Author: Dave Dunham

He Despised the Shame on Our Behalf

He Despised the Shame on Our Behalf

Posted by | Mar 4, 2024 | |

Shame might be one of the most common human experiences. We feel shame for all sorts of reasons, but ultimately, it points to an internal belief that we are somehow and in some significant way not enough. We are different, unlike others, inadequate, and insufficient in comparison to them. The Bible uses a number of metaphors to capture the concept and experience of shame. By exploring shame through these metaphors, we can see how fully Christ deals with our shame. Continue Reading →

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Seeking God’s Kingdom in the Midst of Hoarding

Seeking God’s Kingdom in the Midst of Hoarding

Posted by | Aug 28, 2023 | |

Hoarding has become a major issue in American culture. We know this not simply from the number of reality shows that highlight the issue, but also from the governmental task forces set up to deal with the problems that arise from hoarding. Statistics vary, but some data suggests that 1 in every 20 people struggles with hoarding; upwards of 15 million people in the U.S. could be considered to have a hoarding problem. But what causes hoarding, and can biblical counseling help? While the Scriptures do not speak specifically to hoarding disorder, they do speak to fear-based consumption, and that provides us a great deal of help in treating hoarding. Continue Reading →

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Facing Our Consequences with Hope

Facing Our Consequences with Hope

Posted by | Apr 7, 2023 | |

The band Relient K wrote a song years ago about hating consequences and trying to avoid them. I can resonate with that song. Nobody likes consequences, and yet God has designed them to be a means of helping us repent, grow, and change. Facing our consequences is still hard, but there is hope. God’s continued care in our consequences makes it possible to have hope as we face them. Continue Reading →

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Thinking Carefully About “Identity in Christ”

Thinking Carefully About “Identity in Christ”

Posted by | Sep 7, 2022 | |

Many people come to counseling with “identity issues.” As biblical counselors, it is not uncommon for us to turn attention to a believer’s identity in Christ and encourage change through a greater recognition of this dynamic. “Identity in Christ” is, however, a problematic phrase. We need to make sure that we use it carefully. By exploring the concept through the lenses of its historical context, theological context, and therapeutic context, we can see both the trouble and the benefit of identity language. Continue Reading →

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Making God’s Voice Louder

Making God’s Voice Louder

Posted by | Apr 6, 2022 | |

To varying degrees, we all struggle with deceptive self-talk. We all have that inner dialogue with ourselves, tempting us to justify sin, believe falsehoods, self-condemn, or doubt God. Some, however, have an inner voice that is louder than everyone else, making it very difficult not to listen. God’s voice speaks to us, and His sheep hear His voice. For those who find it difficult to hear the Lord, we can do several key things to make God’s voice louder in our minds and hearts. Continue Reading →

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