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Please remember, listening to a podcast is never a substitute for urgent care. There is no shame in needing immediate support. Reaching out is an act of courage — not failure.

Today’s episode is a little different. Rather than simply listening to teaching or reflection, I’m going to invite you into something more personal — a guided, gentle self-assessment of your current mood.

Scripture encourages us, in 2 Corinthians 13:5, to “examine ourselves.” Not in a harsh or condemning way — but in an honest, sober, hopeful way. Throughout the Psalms, we see David praying, “Search me, O God… and lead me in the way everlasting.” Self-examination, reflection, when done in the presence of grace, is not morbid introspection — it is the doorway to renewal.

In my book The Renewed Mind, I adapted a well-known tool originally developed in 1984 by Dr. David Burns of Stanford University and based upon ideas first put forward by Dr. Aaron Beck a decade earlier. The Burns Depression Checklist is a simple and clinically respected questionnaire used worldwide to assess depressive symptoms.

Today, I guide people through a version of that checklist in audio form.

The Renewed Mind Depression Check

For each statement, rate how much it has been true for you over the past few days.

Use this scale:

0 – Not at all

1 – Slightly

2 – Moderately

3 – A lot

4 – Extremely

Try to answer honestly and quickly. Don’t overthink. Your first instinct is usually the most accurate.

Record and carefully add up all 25 scores, your total score will fall somewhere between 0 and 100.

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Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon

Buy the Book. (Paperback, Kindle, Audible Audio Book)

Amazon.co.uk: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Check out my other Podcasts.

The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast).

https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com

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Psychologist Martin Seligman’s and the 'Positive Psychology Movements' P.E.R.M.A. model tries to describe the building blocks of human well-being — Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

But what happens when we view these not through the lens of human potential, but divine purpose?

In this episode, we explore a distinctly spiritual vision of flourishing — Praise, Embodiment, Reconciliation, Mission, and Abiding — and discover how true happiness is found not in achieving more, but in drawing nearer to God.

Themes:

• Christian psychology and well-being
• The theology of happiness and blessedness
• The integration of faith and psychology
• How grace perfects, not replaces, human flourishing.

The Christian Devotional Path. (P.E.R.M.A.)

Praise: Worship in all circumstances. (Psalm 103) Action - Give thanks aloud.

Embodiment: Faithful presence in daily life. (Colossians 3:23) Action - Offer one task to God.

Reconciliation: Peace with God and others. (2 Corinthians 5:18) Action - Take a step towards healing.

Mission: Living God’s purpose. (Ephesians 2:10) Action - Serve someone today.

Abiding: Resting in Christ. (John 15:4) Action - Spend 10 minutes in silent prayer.

Support the show

Follow Me on Patreon.

Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon

Buy the Book. (Paperback, Kindle, Audible Audio Book)

Amazon.co.uk: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Check out my other Podcasts.

The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast).

https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com

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Depression often hides in plain sight. It rarely announces itself with the drama of a physical illness or injury. Instead, it settles quietly into the corners of our inner world—heavy, persistent, and difficult to articulate.

Episode Notes:

The Courage to Be Honest.

Not All Depression Looks the Same.

The Growing Weight of Depression in Our World.

Why Depression is Not Your fault.

The Bipolar Mood Scale (BMS)

The Bipolar Mood Scale runs from -5 to +5, with 0 representing a stable, healthy, balanced mood. Negative numbers represent degrees of depression. Positive numbers represent degrees of elevated mood—ranging from mild energy and optimism to agitation or even mania. Zero is the middle ground: calm, steady, emotionally regulated.

The Depressive Side (–1 to –5)

–1: A little low. You feel tired, unmotivated, or discouraged, but still functioning.

–2: Noticeably down. You’re withdrawing, struggling to enjoy things, and finding it harder to concentrate.

–3: Moderately depressed. Daily tasks feel heavy. You may feel hopeless or overwhelmed.

–4: Severe depression. Getting out of bed feels impossible. You may feel numb, empty, or deeply distressed.

–5: Extreme depression. This is a crisis point. Thoughts may become dark or unsafe. This requires immediate professional help.

The Elevated Side (+1 to +5)

+1: A little energised. Motivated, upbeat, productive.

+2: Very energised. Talking faster, taking on more tasks, sleeping less.

+3: Hypomanic. Feeling unstoppable, overly confident, and impulsive.

+4: Manic. Racing thoughts, risky decision-making, irritability, and little need for sleep.

+5: Extreme mania. Losing touch with reality. This is a medical emergency.

The Middle Ground (0)

This is where most of us hope to live: Steady, grounded, and emotionally regulated. Able to think clearly, able to rest, also able to respond rather than react…. Zero doesn’t mean “perfect.” It means “balanced.”

How to Use the Bipolar Mood Scale in Daily Life - See Link Below.

Mood Scale | Bipolar UK

Why Mood Awareness Matters Spiritually.

The Path Forward.

Depression: A Widespread but Treatable Illness:

Before Despair Takes Hold, There Is Good News.

Cognitive Therapy and Christian Transformation.

Understanding Your Emotional Landscape.

A Step‑by‑Step Journey Toward Renewal.

Where Timeless Wisdom Meets Proven Psychology.

Depression and the Darkened Lens.

The Role of Medication and the Role of Willingness.

A call to action.

Support the show

Follow Me on Patreon.

Jeremy McCandless | Creating Podcasts and Bible Study Resources | Patreon

Buy the Book. (Paperback, Kindle, Audible Audio Book)

Amazon.co.uk: Jeremy R Mccandless: books, biography, latest update

Check out my other Podcasts.

The Bible Project: https://thebibleproject.buzzsprout.com

History of the Christian Church: https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

The L.I.F.E. Podcast: (Philosophy and current trends in the Arts and Entertainment Podcast).

https://the-living-in-faith-everyday-podcast.buzzsprout.com