divorce and shares how God mercifully met her in the midst of it.

1 year ago

The Trial of Depression in Motherhood: His People Radio Interview

I recently had the opportunity to join Bill Feltner on his radio program, His People, to talk about the trial of depression in motherhood.

1 year ago

Miscarriage & Postpartum Depression with Abbey Wedgeworth

In this video recording from the 2023 Midnight Mercies Virtual Summit, Abbey Wedgeworth reflects on her painful journey through miscarriage and postpartum depression and shares how God mercifully met her in the midst of it.

1 year ago

4 Ways to Help a Depressed Mom

Surely somewhere in your close proximity, there’s a mother suffering from depression. As she attempts to beat back the darkness, you wonder how you can care for her. As featured at The Gospel Coalition.

2 years ago

When the Clock Strikes Midnight: 3 Encouragements for Depressed Moms

If you’re feeling desperate for encouragement as you walk through the darkness of depression, I’d like to pass along a few statements which ministered to me. The Spirit used each of these fitly spoken words to give me strength and insight on my journey. By God’s mercy and grace, I pray they will serve you just the same. As featured at Risen Motherhood.

2 years ago

Depression in Motherhood: Counsel for Life Interview

Christine offers compassion for mothers who are struggling with despair and sadness as she shares her own story and gives wisdom from Scripture for those who need encouragement and motivation to keep moving forward.

2 years ago

Special Preview: Introduction to Midnight Mercies

This post contains the full introduction of my new book, Midnight Mercies: Walking with God through Depression in Motherhood. As featured at the Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship.

2 years ago

BCC Blog: Why I Wrote Midnight Mercies

My intent is that any mother who knows what it’s like to groan, "I feel depressed" will find comfort and counsel in these pages. As featured at the Biblical Counseling Coalition.

2 years ago

Connecting Depressed Moms to Biblical Lament

When caring for a mother who is walking through depression, it’s unwise to overlook the sustaining grace God has for her through lament. As featured at the Biblical Counseling Coalition.

2 years ago

Cover Reveal for Midnight Mercies: Walking with God through Depression in Motherhood

Unveiling the cover design for Midnight Mercies and explaining why there's so much more to its design than meets the eye.

2 years ago

How Do I Talk to My Kids About Sorrow?

Forewarning our kids about the realities of sorrow can forearm them to face it by faith. Christ said these seasons would come, and that we would find comfort, hope, and peace by looking to him when they do.

5 years ago

Hope + Help for Identifying Abuse with Darby Strickland

In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, Christine Chappell interviews Darby Strickland about her book, Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims. During the conversation, Darby explains why domestic abuse is easy to miss and easier to minimize and shares why abuse merits the biblical label of "oppression." Darby also addresses question such as: • What damage does it do to label a situation as "abusive" when it isn't? • How can people helpers become more sensitive to identifying physical abuse, especially when victims are typically hesitant to ask for help? • How can we tell if what is taking place in the marriage bed qualifies as sexual abuse? • What do people helpers need to keep in mind when helping a victim bring their story to the attention of the local church? • What are some questions people helpers can use to better get to know the victim and to assess the emotional, spiritual, and physical damage they have sustained?

5 years ago

Talking About Depression in Motherhood • Live Radio Interview

I recently had the pleasure of being interviewed on "The Ride Home with John & Kathy" radio show on the topic of depression in motherhood.

5 years ago

Hope + Help for Discouraged Parents with Marty Machowski

In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, Christine Chappell interviews Marty Machowski about his book, Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged. During the conversation, Marty explains why parents sometimes feel isolated when walking through challenges involving their children, and offers practical insights on how to handle heated exchanges in the home. He also discusses the importance of keeping an eternal perspective when parenting trials come, comforts listeners with the reminder that God understands what they are going through, and exhorts discouraged parents to reflect on key gospel truths that can persevere them through seasons of heartbreak or disappointment.

5 years ago

8 Facebook Live Videos on Counseling & Christian Living

I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to host a number of helpful conversations via Facebook LIVE over the past three months on a variety of topics related to Christian living in general, as well as biblical counseling in particular. This post offers the collection of previously recorded Facebook LIVE conversations in one spot, where you can watch the replays! Scroll below to view the guest names and topics addressed.

5 years ago

Comforting Our Kids Through Hard Times • Women Encouraged Podcast

In today's episode, Christine M. Chappell joins Bethany for a conversation about how to give our kids true, biblical comfort when they’re hurting. This isn’t about empty platitudes or band-aid fixes, but rather acknowledging our children’s suffering while pointing them to the trustworthy and eternal promises of God. Christine and Bethany discuss how we should respond to our children in these situations, and take a look at the comfort God’s word offers.

5 years ago

Hope + Help for Storms in Marriage with Jeff & Sarah Walton

In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, Christine Chappell interviews authors Jeff & Sarah Walton about their book, Together Through the Storms: Biblical Encouragements for Your Marriage When Life Hurts. During the conversation, Jeff shares biblical truths that sustained him during sudden job loss, as well as practical wisdom for men striving to be leaders of their home in the midst of future uncertainties. Sarah reflects on the walking through periods of hopelessness, living with chronic illness, and the grief that comes when life doesn't look like we expected. Together, Jeff and Sarah offer gospel hope for marriages strained by circumstantial difficulties, showing couples how to cling to Jesus—and to each other—through the storms.

5 years ago

Hope + Help for Pregnancy with Gloria Furman

In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, Christine Chappell interviews Gloria Furman about her book, Labor with Hope: Gospel Meditations on Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Motherhood. During the conversation, Gloria helps women see topics such as pregnancy, infertility, miscarriage, birth pain, and new life in the framework of the larger biblical narrative, infusing cosmic meaning into their personal experience by exploring how they point to eternal realities. She also reflects upon the forgiveness and mercy Christ offers post-abortive women, shares biblical comforts to pregnant women who are fearful about their impending labor, and highlights the importance of spiritual mothering as a high calling for those who do not have flesh-and-blood children of their own.

5 years ago

Hope + Help LIVE for Parents of Depressed & Anxious Teens

In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, we’re premiering Hope + Help LIVE, a periodic segment of the podcast that features unscripted, live recorded interviews previously broadcasted on Facebook. This conversation features authors Jessica Thompson and Joel Fitzpatrick. During the live chat, we talk about the various ways our respective households are navigating the coronavirus pandemic, and offer encouragements to parents of depressed and anxious teens who may be struggling to care for their child in today’s quarantine contexts.

5 years ago

How Is God Working in My Teen’s Depression?

If you’ve found yourself caring for a depressed teen, maybe you’re wondering what God is up to in the midst of this heartbreaking time. While we cannot know all the ways that God intends to work in your teen’s despondency, the Scriptures do tell us what his goal is for you in this season.

5 years ago

Discipling Our Children in Their Suffering

It’s disorienting when a child is suffering. Our parental instinct is to come to our children’s rescue and “make it better.” But life lived in a fallen world means that we cannot always protect our children from disease and death. Money and medicine has its limitations. The truth is that our children are not immune to experiencing the effects of the curse on this world, which means they will look to those charged with their care for comfort, hope, and help when suffering strikes.

5 years ago

Talking About Coronavirus with Your Kids • Live Radio Interview

I had the pleasure of being interviewed on The Ride Home with John & Kathy radio show regarding how parents and caregivers can approach responding to the threat of coronavirus in their communities.

5 years ago

Hope + Help for Family Worship with Don Whitney

In this episode of The Hope + Help Project, Christine Chappell interviews Don Whitney about his book, "Family Worship," exploring why it's important, how to deal with common stumbling blocks that arise, and practical wisdom for busy families who want to develop a regular (yet doable) routine in the home. During the conversation, Don shares scriptural support for the practice of family worship and explores reasons why today's families may struggle to make it a priority in their daily lives. He debunks the notion that large amount of prep time is involved and offers three areas of focus for leaders who desire to become intentional in cultivating a routine. Don also encourages listeners not to have unrealistic expectations about the time spent together, but to embrace the reality that chaotic families will have chaotic family worship—and that's okay!

5 years ago