Okay, so I’ve been diving into this whole “psychology from a Christian worldview” thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a journey! I wanted to share what I’ve been up to, kinda like a diary of my learning process.
First Steps: Finding Resources
I started by, well, Googling. I typed in stuff like “Christian psychology resources” and “psychology Christian perspective.” I found some websites and a few books mentioned, but it was kinda overwhelming. There’s a lot of stuff out there, and I wasn’t sure where to even begin.
Then, I remembered a friend from church who’s a counselor. I texted her, asking for recommendations. She pointed me to a couple of books that she said were really helpful – one was a general intro to psychology, and the other was specifically about integrating faith and psychology.
Digging In: Reading and Reflecting
I started with the general psychology textbook. It was dense! Lots of terms and theories I’d never heard of. I took it slow, reading a chapter or two at a time, and taking notes. I used a highlighter like crazy, marking up anything that seemed important or confusing.
After each chapter, I’d spend some time just thinking about it. How did this stuff relate to my faith? Did it challenge anything I believed? Did it offer any new insights into how people work?
The Integration Part: Making Connections
Once I had a basic grasp of some psychology concepts, I started reading the book on integrating faith and psychology. This was where things got really interesting. It helped me see how things like sin, grace, and redemption could be understood in light of psychological principles.
For example, the book talked about how our early childhood experiences can shape our attachment styles, and how those styles can affect our relationships later in life. It then connected this to the idea of God as a loving Father, and how our relationship with Him can help us heal from past wounds and form healthier attachments.
Putting it into Practice (Sort Of)
- Listening Better: I’ve been trying to be a better listener, both to my friends and family, and to God. I’m trying to pay attention not just to what people are saying, but also to how they’re saying it, and what their body language is telling me.
- Self-Reflection: I’ve also started journaling more, trying to understand my own thoughts and feelings. Why do I react the way I do in certain situations? What are my triggers?
- Prayerful Consideration: and, praying about the things I was learning. I’d ask God to show me how these concepts applied to my own life, and to help me use them to love others better.
Still Learning…
I’m definitely still at the beginning of this journey. There’s so much more to learn! But I’m excited to keep exploring, and to see how God continues to use psychology to help me grow and understand myself and others better. It’s a fascinating process and have learned a lot so far.
