Writing
A Delicate Dance: Writing About Mental Health
by Laura N. Farrar
"A depressed Christian?" I once overheard a man saying. "How can that be? They must not be saved!"
A statement could not be farther from the truth. Today, many born again believers secretly suffer with mental health disorders, and the related stigma that is often attached to such illnesses. Albeit, in recent years, as more speakers have become open about struggles with mental illness, the stigma is slowly weakening, but it is not gone yet.
Neither are quick-fix solutions that fall short of real help. We hear "quick cures" from the pulpit-- pray more, repent, be thankful--but while that can be helpful for a downcast emotion related to sinful actions, clinical depression will rarely respond to these spiritual practices alone. Can God heal? Absolutely! But usually He uses counselors, medication, and treatment to get us on the right track.
©March 2008, Spirit-Led Writer
Feed The Sheep
by Laura N. Farrar
Imagine a group of people who just pulled into their driveways after an eight-hour workday and a two-hour commute. Do they look weary? Maybe a little tired, stressed, and burdened?
If we look around, we'll see that the world is full of beaten, battered, anxious people. Having no hope can do that to a person. Even our churches are crowded with miserable, worried Christians. Can you picture living your entire life feeling that way? Wouldn't you want some hope?
©October 2007, FellowScript
My Extreme Makeover
by Laura N. Farrar
I couldn't talk. There was no way I could open my mouth. Instead, tears slipped down my cheeks silently.
Every week the same thing happened: I'd come to youth group and lean against the wall all by myself. "God, I'm so tired of being shy and alone!" I prayed. "Please help me!"
But for my freshman and sophomore years of high school, those prayers seemed to bounce off the ceiling. While everyone ignored me, I became more deeply depressed. Once more I cried out to God, "Please get me out of this endless hole. I want to live again!"
©2007 Encounter
Published Clips
Encounter: Communicating With God's Family, Get Real!
Encounter: Can You Cope In A Family Crisis?
Encounter
Laura enjoys writing personal experience articles, quizzes and fiction for teens from an adolescent perspective. Often writing about her own struggles and lessons, her voice is challenging and refreshing for young people. Encounter is a weekly church magazine geared to high school students that corresponds with a weekly Bible lesson.
Laura's published manuscripts for Encounter include:
"Rainbow" poem (January 22, 2006)
"Soul Sufficiency" poem (September 24, 2006)
"Extreme Makeover" My Story article (September 23, 2007)
"The Cover-Up Lie" article (January 6, 2008)
"Can You Cope In A Family Crisis?" quiz (May 18, 2008)
"Communicating With God's Family, Get Real!" article (May 25, 2008)
"Darkness To Dawn" article (August 24, 2008)
"The Heart of A Sister" article (September 7, 2008)
"Student Leadership 101" article (November 30, 2008)
"Just Like Ginni" article (March 22, 2009)
"Are You Honest to the Core?" quiz with Stephanie Farrar (August 2, 2009)
"Paralyzed By Panic" fiction (September 20, 2009)
"Tick Tock, How's Your Clock?" quiz with Stephanie Farrar (January 10, 2010)
