{"id":25232,"date":"2025-01-03T17:11:08","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T15:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/?p=25232"},"modified":"2025-01-03T23:28:22","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T21:28:22","slug":"new-book-release-death-disease-disaster-and-despicable-evil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/new-book-release-death-disease-disaster-and-despicable-evil\/","title":{"rendered":"New Book Release: &#8220;Death, Disease, Disaster, and Despicable Evil&#8221;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;As we journey through life, we are often confronted by calamities that appear impossible to surmount \u2013 the harsh reality of death, the torment of disease, the aftermath of disaster, and the pervasive presence of evil. These daunting adversities can leave us feeling overwhelmed and trapped in a state of unending emotional turmoil. Yet amidst this seemingly insurmountable chaos, there is a beacon of hope.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"750\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/death-disease-disaster-and-despicable-evil.jpg?resize=500%2C750&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25237\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/death-disease-disaster-and-despicable-evil.jpg?w=500&amp;ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/death-disease-disaster-and-despicable-evil.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Michael Messina, a seasoned clinical psychologist and Christian counselor, explores the Christian perspective on these formidable life challenges in his new book <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0D5HGFPVJ\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0D5HGFPVJ\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Death, Disease, Disaster, &amp; Despicable Evil: Finding Peace in the Face of Tragedy<\/a><\/em>. He presents a transformative approach that shifts focus from the pain and suffering of tragedy to the resilience and healing that can be found through faith. This book is not just about understanding tragedy, but about reshaping our thoughts and responses to it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With a deep understanding of psychological principles and a strong faith in God&#8217;s teachings, Dr. Messina provides a roadmap to navigate the emotional landscape of anxiety, depression, and anger that often follows tragedy. He offers a lifeline to those grappling with emotional distress, introducing them to a Christ-centered perspective and coping strategies that have comforted and guided Christians for centuries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"563\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/messina_-michael-210630-1.jpg?resize=450%2C563&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25240\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/messina_-michael-210630-1.jpg?w=450&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/messina_-michael-210630-1.jpg?resize=240%2C300&amp;ssl=1 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This book is not merely a theoretical exploration, but a practical guide filled with insights derived from biblical wisdom. It is intended to help readers see their life and pain through a new lens, a lens that frames their experiences in the context of their faith. It is a call to transformation, an invitation to shift from despair to peace.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the face of life&#8217;s inevitable tragedies, this book serves as a guiding light, illuminating the path to peace and resilience. By helping readers align their perspective with God&#8217;s, it offers a unique approach to finding calm amidst chaos, uncovering the lasting peace that seems elusive yet is within our reach.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember, tragedy may be inevitable, but devastating emotions don&#8217;t have to be. This book is a testament to that truth, a beacon of hope amidst the storm, a guide to finding calm amidst chaos. It is an invitation to uncover the lasting peace that lies within you, a peace that can weather any storm.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dr. Messina approaches a much needed subject with expertise and personal insight. His vulnerable exploration of many things that derail Christians (anxiety, trauma, loss) is navigated through the lens of his professional training and his faith. What a rare and needed combination!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>David Pocta, Ph.D., Director, Institute for the Study of Contemporary Spirituality, Oblate School of Theology\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/messina-family.jpg?resize=960%2C640&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-25239\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/messina-family.jpg?w=960&amp;ssl=1 960w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/messina-family.jpg?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/messina-family.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Dr. Michael Messina is a licensed clinical psychologist and Christian counselor and is part of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dfwchurch.org\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.dfwchurch.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">DFW Church<\/a>. He is the founder of Dr. Messina &amp; Associates, a mental health private practice in Texas. With two decades of experience in psychotherapy, psychological testing, and Christian counseling, he specializes in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma. He is a former pastor, has held academic positions, and frequently lectures at various institutions. Dr. Messina has also collaborated with media outlets such as CBS and CNBC. Passionate about integrating his Christian faith into clinical practice, Dr. Messina&#8217;s work is a beacon of hope for those grappling with tragedy. He has been married for 21 years and has two sons.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Michael Messina presents a transformative approach that shifts focus from the pain and suffering of tragedy to the resilience&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":25248,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[71],"tags":[59],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-25232","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-books"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/file.jpg?fit=900%2C750&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Lai-Yan Faller","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/lyfaller\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-6yY","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":31150,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/online-support-through-grief-and-loss\/","url_meta":{"origin":25232,"position":0},"title":"Online Support Through Grief and Loss","author":"Vida Li Sik","date":"August 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"An online support group for disciples in disaster and suffering, as a reminder that God heals, strengthens and is ever-near.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Iglesia-Venezuela.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Iglesia-Venezuela.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Iglesia-Venezuela.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Iglesia-Venezuela.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Iglesia-Venezuela.jpg?fit=1200%2C638&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14912,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/insideout-christian-counseling-conference-meet-our-speakers\/","url_meta":{"origin":25232,"position":1},"title":"InsideOut Christian Counseling Conference: Meet our Speakers!","author":"dtadmin","date":"July 6, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"We are excited to welcome Dr. Tracy Jones, Christian Smith, LICSW, and Drs. Michael and Mary Shapiro as our keynote speakers","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inside-out-23-speakers.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inside-out-23-speakers.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inside-out-23-speakers.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inside-out-23-speakers.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/inside-out-23-speakers.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24222,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/rmsmt-fall-2024-course-registration-opens\/","url_meta":{"origin":25232,"position":2},"title":"RMSMT Fall 2024 Course Registration Is Open","author":"Vida Li Sik","date":"July 28, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"The Rocky Mountain School of Ministry and Theology opens Fall 2024 course registration for fully online courses for audit or credit.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Bible Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Bible Study","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/bible-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/RMSMT.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/RMSMT.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/RMSMT.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/RMSMT.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/RMSMT.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3887,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/albania-devastated-by-earthquake\/","url_meta":{"origin":25232,"position":3},"title":"Albania Devastated by Earthquake","author":"dtadmin","date":"November 27, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Early in the morning of November 26, Albania was struck by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake. At least 15 have been killed with several hundred injured. The earthquake struck just outside of the capital city of Tirana.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/AlbaniaEarthquakeHww.png?fit=826%2C589&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/AlbaniaEarthquakeHww.png?fit=826%2C589&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/AlbaniaEarthquakeHww.png?fit=826%2C589&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/AlbaniaEarthquakeHww.png?fit=826%2C589&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":24794,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/rmsmt-appoints-dr-jennifer-konzen-as-dean-of-christian-counseling\/","url_meta":{"origin":25232,"position":4},"title":"RMSMT Appoints Dr. Jennifer Konzen as Dean of Christian Counseling","author":"Vida Li Sik","date":"October 30, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"It is with great pleasure that we announce that Dr. Jennifer Konzen has been appointed as our Rocky Mountain School of Ministry and Theology dean of Christian Counseling. Of course, we still mourn the loss of Dr. Timothy Sumerlin, the previous dean of Christian Counseling but are thankful that Dr.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dr. Jennifer Konzen","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Jennifer-Konzen.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Jennifer-Konzen.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Jennifer-Konzen.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Jennifer-Konzen.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Jennifer-Konzen.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1909,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/rmsmt-announces-fall-2022-courses\/","url_meta":{"origin":25232,"position":5},"title":"RMSMT Announces Fall 2022 Courses","author":"dtadmin","date":"July 18, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Rocky Mountain School of Ministry and Theology announces Fall 2022 courses.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Bible Study&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Bible Study","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/bible-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RMSMT_Fall-e1674932262399.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RMSMT_Fall-e1674932262399.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RMSMT_Fall-e1674932262399.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/RMSMT_Fall-e1674932262399.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/file.jpg?fit=900%2C750&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25232","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25232\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25248"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25232"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=25232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}