Deus Misereatur

  We know things aren’t right. Something is off kilter, but instead of correcting course, we feel we are either adrift and unable to become moored to the dock or are on a hamster wheel that just keeps going round and we can’t get off. That’s what makes Abigail Shrier’s new book, “Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up” such a valuable book. Full of critique and analysis, Shrier shows how we’ve over-therapeuticized our kids, and have given up our parental responsibilities to the professionals: “We parents have become so frantic, hypervigilant, and borderline obsessive about our kids’ mental health that we routinely allow all manner of mental health expert to evict us from the room” (xiv-xiv). This 320-page hardback also comes in Kindle and Audiobook formats for those who find them easier.   Since there are hundreds upon hundreds of reviews by readers available, I’ll simply make some quick observations. The work is long on critique and diagnosis, and short on remedy. Most of the

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. LORD, you are the One who builds the house, and watches over the city. We plant and water, but you are the one who gives the growth! Bless our congregation with fitting and fair growth that we would grow roots downward and bear fruit upward and that you would add to our number such as are being saved. And, Mighty God, we pray for your Church all around this marvelous globe, as well as Covenant Life Church, Crossover, Crossroad, and Dayspring Church. Preserve and protect your Church from scandal, sin, and suffering. Also, repair her breaches and breaks with the healing glue of the Holy Spirit, with the supremacy of the Gospel, and with all that accords with sound doctrine. / And, LORD, since we are so dependent on you for