Edward T. Welch (PhD, University of Utah) serves both the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) and Westminster Theological Seminary. At CCEF, he is director of counseling and academic dean, as well as a counselor and faculty member. At Westminster, he is professor of practical theology. He is the author of 3 P&R books and 6 booklets.

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1. When People Are Big and God Is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man

Overly concerned about what people think of you?

All experiences of the fear of man share at least one common feature: people are big. They have grown to idolatrous proportions in our lives. They control us. Since there is no room in our hearts to worship both God and people, whenever people are big, God is not. Therefore the first task in escaping the snare of the fear of man is to know that God is awesome and glorious, not other people.

Welch uncovers the spiritual dimension of people-pleasing and points the way through a true knowledge of God, ourselves, and others.

2. Blame It on the Brain?: Distinguishing Chemical Imbalances, Brain Disorders, and Disobedience

Depression. Attention deficit disorder. Alcoholism. Homosexuality.

Research suggests that more and more behaviors are caused by brain function or dysfunction. But is it ever legitimate to blame misbehavior on the brain? How can I know whether “My brain made me do it”?

Viewing brain problems through the lens of Scripture, Edward T. Welch distinguishes genuine brain disorders from problems rooted in the heart. Understanding that distinction will enable pastors, counselors, families, and friends to help others—or themselves—deal with personal struggles and responsibilities. While focusing on a few common disorders, Dr. Welch lays out a series of practical steps adaptable to a wide range of conditions, habits, or addictions.

3. Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave: Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel

Addiction is a worship disorder. Will we worship ourselves and our own desires, or will we worship the true God?

Scripture reveals addicts’ true condition: like guests at a banquet thrown by “the woman Folly,” they are already in the grave. (Prov. 9:13–18) Can we not escape our addictions?

Ed Welch shows us that when we are following Jesus we have “immense hope that God can give power so that we are no longer mastered by the addiction.”

Resources for Changing Lives Booklets

4. ADD: Wandering Minds and Wired Bodies

Easy distractibility or forgetfulness. Mouths, arms, hands, and legs that run ahead of thinking. Impulsive decisions, chronic difficulties meeting deadlines, mistaken notions of one’s own abilities… behaviors often associated with Attention Deficit Disorder.

What is ADD? What are the strengths and weaknesses of ADD children? What can be done about this puzzling disorder? Noting both the challenges and responsibilities of ADD children, Edward T. Welch clarifies the physical and spiritual dimensions of ADD. He offers parents—as well as adults who fit the profile—help, encouragement, and biblical wisdom on how to handle this condition.

5. Depression: The Way Up When You Are Down

Lost ambition. Emotional numbness. Fear and withdrawal. Fatigue. Marks of what is commonly called depression.

If you are one of the many people suffering from depression, there is hope and there is help—a way up when you are down. Even if you don’t feel like doing anything, this booklet provides manageable steps for getting started on the path that leads out of depression.

Edward T. Welch helps us understand the spiritual issues involved, whether one’s depression is caused by physical problems or results in them. Getting to the heart of what depression says and means, Welch guides us through a process of dealing with depression biblically and effectively.

6. Homosexuality: Speaking the Truth in Love

“Homosexuality is the hot issue of the day,” says Edward T. Welch in this booklet. “Even more than abortion, it will confront the church throughout this generation, forcing us to listen, study, and respond wisely.”

How can we answer claims that the Bible does not prohibit committed homosexual relationships? Or that science proves that homosexuality is genetic, not a chosen lifestyle? Welch supplies us with timely biblical and biological insight into homosexuality. Just as importantly, he calls us to examine our attitudes in order to minister to homosexuals truthfully, compassionately, humbly, and persuasively.

7. Just One More: When Desires Don’t Take No for an Answer

I hate it. I love it.

Sometimes our desires can be cruel lovers. We think we should be rid of a particular desire, but we feel stuck. “What’s the use in trying to rid my life of this desire?” we ask ourselves. “I’ve tried, but there’s just no way out for me.”

Or is there?

The problem may be more complicated than just being stuck. Might there be a path to true change? (If so, would you want to take that path?) Edward T. Welch may surprise you with his answer. Along the way he will introduce you to someone with words of comfort and hope you may never have heard before.

8. Motives: Why Do I Do the Things I Do

People are complex. There is behavior that we see and motives that we don’t. Behind the “what we do” of our lives is the “why we do it.”

Edward T. Welch challenges us to peer more closely into the “why.” He insightfully reveals that, according to God’s Word, the heart is the source of all human motivation. Our hearts contain motives such as: Pleasure, Happiness, Meaning, Power, Comfort, Control, Success, Peace, Freedom, Reputation, Respect, Love/Intimacy

Welch encourages us to ask questions to discover some of our deeper motives:

• What do we hope for, want, crave?
• What do you fear? What do you worry about?
• When do you say, “If only…”?

9. Self-Injury: When Pain Feels Good

If you have ever purposely injured yourself, it may seem normal, even right. But if you haven’t, it seems impossible to understand those who have. After all, don’t living creatures avoid pain?

Edward T. Welch writes this eye-opening and encouraging booklet assuming that you feel trapped in a cycle of self-injury or that you love someone who does. Welch helps loved ones to understand the selfinjurer’s world. And if you are the one who feels trapped by this behavior, he lovingly describes a cure that is more attractive than you think. If you want peace and rest, you must look away from yourself. Look to Jesus—the answers reside in him.

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