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Hope merchants 3 Christian counselors talk faith and mental health ● Warning signs and tips to protect your teen ● MLK, mental health, and scripture

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SEPTEMBER 2026 VOLUME 21, NUMBER 4

PUBLISHER

MS Christian Living, Inc. EDITOR

Katie Ginn katie@mschristianliving.com ART/GRAPHIC DESIGN

Sandra Goff SALES

Teresa Howell CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Three Christian counselors — (clockwise from top left) J. Nelson, Kristin Odom, and Stephanie Smith-Jefferson — spoke with MCL Editor Katie Ginn at Kristin’s office at Central Care + Counseling in Ridgeland. They talked about the issues they see most, what helps their clients, and the difference between anxiety and everyday stress. See page 22.

columns 8 The Next Chapter What are you like when you’re waiting?

10 Living Truth MLK, mental health, and scripture

Brian Crawford, Shay Greenwood, Peggy Hampton, Rev. Erin Hicks, Laura Lee Leathers, Andy Miller IV, Ruth Ann Rigby, Dr. Shelia Spann, Amy Thornton, Jacqueline Williams COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

Joe Ellis Photography DISTRIBUTION ASSISTANTS

Linda Roberts, Jerri and Sammy Strickland, Rachel and Bob Whatley

12 Health & Wellness Mental health tips for first responder families

14 Redefining Retirement Wisdom and ‘numbering our days’

15 Advertiser Spotlight A reflection from Methodist Rehabilitation’s chaplain

16 Beyond the Bell When your soul needs a deep breath

18 Let’s Talk It Over What’s with tradition?

cover story 22 Hope merchants 3 Christian counselors talk faith and mental health

20 This Is My Story I wasn’t supposed to walk. But God!

38 The Doctor Is In Medicare now covering GLP-1 drugs for weight loss

from the field 30 Warning signs and tips for your teen’s mental health

40 What’s Going On 42nd WellsFest to benefit Shower Power

40 Church Calendar Church events, September 2026

Coming next month

in every issue

The Pastor Appreciation Issue: Challenges, blessings, and what encourages your pastor

6 21 42 42

Editor’s Letter The Roman Road to Salvation Quips & Quotes Advertiser Index

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@MSChristianMag

Mississippi Christian Living P.O. Box 1819 Madison, MS 39130

601.345.1091 mschristianliving.com Mississippi Christian Living is committed to encouraging individuals in their daily lives by presenting the faith stories of others and by providing information that will point every person, at every stage of life, to a deeper, authentic, personal, and life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. Views expressed in Mississippi Christian Living do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. Every effort has been made by the Mississippi Christian Living staff to ensure accuracy of the publication contents. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of all information nor the absence of errors and omissions; hence, no responsibility can be or is assumed. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2026 by MS Christian Living, Inc. Mississippi Christian Living is published monthly and is available for free at hightraffic locations throughout the tri-county area. Subscriptions are $29 a year. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Mississippi Christian Living, P.O. Box 1819, Madison, MS 39130.

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Are you struggling mentally? Don’t ‘just keep going’

Not the book I read for my “escape” after writing this column, but a good one nonetheless! See my “Oh My Word with Katie” ad on page 29 for details.

oday has been weird. My feelings have sort of held me hostage.

One thing about reading: If it’s a well-written story, it’ll absolutely provide a mental escape. Sometimes our minds need a vacation as That’s not the kind of day I planned to much as our bodies, and I plan to get away have. Today was supposed to be the headdown, super productive, stay-home workday into a good book this evening. I probably also need to pray — or rather, I needed. I had already circled the priority sit still with God and shut up, which is items on my to-do list. I even listened to a usually more effective. praise song and read some scripture first Maybe “pray and read a book” doesn’t thing this morning. sound like profound mental health advice, But for some reason, my brain got antsy though I do stand by it. But to be fair, I’m after that. not a professional counselor. You’ll find Before I even made breakfast, I felt a them in our Cover Story, as well as our sense of stress and anxiety from seemingly From the Field article. out of nowhere. So I played my “classical / For the Cover Story, I interviewed three instrumental” playlist on Spotify; tried not to Christian counselors — two of whom rush around too much while cooking; specialize in adolescents, and one with over decluttered after breakfast; took out the 40 years’ experience counseling families and trash, and brushed my teeth. Finally, feeling a little calmer, I came into individuals. In From the Field, other mental health professionals and my office and checked my emails. organizations provide warning signs and tips That’s when I saw a message saying our to help you protect your teen. pastor would be leading an Israel tour next Sometimes we don’t have the luxury of fall. I clicked the link, read the descriptions, caring for our mental health to the utmost. and imagined evenings around the table with our church’s “cool crowd,” relaxing after The world is broken, healthcare is expensive, and the devil is real. Plus, we can’t expect our a day’s explorations of the Holy Land. I told Stephen: It’s only $5,800 per person! journey with a crucified Savior to exclude I went back to work. The problem is, I had mental hardship. But that doesn’t mean help and hope are exactly one urgent task to complete, and I got it done too quickly. Then I saw another email. not available. Our crucified Savior rose from It was from Close Reads, a podcast I’ve been the dead, after all! God doesn’t expect us to “just keep going” anytime we feel mentally following ever since I myself became a unwell — and He will hold us accountable “literary” podcaster. The email said that in when we’ve “kept going” so long that our June 2027, Close Reads will host a retreat in neuroses start to hurt others. England. I might as well have canceled the If we’re to love the Lord with all our rest of my workday. OK, I’m exaggerating. But I definitely read heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37); and if He’s given us the spirit of a sound that entire email, checked out the mind (2 Timothy 1:7); it would seem that He unbearably charming destination (a 12thwants us to steward that mind as best century village in the Cotswolds!), and we can. looked up flights. Then I started asking Maybe you’re just feeling restless like me. ChatGPT about mine and Stephen’s top Or maybe a more serious circumstance or three European destinations. diagnosis has sunk its claws into you and I love my life, y’all. We do take vacations. won’t let go. Whatever it is, tell the Lord, tell We’re going to Charlotte this fall for a a trusted believer — and if you even think concert, and we will go to Europe, Lord you might need to tell a professional, please, willing. Possibly even next summer, or at do that too if at all possible. God loves you, least within the next five-ish years! But today, for whatever reason, I want an and the Body of Christ needs you. Y escape. Does this mean I read one too many travel-related emails … or that I actually need an escape? Yes. Katie Ginn I mentioned being a literary podcaster. katie@mschristianliving.com

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THE NEXT CHAPTER by SHAY GREENWOOD

What are you like when you’re waiting?

hat are you like when you are waiting for God to do something different in your life? So often when life isn’t going as planned, we want God to show up with answers quickly — and when He doesn’t, frustration creeps in and causes us to feel sad and hopeless.

WENDY MAXWELL LCSW

COUNSELOR

Women’s Issues ● Depression Anxiety ● Conﬂict Resolution wmaxwell@restorationcounselinggroup.com

601.832.7450 restorationcounselinggroup.com 8 SEPTEMBER 2026 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living

Are you waiting for things to happen that you have no control over? A job offer, healing from a chronic illness, financial relief, and the list goes on ... I wish I could say I knew how to be patient in the waiting. I want to know when, why, what, how — all right now. If I don’t have the solution right away, I try to take control and figure it out myself. I’m like that viral video from several years ago with the little girl trying to buckle her seatbelt, and her dad keeps asking, “Do you need help?” And she keeps saying, “Worry ’bout yoself.” Not realizing her Father can do it better. Lord, help me to want Your help first rather than thinking that what I can do compares! I’m nothing without You. I’ve wasted so much time trying to fix my circumstances. Googling or asking ChatGPT rather than first asking God specifically, directly, for the wisdom that He promises. Do I believe He will give me wisdom when I ask? Why do I doubt Him? James 1:5 (ESV) says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” I find myself getting caught up in solving my own problems — and then I remember, oh yeah, God can help me. I wish my default was to pray and ask God for His wisdom first. I love the reminder in Acts 1 where, after Jesus rose from the dead, He told His disciples to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father. Then Jesus ascended into heaven. The disciples stood there looking upward, watching Him disappear. Two angels appeared and basically asked, why are you standing here looking into heaven? Jesus had given them something to do: Return to Jerusalem and wait. What did they do while they waited? They devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 1:14). I want my default to be devoting myself to prayer when I’m waiting. While I wait, I also want to be grateful for what I have and focus on the beautiful things that ARE happening, rather than focusing on what I don’t have or what’s not happening. Last but not least, I want to bless others while I’m waiting. The best thing I can do is help someone else, or text or call someone to encourage them, and get my eyes off myself. It’s a new season of not being sad and hopeless when I can’t be in control. This is what I want to be like while I wait on God. God, I need Your power to help me! Y Shay Greenwood is a Certified Kingdom Life Coach who loves helping women live with more love, joy, and peace in their lives. She’s a wife to Roosevelt and mom to Bria (Cameron), 28; Chandler (Bo), 26; Noah, 24; Jacob, 23; and Adam, 13. You can find her @shaygreenwood on Facebook and Instagram, and @MommaJaywood on TikTok.

More than just your college, MC will become your home. Join us for an upcoming preview day and see for yourself. mc.edu/previewday

LIVING TRUTH by BRIAN CRAWFORD

MLK, mental health, and scripture

hen we hear the name Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., some might highlight his faithful commitment to the Civil Rights Movement. Others might mention his

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brilliance as an orator. However, few know that as a boy, Mike King (his father would later change his name to Martin), on two separate occasions, threw himself from the second-story window of his childhood bedroom. [1] King suffered from severe bouts of depression not just as a youth, but as a man leading one of the most significant movements in history. While some of his confidants felt that he should seek therapeutic care, King resisted because he was afraid his malady would be used to derail the cause. [2] King, sadly, knew us too well. Christians often wrongly believe that our leaders are superhuman, while scripture testifies to the opposite. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church about his “thorn in the flesh” that he pleaded with God on multiple occasions to remove (2 Corinthians 12). The prophet Elijah, after repeatedly demonstrating the power of God, was hunted by Queen Jezebel and faced a darkness of the soul so bleak that he prayed to God to take his life (1 Kings 19). The psalmist sings with tears and anguish, “Why are you downcast, oh my soul?” (Psalm 42). Mental health struggles run through the Christian story even today. Barna discovered in 2020 that nearly 60 percent of pastors experienced their own semblance of depression. [3] Proverbs labels this soul malady “a crushed spirit,” and wisdom tells us that when ignored, it surpasses even physical illness (Proverbs 18:14). So, we must not ignore it. Thankfully, scripture doesn’t ask us to. The Psalms demonstrate how to express not just the joys of our soul to God but also the burdens. So, bring your whole self in worship. When Elijah is praying to die, God meets him twice with presence, a meal, and a nap before giving him instruction and encouragement that he is not alone (1 Kings 19:4-18). So, don’t neglect self-care. Paul was given his share of burdens; he

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urges us not to bear ours alone but to lean on the community God has placed around us (Galatians 6:2). So, bear your burdens with one another. And the same book of wisdom that diagnoses the crushed spirit urges us to surround ourselves with good counsel (Proverbs 11:14). This could mean specialists for our cars (mechanics), our bodies (physicians), or even our minds (therapists). So, seek therapy when needed. All of this is to be done, not in lieu of prayer, but with full conﬁdence that God administers grace in various ways “to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18), with no way being more valuable than directly seeking His face. So, let us remove the stigmas and gladly embrace all the mercies that He offers. Y [1]

Eig, Jonathan. King: A Life. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2023

[2]

Ghaemi, Nassir. “Martin Luther King: Depressed and Creatively Maladjusted.” Psychology Today, 16 Jan. 2012, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/moodswings/201201/martin-luther-king-depressed-and-cre atively-maladjusted

[3]

Barna Group. “Pastors, Too, Grapple with Thoughts of Suicide, Self-Harm.” Barna Group, 12 Sept. 2024, www.barna.com/research/pastorsthoughts-suicide-self-harm/.

Brian Crawford serves as lead pastor of City Light Church in Vicksburg and president of Mission Mississippi, a statewide reconciliation ministry working across all 82 counties of the state. He and his wife, Candi, are passionate about building bridges across dividing lines through the power of the gospel.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS by RUTH ANN RIGBY, CRS

Mental health tips for first responder families

hen one person in your family serves, the whole family serves. I’ve been a Mississippi Highway Patrol State Trooper wife for nearly three decades. I know the fear when the phone rings, the silence in a truck after a bad call, watching someone you love carry things they can’t put down. If that’s you — you’re not imagining it, and you’re not alone in it. Galatians 6:2 says it plainly: “Carry each other’s burdens.” It’s why my husband Jody and I, along with some incredible people, started First Responders of Mississippi (FROM) in 2018. We needed something like this back when I was struggling with trauma, addiction, and all in between — and we knew we weren’t the only ones. Here are a few real ways to check in — on your ﬁrst responder and on you: • Ask better questions. “How was your shift?” gets you nothing. Try, “What was the hardest part of today?” Then be quiet and let them answer.

• Notice the quiet changes. Short temper, pulling away, trouble sleeping, drinking more than usual — these aren’t character flaws. They’re signs that the weight is piling up. If the silence turns into talk of not wanting to be here anymore, that’s not a wait-and-see. That’s a call for help, now. • Take care of you, too. You need your own person to talk to — a counselor, a friend, a pastor. That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom. • Protect your rest. One “phones put away” meal per week can be holy ground. I know this from the inside. When my world fell apart from horrific trauma, I turned to alcohol to numb the night terrors. My name is Ruth Ann, and I am an alcoholic. If I could find the help I needed, so can you. I’ve been sober 29 years. Dr. Richard Zumwalt, a neuropsychologist and former police officer, puts it simply: Recovery isn’t just removing what’s harmful — it’s retraining how you think. That’s hope, not just theory. This is why FROM exists — to help you,

First Responders of Mississippi

THE STRONGEST AMONG US STILL NEED SUPPORT. We’re here for you, your family, and your agency.

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your family, and your agency in your greatest time of need. In December is our Annual Holiday Networking Luncheon & Toy Drive. If you’re a first responder and need Toy Assistance, please apply. If you are a first responder’s family and need assistance, please apply and join us. Visit our website for more information and resources: firstrespondersofms.com. If your family is hurting, hear me: You do not have to carry this alone. If your family is hurting, please reach out to us, or if your situation is an emergency, dial 988 or go to the nearest emergency room. The ones who run toward danger for us deserve someone running toward them, too. Y Additional Resource: Thought Fitness: Thriving vs. Surviving by Dr. Richard Zumwalt, available wherever books are sold. Ruth Ann Rigby, CRS, is a Certified Recovery Specialist and Crisis Navigator with nearly 30 years of experience in behavioral health and addiction treatment.

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REDEFINING RETIREMENT by LAURA LEE LEATHERS

Wisdom and ‘numbering our days’

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ecisions. Choices. Preparing for the future.

I don’t know about you, but at this stage of my life, I believe I need wisdom more than ever. According to GotQuestions.org, “Godly wisdom starts with the fear of God and results in a holy life. … With godly wisdom, we trade earthly values for biblical values” (1 John 2:15-16). God appeared to a young King Solomon (1 Kings 3) and said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” (3:5b, NKJV). What would have been your answer? Solomon could have asked for riches or a long life. Instead, he asked for “an understanding heart” (v. 9). Pleased with his reply, God gave the king wisdom and understanding, along with riches and honor (v. 11-13). Years before Solomon, Moses wrote Psalm 90. In verse 10, Moses refers to 70 years as the days of our lives, or 80 “if by reason of strength.” Then comes his request: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (v. 12). The word “teach” means to perceive or understand (also see Psalm 39:4). As we journey to eternity, we use time to measure our days. It’s a nonrenewable resource — use it or lose it. Moses is asking God for the ability to live each day wisely. Regardless of age, we need to depend upon God’s wisdom, not man’s. The book of Proverbs is “wisdom” — “the ability to live life in complete submission to God’s direction and principles” (The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, page 739). From Proverbs, we learn the importance of fearing God and avoiding evil, which affects our spiritual and mental health. Take a moment to look at the subheadings in the ﬁrst nine chapters. There is the call of wisdom, the value, security found in wisdom, the excellence of wisdom, and the way of wisdom. And how do we obtain the wisdom of God? James 1:5 tells us to “ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Also, read one chapter of Proverbs daily. Journal how God transforms your thinking.

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At the top of my daily journal, I write Fear, Faith, and Flourish. I want to fear the Lord — gaining biblical wisdom; grow deeper in my relationship with Christ through faith and trust; and ﬂourish, meaning the joy of the Lord, laughter, and creating new memories. Fear, Faith, and Flourish are three words that guide me to live well. One additional thought: The human heart weighs slightly less than one pound. If wisdom could be weighed, I desire pounds, not just a few ounces. Why? Because aging is not for the faint of heart! Y Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over 65, living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitali-tea, and encourages, and helps others with the how-to’s of life. Visit LauraLeeLeathers.com.

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT

God With Us in the Deepest Dark

A reﬂection from Methodist Rehabilitation’s Chaplain

came to chaplaincy in the midst of COVID, partly because while it scared me I knew that was where God was leading me. In my years

serving as a chaplain, I have found people often reciting Psalm 23 when they find themselves at a loss for words. I still remember in seminary discovering a deeper meaning to this psalm, where in the beginning of verse 4, it can be translated: “When I walk through the deepest dark, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” For me, this is the heart of chaplaincy, journeying alongside individuals in the midst of their deepest dark, as a reminder of God’s presence with them. Life can surprise us, and sometimes we as a people of faith don’t always know what to do when our plans unravel, and our bodies don’t do what we expect or want them to do. The patients I’ve encountered over these past five years can sometimes come with questions, heartbreak, anger, grief, and weariness. I’ve witnessed patients experience a peace that does not make sense apart from God’s presence with them. I’ve witnessed both the grief of what was happening to their body alongside the joy of God being with them experienced at the same time. At times I’ve heard people say that they know they shouldn’t be afraid or anxious or questioning. I always look back to the Psalms, where we find the range of human emotions. Our emotions are not separate from our faith, but a way for us to pray when we do not always have words. When we release what we have been holding in, through tears or a smile or sheer exhaustion, God receives it as a prayer—our God Who has just been waiting on us to trust Him with our whole being. At Methodist Rehabilitation, I have the privilege of serving alongside patients and families as they work toward physical recovery, helping them find not only restored ability, but also hope along the way. I am honored to walk with people—or sometimes simply sit with them—in the midst of their deepest dark, trusting that God is at work even when we do not yet see it. For we do not serve a God Who is distant. Rather, we proclaim a God Who chose to be Emmanuel—God with us. A God Who came in flesh to show us how to live and to show us how much

Rev. Erin Hicks, Methodist Rehabilitation Chaplain God loves us. God is present in our deepest dark with us. God isn’t going anywhere. That’s why we can always trust Him and proclaim God to be our Good Shepherd, even when we walk through dark valleys. I am thankful to serve at a place whose mission is to restore ability and hope, and for the opportunity to be a witness to the Light Who entered the world, Whom the darkness could never extinguish. Praise be to God for His faithfulness at all times.

Learn more and support our mission at methodistrehab.org.

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BEYOND THE BELL by AMY THORNTON

When your soul needs a deep breath

fter spending 11 years in the classroom and the past 10 years as a high-school counselor, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside hundreds of students and families. My

husband, Matthew, and I have been married for 28 years and have raised three children of our own. Over the years, one thing has become impossible to ignore: Anxiety has steadily increased — not just in teenagers, but in their parents as well. Students worry about grades, friendships, sports, college admissions, and living up to expectations. Parents carry concerns about ﬁnances, work, marriage, raising children, aging parents, and the uncertainty of the future. As Christians, we sometimes believe we shouldn’t struggle with anxiety. Yet scripture paints a different picture. Some of God’s most faithful servants experienced fear, discouragement, and deep emotional distress. The difference was that they continually brought their struggles to the Lord. While anxiety can have physical, emotional, and medical causes that deserve

proper care, I believe our spiritual health profoundly affects how we respond to life’s burdens. Just as our bodies need nourishment and rest, our souls need them, too. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God.” Those words seem almost countercultural today. We have become experts at staying busy but beginners at being still. Scripture tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray and spend time with His Father before important decisions, after long days of ministry, and in moments of grief. If Jesus needed those quiet moments, perhaps we do too. Taking care of yourself is not selﬁsh — it is faithful stewardship. Rest, healthy relationships, exercise, time in God’s Word, and moments of quiet prayer are not luxuries; they are gifts from God that strengthen our minds and spirits. Sometimes caring for ourselves also means reaching out to a physician, counselor, or trusted pastor. Seeking help is not a sign of weak faith. Often, it is one of the ways God provides healing.

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Philippians 4 doesn’t promise a life without anxiety. Instead, it invites us to bring every worry to God through prayer, thanksgiving, and trust. The promise is not that every circumstance will change overnight, but that “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Perhaps today, before checking one more email or crossing off one more task, we should pause. Open God’s Word. Take a deep breath. Sit quietly in His presence. When our spirit is rooted in Christ, we discover that peace isn’t found in having control over every circumstance. It is found in knowing the One who is always in control. Y Amy Thornton is a wife of 28 years and a mother of three. She has earned a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Christian University and a Master’s of Education in School and Vocational Counseling. After graduate study and brief work in mental health, Amy taught elementary school for 11 years before becoming a school counselor. She is now in her sixth year as a counselor at Hartﬁeld Academy.

mschristianliving.com ❘ SEPTEMBER 2026 17

LET’S TALK IT OVER by ANDY MILLER IV

What’s with tradition?

ecently, there has been a noticeable trend in Gen Z men toward more traditional atmospheres for worship. Catholic, Orthodox, and more high-church Protestant denominations have reported an increase in attendance. To some, this reversion is irrational or silly, but to others, it is a breath of fresh air. I would attribute this rise to a combination of shallow theology preached by some evangelical churches, irreverence in worship and the sacraments, and liberalism that devalues men. Gen Z is the least religious generation in Christian history, yet Gen Z Christians are the most religiously involved. According to Pew research, from 1974 to 2012, there was a 30 percent decrease in weekly Catholic Mass attendance. Yet the rate of millennial and Gen Z attendance has surpassed even the baby boomer generation. Leadership Roundtable, a

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Catholic online resource, reported 18- to 29-year-olds to be the most engaged age group. This data pinpoints the attitude of dissatisfaction with the status quo that permeates Gen Z Christians. Imagine, for example, being a young man surrounded by high rates of loneliness, suicide, and pornography consumption, and low rates of marriage. The issue is that evangelicals tend to focus on the experience of getting saved more than growing in righteousness from the moment of salvation. Theological expression can help this problem. The Christian tradition has produced endless amounts of theology that helps us understand God’s role in our lives. Is the Holy Spirit transforming us, or will we remain dormant? The lack of theology correlates with a lack of sacramental reverence. When young men convert to Catholicism, many point to the Eucharist as something new and life-changing that they were missing out on. We need to address questions such as, “Why do we take communion?” and “What are we truly participating in?” I have mixed feelings about the trend toward traditionalism. I am glad that young men find fulfillment in their faith through the Catholic or the Eastern Orthodox church, but as a Protestant, I believe the true fulfillment of these Christian traditions can also come from various Protestant churches. I attend Madison Methodist Church (GMC), which incorporates liturgical elements into the services, and I visited Holy Trinity Anglican Church (ACNA) and found it more liturgical than some Catholic churches. Most recently, I visited Christ Lutheran Church (LCMS), was warmly welcomed by the pastor and congregation, and had a rich liturgical church experience. All this to say, evangelicals should take this opportunity to put young men in situations where they can encounter God through the means of grace. The draw toward tradition reveals the spiritual hunger that is within young people. What are we doing about that hunger for truth? We can never create the perfect church that meets all of a young man’s needs, but we can be faithful to Christ and let Him bring in His children. Y Andy Miller IV is from Ridgeland and is currently a student at Asbury University. He co-hosts The Praislandia Podcast on Spotify. You can find him on Substack at @Sm42007.

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For more information, email Katie Ginn at katie@mschristianliving.com mschristianliving.com ❘ SEPTEMBER 2026 19

THIS IS MY STORY by JACQUELINE WILLIAMS

I wasn’t supposed to walk. But God!

’m Jacqueline Williams, born January 1, 1968, with my feet turned backward because of a drug called Thalidomide. My mother was given the medication during pregnancy to help with severe morning sickness. She never knew it would change the course of my life forever. Doctors told my parents I would never live long or walk. But my parents refused to give up, and neither did God. At Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, doctors were able to turn my feet forward, but my journey was only beginning. My childhood was spent in hospitals more than on playgrounds. I underwent 24 major surgeries and transitioned from a scooter to a wheelchair, then braces and crutches. Because of my constant medical care, I didn’t attend public school like most children. Instead, I attended Crippled Children’s Hospital School, where children with severe birth defects lived and learned together while receiving treatment. The nurses became like family. They fed us, wheeled us to breakfast, and cared for us

daily. Although I missed out on many “normal” childhood experiences, that environment taught me strength, endurance, and compassion. Socially, life was difficult. I was often treated differently because of my appearance and physical limitations. I experienced rejection, abandonment, abuse, and manipulation. There were moments I questioned my worth and searched for love in unhealthy places, simply wanting to feel accepted. But even in my lowest moments, God never left me. Through every surgery, every painful recovery, and every emotional wound, He met me with strength and peace. When I felt overlooked, He reminded me that my life still had purpose. When doctors said I would never walk, God had the final word. By sixth grade, I underwent my final surgery. One year later, doctors released me from braces and crutches, and for the first time, I walked on my own. Today, at 57 years old, I still face physical

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challenges. I cannot bend my legs and must use my hands to lift myself from my bed or couch. Thalidomide also affected my heart. One valve required emergency surgery, and I still live with another murmur. Yet God continues to sustain me. What is God teaching me now? He is teaching me that weakness does not cancel purpose. Even in limitations, His power is made perfect. Every scar carries a testimony. Every struggle has drawn me closer to Him. I am not just a survivor — I am an overcomer. I wasn’t supposed to live. But I did. I wasn’t supposed to walk. But I do. And every step I take is proof that God still performs miracles. Y Jacqueline Williams is a devoted Watchman, intercessor, podcast host, and author with a passion for serving God and encouraging others through faith, prayer, and spiritual empowerment. She has been featured in CanvasRebel and Today’s Purpose Woman magazines. Her book, “Overcomer,” is available on Amazon.

If you aren’t sure whether you have a relationship with God or where you’ll go when you die, please don’t put this magazine down until you’ve read the following:

✝ THE PROBLEM For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23 For the wages of sin is death … – Romans 6:23a The natural result and consequence of our sin is eternal death, or hell (Revelation 20:15), separated from God. This is because God is completely perfect and holy (Matthew 5:48), and His justice demands that sin be punished (Proverbs 11:21).

✝ THE SOLUTION … but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:23b But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 Jesus Christ died in our place on the cross and took on the punishment for all our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). Then God raised Him from the dead (John 20)!

✝ HOW TO RECEIVE SALVATION If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9 Trust in what Jesus has done for you — His death for your sins and His resurrection — and trust Him as Lord.

✝ IS IT FOR ANYONE? For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. – Romans 10:13

✝ THE RESULTS Therefore being justiﬁed by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 5:1 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

✝ WHAT TO DO NEXT So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. – Romans 10:17 If you decided to trust in Jesus, grow in your faith by reading more of God’s Word in the Bible. We recommend the gospel of John (it comes just after Luke) as a good starting point — or Romans! Finding a church close to you that teaches faith in Christ is another important step. It’s crucial to spend time with other believers so we can encourage each other in our faith. If you have questions about anything on this page, please contact us at 601.896.1432, or send us a message on Facebook @MSChristianLiving, Instagram @mschristianmag or Twitter @MSChristLiving. mschristianliving.com ❘ SEPTEMBER 2026 21

COVER STORY by KATIE GINN ● PHOTOS BY JOE ELLIS PHOTOGRAPHY

MCL Editor Katie Ginn (far left) interviews licensed professional counselors (from left) Kristin Odom, Stephanie Smith-Jefferson, and J. Nelson, at Central Care + Counseling in Ridgeland, where Kristin serves as counseling director.

Hope merchants 3 counselors talk faith and mental health 22 SEPTEMBER 2026 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living

J. Nelson, LPC — Stillwaters Counseling, Ridgeland

• Recently became a counselor after serving in youth ministry for many years • Teens, adults, premarital and marital counseling, grief counseling

Kristin Odom, LPC — Central Care + Counseling, Ridgeland • In the mental health ﬁeld since 2005 • Kids 15 and up, adults, couples

MCL Editor Katie Eubanks recently sat down with three licensed professional counselors (LPCs) who love Jesus and strive to help people live by His design through mental health. J. Nelson and Kristin Odom specialize in teens and young adults, and Stephanie Smith-Jefferson has over 40 years’ experience with families, children, and individuals. Regardless of the client’s age and stage, these counselors see their job as a calling to help people ﬁnd hope that is ultimately fulﬁlled in Christ.

Stephanie Smith-Jefferson, LPC Crossroads Counseling (Pearl and Ridgeland); Red River Counseling, Ridgeland • In the mental health ﬁeld for 40-plus years • Families, individuals, children mschristianliving.com ❘ SEPTEMBER 2026 23

“I saw the effects that a diagnosis could have on a family. I wanted to do more to help,” said Stephanie Smith-Jefferson (center) of how she started transitioning from genetic counseling to mental health counseling.

Katie Ginn: How did each of you get into the mental health field? J. Nelson: The issues (I saw in my years of youth ministry) changed. It went from, ‘Hey, my two sons aren’t getting along, would you talk with them?’ to, ‘(My child) is having some really dark thoughts.’ That caught my attention. I didn’t know what to do with it. So, well, if you’re going to work with teenagers, how can you be better at doing that? And (counseling) seemed like the natural next step. KG: Stephanie, you were a genetic counselor first, helping people assess their risk for inherited medical conditions. What made you transition into mental health counseling? Stephanie Smith-Jefferson: God. (laughs) My plans and His plans don’t always align, but He always wins. When you get a diagnosis, there is a question mark. I saw the effects that a diagnosis could have on a family. I wanted to do more to help. So I started a doctoral program in psychology at Jackson State (University), stopped that … (and) I was at the gym, working out with my trainer, and I fell and broke my arm. And God said, ‘I want you to do marriage and family therapy.’ And I had some friends who were going to do that, and I was like, ‘I wish you well. That’s not something I’m

interested in.’ However … while I was sitting at home, couldn’t do anything, He said again, ‘I want you to do this.’ And at this point, I thought, well, I don’t want to break another arm or anything else, so what do You want me to do? So I applied to the program at Reformed (Theological Seminary) and got in, but I thought, ‘Lord, I’m just not interested in people in their marriages!’ But I realized there were so many more things I could do … so I specialized in (a variety of) things. And so I actually love it.

KG: Does Central Care + Counseling operate any differently than a non-churchaffiliated counseling office? KO: No. We serve the general public. We don’t only serve our congregation; we don’t not serve our congregation. Church members are clients like anyone else. I will say, being associated with the church has brought a lot of church staff to seek counseling.

KG: Is there ever a conflict of interest? KG: Kristin, what about you? KO: All the time. I’m referring out (to Kristin Odom: I’ve known (I wanted to other counselors). The other two therapists be a counselor) for a long time. My mom is (at Central) do not go to our church. … If I an LPC. I did a lot of substance abuse (work), have your phone number, if I have done life I worked in and out of jails and drug courts with you outside of this counseling room, we … (Then) I took a few years off to have kids, will not enter into that (counseling raise them, and I was helping with the relationship). preschool ministry here (at First Ridgeland Church). KG: Stephanie, what was it that We were in a staff meeting one day … made you realize you could get and someone around the table said, ‘Hey, it’s excited about mental health really been on my heart to open a counseling, after God nudged counseling center.’ … No one really knew I you to make that transition? was from a counseling background. … I had SSJ: Just helping people in a time of crisis no intentions of getting back into or whatever they were going through. And counseling. that was happening in genetics (counseling) (But eventually) when somebody said, … So that transition for me was almost a ‘Hey, does anybody know an LPC?’ I was natural thing. like, ‘Oh, that’s me.’ When you’re getting a diagnosis, it’s going to have some effect on you … just the fact

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that there’s something wrong, there’s something different about me. (And) we’re getting deep into your family history. And we’re asking questions that you may not be ready to answer. So the same thing happens in a counseling session — reviewing information from you and digging around … collaborating together to try to ﬁnd an answer.

KG: J., I guess you have a similar boundary as Kristin — you don’t see clients if you’re also their youth minister? JN: Correct. … I have seen some people now from a church that I used to work at, depending on what the issue is. … since I’m no longer there. (Also) I tell people: If you see me at the grocery store, if you acknowledge me, I will say hello. If you don’t, and you’re with somebody, I will walk right past you ... (But) I see you, and I know you! But it’s your call whether you want someone to know this part of your story. KG: Kristin and J., for teens, and Stephanie, for adults, what’s the

biggest issue you see your clients struggling with? JN: If we’re talking about teens and we’re not talking about anxiety, there’s a likelihood that we’re missing something.

to him, and he routinely got home at 8, and he hadn’t even looked at whether there was homework. A lot of people would say that’s not good, but then you look at a lot of students, and that’s where they are. KO: (For teens) I would completely agree with J. (about) anxiety. I would also add selfvalue, worth, and identity. They don’t know who they are, they don’t know whose approval they’re trying to achieve, and every little experience — school, sports, church — is making them question, do I belong? Am I accepted?

“If we’re talking about teens and we’re not talking about anxiety, there’s a likelihood that we’re missing something,” said J. Nelson, who served as a youth minister for years before becoming a counselor.

I remember a student years ago … he started football at 6 a.m., went to school, went straight from that to a drama rehearsal, a lot of times his mom would bring dinner

SSJ: (For adults) there’s lots of depression, lots of anxiety ... I also do a lot of trauma work. And I do sex therapy. There are a lot of things … and a lot of times there are people who have unresolved things from their childhood, and now they’re married, and those issues come up.

KG: In other words, if they had seen someone like J. or Kristin when they were younger, they’d be much further along in their mental health?

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The number one thing that helps clients, Stephanie says: “(Letting) them know that you care, and (keeping) them from feeling like they can’t be helped.”

SSJ: Yes, much further along.

KG: What have y’all seen that works well for your clients? SSJ: More than anything … just to let them know that you care, and to keep them from feeling like they can’t be helped. KO: A phrase that I use a lot (with teens) is, ‘Secrets keep us sick.’ That can mean activities that you are engaging in that you feel like you would get in trouble for. Maybe you are cheating on your boyfriend. … Maybe you believe you’re ugly. Maybe you hate your parents. Whatever is eating at you secret-wise, it’s keeping you at a place of a repeated cycle ... Sometimes they build it up, like, ‘I don’t know what you’re going to think,’ and then they tell me, ‘I stole a piece of something from my friend,’ and I’ll be like, I thought we were talking about — JN: You murdered somebody. KO: Yeah, like you murdered someone (and) we need to call your parents. And that’s another thing … If you’re feeling

“A phrase that I use a lot (with teens) is, ‘Secrets keep us sick,’” Kristin says. “Whatever is eating at you secret-wise, it’s keeping you at a place of a repeated cycle.”

suicidal or homicidal or a threat to yourself or others, I have to tell your parents. I’ve had a couple (of teen clients) get real mad at me (for that and say) they’re never coming back … and the next week they’re back. JN: For me, the word that has been helpful for me is, be curious. There’s already been so much judgment for (teens), whether in their head or from their friends. (So) when they come to us, I try to say, I’m genuinely curious (instead of judging them). I heard a guy say, ‘I don’t particularly like talking to teenagers. They just won’t talk to you.’ And I was like, ‘Yeah, they will! You’ve just got to ask different questions.’

KG: How can people tell the difference between a ‘phase’ of stress or sadness, versus needing to see a counselor? For themselves or for their teen? KO: Look for a decrease in daily functioning. (That is) subjective to what their lives looked like before this episode .... Teenagers are moody and have mood swings, and it takes a little more time (to tell). But I think with adults, a decrease in

daily functioning and a decrease in social support (would) mean it’s time for the next step of care. (For teens or adults) there’s a difference between stress and anxiety. Stress is marked by a situation ending: I have a test coming up, I have a wedding coming up, I have an event coming up. … If that event occurs and I can breathe deeply … I have moved on. The thing with anxiety is, as soon as that event is over, I’m stressed about (everything else in my life). There’s never an ending point. SSJ: Think about, when have you experienced these feelings before? What were the circumstances? Was it similar, was it different? What did you do at that time, how did you get through it … or are you still in it? Did you have someone to help you? Did you go to therapy? Then also I’ll ask them to grade it. Zero is kind of out of sorts — maybe it’s the weather. All the way up to 5. Five is, I just don’t want to be here. So we examine what ‘here’ means. Does ‘here’ mean in this office, or ‘here’ in life? And what is it that you think you need to

We are here to provide the growth, healing, and support that you deserve. Request an appointment today! Kristin Odom, Counseling Director 116 North Central Ave. Ridgeland, MS counseling@firstridgeland.org

26 SEPTEMBER 2026 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living

“Be curious (instead of judgmental),” J. said of working with teens. “There’s already been so much judgment for (teens), whether in their head or from their friends.”

move from 2 back to 1.8? What do you need to feel just a little better? Do you have someone to help you with that? … (How) will you know when you’re at that point? Then you can use that to go to the next point. JN: I’ve got three teenagers at my house. So the piece I would add to what (Kristin and Stephanie) said is, (teens) need someone to hope. To say, I’m not trying to minimize (that) this season is tough. But there is hope.

“I’ll ask them to grade (their depression from 0 to 5),” Stephanie says of her clients. “And what is it that you think you need to move from 2 back to 1.8? What do you need to feel just a little better?”

For those of us in the room, we know there’s hope in the person and the work of Jesus. (And) I don’t think you’re going to hurt yourself by going to see a counselor. … I love going to the doctor. I get my checkup every year, (and) it’s great when he says, ‘You’re trending in the right direction.’ That doesn’t mean I don’t go the next year. There are moments when if people make a habit out of routine counseling … I’ll share a bit of my story. Things were ﬁne in my life. I was dealt a good hand. … And then, a few

years ago, my older brother ended up passing away. … So I was doing OK, until I wasn’t. And then you have somebody like a therapist or whoever it may be who’s got this baseline for you, and they can say, ‘OK, something has changed.’ Essentially, I was getting wellness checkups, and then all of a sudden, something changed. (Just) go. It’s not your job to know (all the clinical signs). Article continues on page 28

mschristianliving.com ❘ SEPTEMBER 2026 27

KG: For me, if I had never gone to counseling and wasn’t sure I needed it, I’d be afraid, ‘What if I’m wasting their time?’ KO: It’s worth a 50-minute session to say, do I need this or not? Because if you didn’t need it and you went, that’s better than if you needed it and didn’t go. You’re not wasting my time. I’m sure you’re not wasting (J.’s or Stephanie’s) time. (Agreement all around) KG: Do y’all have any success stories you can share (without client names), or things that have encouraged you? KO: I’ve spent probably ﬁve years with a (particular) client. (It was) tough, hard, heavy, and (I thought), are we ever going to get over this? And ﬁve years later, it’s better than I or the client could’ve ever imagined. (So) stick it out. … A lot of times it gets worse before it gets better. JN: When you see a lightbulb go on, I can’t have a bad day after that happens. … And when they’re like, ‘I’m not where I was.’ You’re so proud of them. I have a client who just kept showing up

28 SEPTEMBER 2026 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living

even when they didn’t want to. What they were working through seemed impossible to them. … It was like they walked up to a wall and looked up and couldn’t even see the top of it. And they haven’t gotten over it yet, but they’re still climbing. Some days it’s two steps up, and some days they come in and say, ‘I think I lost a few steps.’ But, they say, ‘I haven’t let go yet.’ SSJ: It’s encouraging when you get the feedback from clients about, ‘This really helped me.’ Something you’ve been talking about for months, and they ﬁnally decided, ‘I’m going to take that step.’ Every once in a while, I’ll see someone I haven’t seen in years. And they’ll come running up, and I’ll say, ‘Remember, old lady here, I’m going to break a bone.’ They’ll say, ‘You helped me with such and such.’ I saw (a former client) at a gas station the other day. I said, ‘Let’s put the nozzle down ﬁrst, and then we can speak.’ (laughs) We are hope merchants in some ways. But we do that with our clients. They think we do the work, but no, they’re the one that does the work. We’re here to walk with you and cheer you on.

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FROM THE FIELD

Warning signs and tips for your teen’s mental health

ccording to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)*, “nearly all indicators of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (among high-school students) worsened from 2013 to 2023. Speciﬁcally, there were increases in the percentage of students who experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, seriously considered attempting suicide, made a suicide plan, and attempted suicide.”

While the “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” decreased between 2021-23, the data are still trending in the wrong direction overall. No parent wants to think their child is struggling — because, ultimately, we know we’re powerless to “ﬁx” it. But God is able, and the risen Christ offers living hope for us and our families. God also gives us the grace of practical wisdom and resources that can help our teens. Following are some warning signs and tips to keep in mind, all from mental health professionals and organizations. *Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013-2023

30 SEPTEMBER 2026 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living

Compass Christian Counseling I love David’s description of parenting, “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth” (Ps. 127:4). But sometimes parenting can be like trying to aim an arrow in the middle of a hurricane. We don’t have complete control over where they land. One important “target” for children and adolescents is cultivating wisdom. Teaching kids, as they grow and mature, how to balance freedom with responsibility can help to instill wisdom. However, freedom can lead to irresponsibility and mistakes, resulting in failure, shame, and even emotional distress. These experiences can be distressing (for you and your kids!), but failure is the precursor to wisdom. Our job as parents is to provide unconditional love and a faithful presence as our kids learn from their mistakes and failures. In time, they self-aim as they learn to manage freedom with greater responsibility.

Cornerstone Counseling Most parents don’t miss the crisis because they weren’t paying attention. They miss it because teenagers rarely announce their pain — they show it. Watch for shifts in the ordinary: sleeping far more or far less, appetite changes, irritability that outlasts a bad day, slipping grades, or pulling away from friends and the things they once loved. Your teen isn’t hiding these signs to deceive you. They’re hiding because they’re afraid of disappointing you, of being a problem, of not being able to hold it together. The kids who look “fine” are often the ones quietly drowning. Start doing less fixing and more listening. Ask a real question: “You haven’t seemed like yourself lately — what’s going on?” Resist solving it in the first 60 seconds. Getting help isn’t proof that you’ve failed or that your teen is broken. It’s what courage looks like in a family that refuses to let anyone carry the weight alone. – Dr. Kristen Jones LPCS, NCC, BC-TMH The Counseling Center at RTS As the school year settles into its fast rhythm, teens often feel the pressure of academic demands, social expectations, and packed schedules. These stressors can impact their emotional well-being, and parents are often the first to notice when something feels “off.” Paying attention to subtle shifts can make a meaningful difference. Warning signs include withdrawal from friends or activities, sudden irritability or mood swings, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite, declining school performance, or comments that hint at hopelessness or feeling overwhelmed. Slowing down enough to notice these patterns is an important first step. One practical tip is to create small moments of calm in your home. Even a brief pause — five slow breaths, a quiet conversation, or a break from screens — can help teens regulate emotions and feel safe opening up. Ask gentle, open‑ended questions, and listen without rushing to fix. Teens often need presence more than solutions. Faith‑centered families may also find grounding in prayer or reflection, inviting God into moments of uncertainty and asking for wisdom in supporting their child. When concerns persist, professional support can be invaluable. The Counseling Center at RTS offers accessible care through trained graduate counselors who integrate biblical truth with evidence‑based mental health practices. While counseling is not always the first step, it can be a meaningful one when a teen needs additional support. Paying attention early — and responding with patience, connection, and care — can help your teen navigate the school year with resilience and hope.

When an intense emotion grabs the wheel, use ABCD to re-regulate. A: Acknowledge awareness of your feelings. B: Breathe and be with it. C: Check for the message beneath the emotion, with curiosity and compassion. D: Decide to respond with positive intention. The driver becomes your best self, leading you on a journey to joy.

Crossroads Counseling Psychologist Erik Erikson emphasized that teenagers face a constant conﬂict: identity versus role confusion. This conﬂict challenges fundamental questions like “Who am I?” and “What am I doing with my life?” Teens are constantly bombarded with unrealistic expectations of who they “should” be. This endless cycle of social comparison drains them physically, intellectually, and emotionally. This embattlement of comparison can cause serious dysfunctions. Professional counsel is warranted if any of these warning signs are present and persist for longer than two weeks: • Isolation: Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities. • Mood and sleep shifts: Persistent sadness, irritability, or drastic changes in sleep and eating. • Academic decline: A sharp drop in grades or a complete loss of effort in school. • Expressions of hopelessness or worthlessness. Proverbs 24:6 (KJV) reminds us, “By wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” – Darren Dickens, LPC-S

Downtown Counseling Associates As the school year begins, many teens carry more than backpacks into the classroom. They may carry pressure, anxiety, loneliness, and expectations that they don’t always know how to express. Sometimes stress looks like irritability instead of sadness, isolation instead of independence, or perfectionism instead of motivation. Behind every report card is a young person navigating friendships, expectations, challenges, and growth. Their emotional health deserves attention, too. If your teen seems different or simply “not themselves,” trust your instinct. Early conversations can make a lasting difference in Count It All Joy Counseling & Consulting Services your child’s emotional well-being. Sometimes healing starts with In the movie Inside Out, emotions crowd the console and feeling seen. One of the strongest protective factors for a teen’s sometimes take control. I love the symbolism. Irritability, numbness, poor concentration, and changes in sleep or appetite can mental health is having a trusted adult who listens without be warning signals that a teen’s system needs attention. I created the judgment. If you’re concerned, we’re here to help your family navigate the Journey to Joy Color Zones to help individuals notice whether they are “Good to Go,” “Nearing the Edge,” or “Outside Their Window” challenges of adolescence with compassion, evidence-based care, and hope. This school year, remember that we’re here for you. of tolerance. mschristianliving.com ❘ SEPTEMBER 2026 31

Harbor House: Behind the behavior by Dr. Avani K. Patel, MD, MHA

Adolescence is a season of profound growth — and profound vulnerability. As a board-certiﬁed psychiatrist specializing in lifestyle, integrative, and sports psychiatry, I often remind families that mental health is not simply about the absence of illness. It is about creating the conditions in which young people can develop, connect, and thrive. Parents should pay attention to the following: withdrawing from family or friends, declining academic performance, disrupted sleep, signiﬁcant changes in appetite or energy, irritability, loss of interest in activities, excessive social media use, or persistent feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, or hopelessness. When these changes persist or interfere with daily life, it is time to start a conversation and consider professional support. The pressures facing adolescents today — from social comparison and academic expectations to cyberbullying and the constant pursuit of belonging in the world of social media — can become overwhelming. Healthy boundaries around technology, sleep, movement, nutrition, meaningful relationships, and time away from screens are not luxuries — they are foundational components of mental health. When young people lack healthy

ways to cope with emotional pain, some may turn to substances, self-destructive behaviors, or other temporary escapes. Early recognition and compassionate intervention can help prevent these coping strategies from becoming lifelong patterns. This philosophy extends into my work at my private practice and at Harbor House, where I provide psychiatric care to adults recovering from addiction, many of whom have experienced trauma, homelessness, incarceration, or violence. Our personcentered approach recognizes that recovery requires more than treating a diagnosis; it requires compassion, trust, support, and a commitment to helping each person build a life worth living. Contact information: 601.509.2015; apatelmd@mspsychiatrywellness.com

Imagine Behavioral Health I often worry about teens and young adults in our area. Many are socially isolated and struggling with anxiety and depression. Unhealthy coping mechanisms are on the rise. At the same time, designer drugs — synthetic compounds developed to mimic the physiologic effects of other abused drugs — have never been easier to access. Teens can simply walk into a gas station or smoke shop and purchase products like Kratom, its concentrated form called 7-OH, Delta-8, Delta-9, and THCA ﬂower. Many of these substances are made in labs with inconsistent potency. 7-OH acts on the same brain receptors as opioids and can

Serving the community through sound doctrine and sincere love.

M A S T E R O F A R T S in COUNSELING

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OUR SERVICES Assessments ● IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) Individual Therapy ● Medication Management

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lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms similar to heroin. Mental and physical risks include anxiety, depression, dissociation, psychosis, heart and lung strain — and in the case of concentrated 7-OH, withdrawal that is indistinguishable from opioid rebound effects. If your teen is using these products, you may start seeing things like red, glassy eyes, avoidance, mood swings, sleep changes, appetite changes, poor school performance, or less interest in activities they used to enjoy. Parents might also notice unfamiliar packaging, vapes, gummies, or an increased need for money. If you catch your teen or suspect that they are using these products, don’t panic. Take a breath, then help them ﬁnd a professional they can trust. Early support can help steer them toward healthier choices before things escalate. A good therapist can help your teen understand what’s driving their use and give them healthier ways to handle what they’re feeling. – Austin Eubanks, LMSW

Lifeworks Counseling Teenagers are supposed to change. They pull away, test boundaries, feel things deeply, and sometimes seem like different people from one week to the next. So how do parents know when something is wrong? Start with connection, not correction. Pay attention to changes in sleep, friendships, grades, anger, anxiety, motivation, or isolation — and trust what you notice relationally. Does your teenager seem less like themselves? Are they harder to reach emotionally? Instead of immediately asking, “What’s wrong with you?” try curiosity: “I’ve noticed you haven’t

seemed like yourself lately. What’s life been like for you?” Then listen. Resist the urge to ﬁx, lecture, minimize, or immediately offer a Bible verse. Attachment grows when teenagers experience their parents as a safe place for difficult emotions. Faith can be part of that safety. Our kids don’t need us to have every answer. They need to know that when life gets messy, we’ll stay close, stay curious, and walk with them. – Roe Hunter, LPC

Mission Vigilant Pay attention to shifts in a teen’s emotional wellbeing. Changes such as withdrawing from friends, mood swings, disrupted sleep, slipping grades, or comments that hint at hopelessness can signal that a young person is struggling. These signs don’t always indicate a crisis, but they do suggest a need for support, connection, and open conversation. Our perspective is shaped by founder Susan Cleland’s loss of her son Michael — a veteran and devoted Christian — to suicide in 2019. Since then, Susan and her family have been helping others recognize mental health challenges earlier and respond with compassion. Susan also has written a book to support families navigating grief. Mission Vigilant offers faith‑centered encouragement and practical resources that remind families that hope and help are always within reach. Families are invited to the “Ruck 22/Buddy Check” event September 19 at Lake Caroline in Madison. Learn more at MissionVigilant.org. Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services: Teach your children how to deal with conflict by Ted Crawford, LMFT

Childhood and adolescence are like a social boot camp, minus the handshake and salute at the end. At no other time is the lack of tact and sensitivity in our peers as rampant. As parents, we are our children’s survival instructors. Neglecting this obligation sends them recklessly dancing into the mineﬁeld of interpersonal relations. Guiding kids can be tricky, as we can only pull from our own experience, which often fails to cross the generation gap. Discuss how expecting others to “act right” can be a setup for frustration and resentment, but that we can learn to control how we let others affect us. For instance, regarding bullies and people who are difficult to like or get along with: ● Discuss how people generally “spread what they have.” In other words, those who spread misery are probably miserable, and those who lash out have probably been wounded. Understanding a 34 SEPTEMBER 2026 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living

behavior doesn’t excuse it, but can help buffer the pain it causes. Ask if they would want to trade places with or actually be the person who’s harassing them. Almost always, the answer is a quick and clear “NO!” ● Assert that reporting another’s provocation or threat is sometimes a necessary part of protecting yourself. Conversely, “ratting” on someone is when, with ulterior motives, you report a behavior that doesn’t affect you. ● Teach kids to see provocations as “bait,” not to be bitten; that ignoring the antagonizer disrupts his or her goal and shows that you’re smart enough not to take the bait. With relationships in general, squash the belief that admitting mistakes shows weakness. Absurd! How much strength does it take to deny wrongdoing or blame others when you’re guilty? A toddler in a loaded diaper can do that. There’s no greater sign of courage and strength than the ability to humble down and own up. When humility steps into the ring, the ﬁght’s over before it begins. Also, real friends will trust and respect your kid for this. The most effective way to teach all of the above? Model it.

Red River Counseling As a parent, it’s hard to know if you are over- or under-reacting to your teen’s shifts or changes in moods. Is this just normal adolescence, or is this a sign of something more? Trust your intuition, but verify the merit of your anxiety and concern. It’s important that you stay as grounded and

balanced as possible when you begin to notice that something may be going on with your teen. We’ve always had a list of warning signs on our site and encourage you to reach out for guidance if you ﬁnd your teen is experiencing many of these. redrivercounseling.net/warning-signs

Stillwaters Counseling: Tips for your teen's mental health by Kelsey Dennis, LCSW

The teenage years can bring pressure, uncertainty, and big emotions. As parents, we can help our teens care for their mental health while reminding them that their identity and worth are rooted in God. 1. Encourage honest conversations. Let your teen know they can talk about difficult emotions without fear of judgment. Scripture reminds us to “be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). Sometimes, simply being heard can make a tremendous difference. Be slow to react. Be thoughtful about when and how you give advice or life lessons. We are there to help them grow in wisdom, but the more they feel heard, the more they share. 2. Teach them to bring their worries to God. Prayer does not mean ignoring problems. Encourage your teen to share their fears and struggles with God. Philippians 4:6-7

mschristianliving.com ❘ SEPTEMBER 2026 35

“You never get over losing a child, but with God’s help, it is possible to find purpose, hope, and joy beyond grief.” –SUSAN CLELAND

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reminds us to pray about everything and trust God’s peace. Model prayer with them by praying over them aloud. Hearing your heart for them makes them feel significance and safety in how you love them and how they can trust God’s love for them. 3. Help them care for their whole self. Sleep, nutritious food, physical activity, healthy relationships, and appropriate boundaries all support well-being. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Caring for ourselves matters. 4. Build community. Teens need supportive relationships with family, friends, mentors, and church members. Galatians 6:2 encourages us to “carry each other’s burdens.” Their friendships are so influential during these years. Be curious and get to know who they spend time. When possible, facilitate activities that foster healthy friendships. 5. Seek help when needed. Faith and professional mental healthcare can work together. If your teen is experiencing persistent sadness, anxiety, withdrawal, or thoughts of self-harm, seek help from a qualified mental health professional. Sometimes we think that the problems have to be really big or scary to seek help. Don’t hesitate to seek a consultation if you are unsure if your teen would benefit from counseling.

Summit Counseling: Mental health in teen athletes by Jennifer Heggie, LPC-S, NCC, BC-THM

Participating in sports can provide fun, ﬁtness, teamwork, friendships, and healthy competition; however, if your teen does not have healthy, realistic expectations for themselves, then this can lead to tying their self-worth to their athletic abilities and performance. Healthy selfesteem leads to increased conﬁdence in every aspect of a teen’s life. Unhealthy self-esteem can lead to stress, anxiety, and sometimes depression. Parents and coaches need to watch for an increase in agitation, skipping practice, lack of or loss of enthusiasm in the sport, putting themselves down after a setback, poor school performance, and expressing wanting to give up or quit sports. It’s important for parents and coaches to help teen athletes develop and foster healthy coping skills, encourage athletes after a setback, help them navigate stress — and most importantly, talk and listen to your teen.

Watershed Counseling Warning signs of poor digital hygiene for teens: secretive device use or online activity, doomscrolling, social media preoccupation, and irritability after use. Parental tips: no-phone zones in bedrooms nightly or during family time. Model healthy habits, consistently initiate conversations, share concerns as they arise, and trust but verify when concerned. Y

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mschristianliving.com ❘ SEPTEMBER 2026 37

THE DOCTOR IS IN by DR. SHELIA SPANN

Medicare now covering GLP-1 drugs for weight loss

n July 1, for the first time ever, Medicare began covering certain GLP-1 medications specifically for weight loss for eligible beneficiaries. The new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program will run through December 31, 2027. The program includes: ● Foundayo tablets ● Wegovy injection or tablet ● Zepbound (KwikPen only) The single-dose Zepbound pen and Zepbound vials are not covered. Approximately 42 percent of seniors 65 years or older are classified as obese. The Bridge Program will expand access to medications that were previously out of reach for many older Americans. There are more than 69 million Medicare beneficiaries, and several million are expected to access the drugs through the Bridge Program, said Chris Klomp, deputy administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Approximately 15-20

million older adults in Medicare are estimated to qualify for weight-loss drugs, according to pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Medicare Part D, or prescription drug plans, already covered some GLP-1s for conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but federal law has banned coverage solely for obesity. The Bridge Program sidesteps that law to cover the drug for obesity for more beneﬁciaries, including those who are overweight with conditions like prediabetes or uncontrolled hypertension. For eligible people, the program offers these medications for $50 per month, no matter your income level. This $50 payment doesn’t count toward your Medicare drug plan deductible or yearly out-of-pocket limit. These drugs are not eligible for the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.

To meet the criteria, one of the following must be true: ● You have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or higher. ● Your BMI is 30 or higher, and you have certain types of heart failure or high blood pressure that’s hard to control or chronic kidney disease (stage 3 or above). ● Your BMI is 27 or higher, and you have prediabetes, or you’ve had a heart attack, stroke, or blocked arteries in your legs or arms. BMI is a number your doctor calculates based on your height and weight. Ask your doctor what your BMI is if you don’t know.

How to apply: ● Make an appointment with your doctor or other healthcare provider to see if you qualify for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge for Weight Management. ● If you’re eligible, your provider must send a prescription for a covered GLP-1 drug to the pharmacy and, when requested, complete a prior authorization. Your provider must certify that you’re using the GLP-1 drug as part of a lifestyle program that focuses on diet and exercise. Your pharmacy may ask for your Medicare number or the last four digits of your Social Security number to help them process the prescription. Visit Medicare.gov or call 1.800.Medicare (1.800.633.4227) for more information about Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. Y

Dr. Shelia Spann, PharmD, CDCES, is a pharmacist, diabetes educator, licensed broker for Medicare and life insurance, and executive director of Diabetes Solutions and Wellness. The mission of the organization is to provide quality education in self-managing diabetes and health and life insurance needs. 38 SEPTEMBER 2026 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living

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WHAT’S GOING ON by PEGGY HAMPTON

42nd WellsFest to benefit Shower Power

hower Power, a nonprofit helping downtown Jackson’s unhoused population, is the beneficiary of the 42nd WellsFest Music Festival. The popular family-friendly event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, September 26, at the Mississippi Agriculture and Forestry Museum, at 1150 Lakeland Drive. The alcohol- and drug-free festival features nonstop music, children’s activities, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, a plant sale, and an online auction. Admission and parking are free. Wells United Methodist Church has presented WellsFest as an outreach ministry since 1984. Each year, the church selects a different local nonprofit social service agency to receive all net proceeds from WellsFest. Previous WellsFests have raised over $1.6 million for these ministries. This year, WellsFest will benefit Shower Power, a local nonprofit that serves the homeless.

“It’s an honor Wells Church chose us as this year’s WellsFest beneﬁciary,” said Shower Power Executive Director Nick Spradley. “The funds from the festival will help Shower Power continue providing free hygiene services, meals, shelter, clothing, and other essentials for folks experiencing homelessness across Jackson.” Spradley added, “Shower Power accepts ﬁnancial donations, hygiene items, clothing and food for our clients year-round. Our facility is at 836 South Commerce Street in Jackson. Reach us at 769-610-6296 or ShowerPower.ms@icloud.com.” WellsFest is a ministry of Wells United Methodist Church — located on Bailey

Avenue in Jackson — which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Rev. Dr. Lewis E. Logan II, senior pastor, said: “Our congregation views every WellsFest as our gift of love to the community. WellsFest brings together a broad spectrum of the community to share a joyful way of helping our disadvantaged brothers and sisters.” The church welcomes volunteers to help conduct the festival and direct donations to support Shower Power. Vendor spaces are still available. For more information, call Wells United Methodist Church at 601.353.0658 or visit wellsfest.org.

CHURCH CALENDAR CityHeart Church, Jackson UNITED Marriage Night is a special event designed to support and celebrate marriages! Join us at CityHeart on Friday, October 2, for a delicious dinner where you’ll hear from other couples and our pastors and gain biblical encouragement and direction for your marriage. Visit https://cityheart.info/unitedmarriage for more info and tickets.

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● Women’s Fall Event: October 18, 5-7 p.m. An evening of fun, food, fellowship, and testimony. Come connect, grow, and enjoy time together! highlandspca.org New Vision Fellowship, Brandon Discover New Vision Fellowship, a welcoming, Jesus-centered church in Brandon where people of all ages can grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, and ﬁnd encouragement for everyday life. Come experience authentic worship, practical biblical teaching, and a caring church family committed to loving God, serving others, and impacting our community together. We would love for you to join us. SUBMIT YOUR CHURCH’S EVENT Email katie@mschristianliving.com with a write-up of 50 words or fewer, at least two weeks before the ﬁrst of the month in which you want to promote your event. Please also send your church’s logo. Y

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“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”

“To answer before listening — that is folly and shame.” ~ PROVERBS 18:13, NIV

~ PSALM 46:10, KJV

C Spire..................................................................................3 Capital Ortho...............................................................39 Central Care + Counseling................................26 Compass Christian Counseling....................35 Cornerstone Counseling....................................34 Count It All Joy Counseling & Consulting Services .......................................37

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” ~ PSALM 42:5, KJV

~ MATTHEW 22:37, NLT

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” ~ PROVERBS 24:6, ESV

Downtown Counseling Associates............35 Fireplace Chimney Sweep Solutions .......10 First Responders of Mississippi ....................12 Golden Years Financial.........................................14 Harbor House Chemical Dependency Services .......................................37 Joe Ragland, author and attorney .............37

“Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.”

Kitchen Tune-Up.....................................................40

~ PROVERBS 11:14, NLT

Methodist Rehabilitation.....................................15

Lifeworks Counseling...........................................36 Madison-Ridgeland Academy.......................27 Mascagni Wealth Management ..................44 Michael Wolf for Judge........................................28 Miskelly Furniture ........................................................7

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” ~ JAMES 1:5, ESV

~ 2 TIMOTHY 1:7, KJV

“for by wise guidance you

Diabetes Solutions and Wellness Center.....................................................38

Imagine Behavioral Health...............................33

~ PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7, ESV

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’”

Crossroads Christian Counseling ...............28

Mission Vigilant .........................................................36 Mississippi Christian University.......................9 Morgan White Group.............................................39 The Orchard ..................................................................41 P360 Performance Sports..............................37 Pine Grove Behavioral Health & Addiction Services..............................................5 Prime Care Nursing.................................................14

“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” ~ PSALM 34:18, KJV

Red River Counseling...........................................28 Reformed Theological Seminary ................32 Ronald McDonald House Charities Mississippi ............................................10 Sarah Butler for Judge .........................................18 Sonny Fountain Golf Tournament

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” ~ GALATIANS 6:2, NLT

for Kids............................................................................17 Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company ............................................41 St. Dominic Health ................................................43 Stillwaters Counseling Group.........................25 Summit Counseling at First Baptist Jackson .........................................33

“They all met together and were constantly united in prayer.” ~ ACTS 1:14a, NLT

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” ~ PSALM 90:12, KJV

42 SEPTEMBER 2026 ❘ Mississippi Christian Living

TAG Kids’ Club .............................................................16 Two Mississippi Museums ...............................20 Wendy Maxwell, counselor ..................................8 Yazoo County Fair ....................................................13

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