It was fearfully and wonderfully constructed. This is how our Father created us.
However, this is not always the case as our worlds become broken, through spiritual struggles and shattered views of ourselves.
That’s why sophomore Emily Cornelson views her job and her major as an act of service in and of itself.
As executive director of the student mental health organization PAX and as a psychology student, Cornelson is familiar with the mental health needs on campus. Cornelson, who helps organize advocacy opportunities such as the Walk for Life suicide awareness event and the recent Voices of Resilience Night, brings students’ struggles to light. I am aware of the importance of this.
“We believe that God and Jesus see people, give them unique worth, and… love them no matter what differences or difficulties they may have and that everyone can have a purpose. …I think the idea of supporting and helping people with neurodevelopmental disabilities is a really big thing.” That’s how we do service. ”
Cornelson also said the support process is just that: a process.
It takes time to reconcile and restore our spiritual relationships not only with ourselves, but with God, others, and even creation itself. But she also believes there is light at the end of the tunnel.
In psychological terms, the word is “neuroplasticity.” The idea is that the brain can bounce back from trauma and negative or unwanted behavior.
“I think it’s a very powerful thing that psychology can bring about healing and salvation, because obviously the brain can make changes in those pathways,” Cornelson said. he said. “Our brains are literally designed for healing interventions, and without psychology we wouldn’t even know it.”
For junior Meredith Craddock, these small hints of grace are a reminder that faith and psychology are not mutually exclusive.
Rather, they are almost complementary, each revealing more about the other.
“that [psychology] This shows us that the path forward, the healthy path, is consistent with God’s plan for us as found in the Bible,” Craddock said. “And I think that’s so beautiful. The idea that truth is God’s truth and that is…”. . [psychology] It matches. ”
As important as understanding this truth is, it is equally necessary to embrace the design of understanding. After all, God promises to work all things for the good of those who love him, so not every diagnosis or struggle is without purpose.
This is a truth that junior Grace Timm had to learn during her college career. Tim is majoring in Biology and is involved in the student club SEND. This is an acronym for Students for Education on Neurodiversity.
As Vice Chairman of SEND, Tim is heavily involved in organizing events and collaborations such as the joint PAX and SEND scavenger hunt earlier this year. However, being part of the organization also allowed Tim to reflect on his relationship with himself and the role that psychology plays in ministry and relationships.
“SEND exists to advocate for these things and make people empathize with them, but we also exist to help people know and love themselves as they are. This is a different world, but I We can see the world in a different way,” Tim said. “Even though I’m struggling…I wouldn’t change it.
For Tim, ignoring the benefits of neurodiverse thinking is ignoring part of who God designed you to be. Of course, from her perspective, medication, prayer, and therapy are still encouraged.
But to ignore the broader creativity that people with depression tend to have, or the empathy that people with anxiety show, is to ignore a unique part of God’s salvation for a fallen world.
After all, we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Why shouldn’t our relationship to self, or the empathy we give to others, be informed by the divine truth of salvation and creation?
