In seasons of anxiety, exhaustion, or quiet discouragement, you are not left to yourself. Christ calls the weary to Himself and gives rest that endures.
Strong in the A Women's Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health offers a careful, Scripture-centered approach to understanding mental and emotional struggles in light of God's Word. Written by Dr. Jennifer K. Londgren-a licensed marriage and family therapist, nationally certified counselor, and professor with expertise in anxiety, addiction, and women's mental health-this eight-week study thoughtfully brings together clinical insight and Lutheran theology.
Addressing experiences such as anxiety, rumination, emotional overload, and relational strain, this study does not separate mental health from the life of faith. Instead, it returns again and again to Christ's promises-given in the Gospel and in Baptism-where identity, comfort, and hope are certain. Each session includes Scripture, guided teaching, reflection questions, and prayer, making it well suited for both personal study and group conversation.
What You'll
A biblically grounded understanding of mental and emotional healthClarity in distinguishing thoughts, feelings, and identity in light of ChristPractical tools for facing anxiety and overwhelm shaped by ScriptureInsight into patterns, root struggles, and wise boundariesEncouragement to live honestly within the Body of ChristConfidence that your worth rests in Christ's work, not your ownRooted in Scripture and faithful to the Lutheran Confessions, Strong in the Lord speaks candidly about suffering while bearing witness to the sure and steady comfort found in Christ alone.
Here, in God's Word and promises, find reprieve in Strong in the Lord.
I purchased Strong in the Lord A Women’s Bible Study on Faith and Mental Health by Jennifer K. Londgren after my friend Jodi told me she was purchasing it. I’m so glad I decided to do the study "along" with her so we can discuss on the phone, living 1000 miles away from each other is hard!
This is an eight-week Bible study, although Week 8 is more of an overview, so the study itself feels more like seven weeks of material. I found it to be an easy and an approachable read, which I appreciated. Some of the reminders throughout the study may seem basic, but they are also incredibly important truths that we so easily forget or overlook in our everyday lives.
One of the things that stood out to me was the reminder of how important rest is, and how difficult it can be for us to actually allow ourselves to rest without feeling guilty. Londgren writes about how restorative activities help us reset and rest, while acknowledging that even something as simple as taking a nap can sometimes feel selfish or like a waste of time. That really resonated with me. We know we need rest, but actually giving ourselves permission to rest can be a completely different story.
I also appreciated how the study acknowledges that faith does not mean we will never experience fear, sadness, doubt, or emotional pain. One passage that stood out to me was: “The Bible does not minimize emotional pain, and the Psalms in particular show us how to bring fear, sadness, and doubt honestly before God.” I found this to be such an important reminder. We don't have to hide our difficult emotions from God or pretend that everything is okay. We can bring our honest feelings to Him.
Another question that really made me stop and think was: “How can we renew our minds when we are constantly overloading them? How can we guard our hearts and dwell on things that are in alignment with the fruit of the Spirit instead of upsetting, traumatizing, or pointless things?” In a world where we are constantly consuming information, news, social media, and other people's emotions, I found this especially relevant. I recently read a stat (not from this book) we consume more information in one day than our grandparents did in an entire month. No wonder we are overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, and all the other feelings we have each day.
Overall, I enjoyed Strong in the Lord because it is simple, practical, and filled with reminders that are easy to understand but important to put into practice. I appreciated the way Londgren connects Scripture, faith, emotional well-being, and the everyday struggles women face. It encouraged me to think about how I care for my mind and heart, how I respond to difficult emotions, and whether I am truly allowing God to be part of those areas of my life.
I would recommend this Bible study to women who are looking for something that is not overly complicated or time-consuming, but still provides meaningful opportunities for reflection and conversation with God. Sometimes we don't need to learn something completely new we simply need to be reminded of the truths we already know and be encouraged to actually live them out.
Biblically-sound mental health resources are a God-send in this day and age. Readers will be grateful that Dr. Londgren has so eloquently captured and distilled what women need to hear in this 8-week Bible study focusing on various facets of mental health and wellness. The writing feels like a gentle conversation with a friend who also happens to be knowledgeable about Scripture and the impact of mental health issues on women from both a personal and professional perspective.
The study is challenging and personal as each week, the reader delves into topics such as her own level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, root issues of mental health problems, and exploring the impact of various coping strategies, to name a few. Through it all, the reader is encouraged to continually renew her mind with God’s Word, actively cultivate a Christian community, and engage in a vibrant prayer life. None of this is prescribed legalistically and each topic is approached with much grace. The benefits of Biblical truth for improved mental health and overall well-being are emphasized again and again in ways that pertain to the topic of each chapter and that nudge the reader to take a small step forward in incorporating these life-giving habits into her own life, no matter what season she’s in.
I appreciated the applicable Scripture references throughout the entire study as well as the plethora of discussion and personal reflection questions that accompany the readings. I cannot emphasize enough how this study would be such a source of encouragement to complete with a group of Christian women! It gently allows readers to be as vulnerable as desired in a safe Christian community and continuously points to Christ as the true anchor and source of strength in this world. I have no doubt that readers would foster deep connections to their fellow study participants after working through this book together.
I would highly recommend this Bible study and I hope that I am able to complete this study with other like-minded Christian women at my mom’s Bible study soon!
I would like to thank CPH for my advance review copy of this study.
I very much enjoyed reading this Bible study and can’t wait to work through it again with a group of ladies from my church later this year. One of the things I appreciated most was how well balanced it was. Each chapter combines biblical truth, relatable personal stories, and meaningful opportunities to study Scripture for yourself. The reflection questions are especially well written and encourage honest self-examination. I was also impressed by how the study continued to build from chapter to chapter. I found each one more impactful than the last, and the final chapters were especially powerful. By the end, I felt like everything came together in a meaningful and encouraging way. This study helped me better recognize some of the emotional triggers in my own life and, more importantly, pointed me to practical, biblical ways to respond to them. I walked away with a stronger understanding of myself, a greater appreciation for God’s Word, and practical tools I can apply in everyday life. I would highly recommend this Bible study to individuals or small groups who want to grow in their faith, better understand their emotions through a biblical lens, and be encouraged by both Scripture and practical application.
This book is a wonderful resource for connecting mental health with Christianity. Christian mental health resources seem to be limited so it is refreshing to have these two topics be beautifully intertwined into one conversation. This is a resource that is so needed and incredibly important.
Dr. Londgren does a wonderful job of making this an "easy" and enjoyable read with her writing style. It reads as almost a conversation as it guides you through a thought process on different topics in each chapter. Her willingness to share her own personal stories and examples from her own life make it relatable and easier to grasp concepts.
I greatly appreciate that each chapter/week includes various Bible verses throughout the paragraphs. The book consistently points you back to Christ and directs you to dive into His Word.
The discussion questions will be a great tool for working with a group and connecting with fellow Christians. With that said, it is also a great tool for an individual reader doing the study on their own. It really encourages diving deeper into the material and making connections with one's own life. It helps one see what tangible things they can personally do to positively assist their own mental health with Christ at the center.
I loved this study! Jenna brought her "doctor brain" to the table with really thoughtful insights, and her personality made me feel like I was chatting with a friend. She is so open about her own experiences, which really helped me reflect on my own life and how I show up in my Christian community.
It gets deep into the Bible with real, practical ways to get involved and build relationships based on whatever capacity you actually have right now. She highlights how guarding our hearts with good and wholesome thoughts naturally leaks out into how we love others.
This study is encouraging, practical, and relatable.
"You are not alone." But when you are struggling with mental health and hard things, it feels that way. Step into a conversation with Dr. Jennifer K. Londgren as she walks you through ways to process your journey using Scripture, journal prompts, and discussion questions -- which would be extremely valuable in a trusted group setting. I highly recommend this Bible study for Christian women who need reassurance, care, and resources as they travel through a difficult time or are walking alongside someone who is.
Jennifer has done such an incredible job of taking valuable takeaways from her learning as a mental health professional and met it with Scripture. So often, if you want a "therapy" style study finding sound doctrine is hard, yet Jennifer created just that! Each chapter builds on each other and brings valuable nuggets while always leading you to the true Truth found in Christ Jesus. This is a great study for anyone who wants to support their mental health while keeping Jesus at the center.