Podcast Summary

Life.Church with Craig Groeschel

Episode: "God Will Heal Your Mind" | Heal Your Hurting Mind: Part 2

Released: February 22, 2026
Speakers: Craig Groeschel (Senior Pastor), Dr. Wayne Chappelle (Psychologist & Co-Author)

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Craig Groeschel and Dr. Wayne Chappelle continue their message series, “Heal Your Hurting Mind,” focusing on how God works to heal our minds—not only in extreme moments of crisis or triumph, but especially when we’re “stuck in the middle.” They explore the biblical and psychological realities of how healing is often a process, not a one-time event, drawing from both personal experience and a story from the Gospels. The message is about hope, community, honesty, and the progressive journey of soul healing.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Understanding “The Middle” (00:22–04:55)

• Recognizing the Middle:
  • Many people aren’t in crisis or in victory, but are simply “in the middle”: functioning but discouraged, not broken but not thriving.
  • Dr. Wayne Chappelle: “That place is what I call the middle. You're not in a horrible place... but you're also not experiencing the breakthrough and the joy of the Lord.” (01:22)
• The Church’s Silence:
  • The church often focuses on extremes: desperation or great victory, but less on the in-between spaces.
• Craig’s Encouragement:
  • “If you've been there, or maybe you're there right now. Not horrible, not great. I want to tell you that you are not alone, that God is with you.” (03:43)

2. Healing Is a Process, Not an Event (06:05–08:44)

• Body, Soul, & Spirit:
  • We are body, soul (mind, will, emotions), and spirit. Salvation is instant but sanctification (becoming like Jesus) and healing of the soul are ongoing.
  • Dr. Wayne Chappelle: “You can be saved instantly when you call on Jesus. But your mind, will and emotions, they're renewed over time.” (06:32)
• Example from Scripture:
  • The healing of the blind man in Mark 8 is highlighted—the healing requires more than one touch from Jesus, illustrating progressive, stage-based healing.
  • Craig Groeschel: “In one story, he's healed with one touch. In this story, it actually takes two. Same savior, different process.” (08:44)

3. The Power of Community (10:00–14:52)

• “Some People” and the Importance of Support:
  • Unnamed people bring the blind man to Jesus—the miracle begins with community.
  • Craig Groeschel: “They don’t need names... it’s ordinary, everyday people, just like you and just like me... God used ordinary people to start a miracle.” (09:10)
• Combating Isolation:
  • Isolation is a tactic of the enemy. Healing often begins by accepting help and being vulnerable.
  • Craig shares his own struggle with burnout and the importance of his wife and friends creating a “wingmen/wingpeople” support system.

4. Personal Testimony: Healing Takes a Village (14:52–18:14)

• Pastor Craig’s Story:
  • As a pastor and eldest child of an alcoholic, Craig learned to “keep secrets, perform, and read the room.”
  • Some wounds from the past linger after salvation; spiritual healing is instant but emotional healing is gradual.
  • Craig Groeschel: “I was saved instantly... But healing takes time... mental health is not static. It moves and it shifts and you often heal in stages.” (14:55)
• Role Switching:
  • Sometimes you’re the one needing help, sometimes you’re one of “some people” supporting others.

5. Healing in Stages and Celebrating Progress (20:42–26:49)

• Honest Self-Assessment:
  • Jesus prompts the man to be honest; the man admits he can only “see people like trees walking.”
  • Craig Groeschel: “He doesn’t say, I see completely... He says, something’s changed, but I’m not all the way healed.”
• Healing as Progress, Not Perfection:
  • Partial healing is not failure—it's progress.
  • Dr. Wayne Chappelle: “Partial healing is not failed healing—it is healing in progress.” (23:28)
• Celebrate Steps, Not Just the Destination:
  • Forgiveness, reduced anxiety, and capturing negative thoughts—small improvements are worth celebrating.

6. God’s Faithfulness “Once More” (26:10–29:41)

• The Second Touch:
  • Jesus touches the blind man again—persistent, repeated healing.
  • Dr. Wayne Chappelle: “Jesus isn’t finished with you yet. He’s not mad at you. The same power that touched you once will touch you again.” (26:49)
• Dependence on Jesus:
  • The goal isn’t perfection but dependence. Healing remains incomplete this side of heaven; dependence on Christ is constant.
  • Craig Groeschel: “I am a lot better but not all the way better... I am at the point where I have been the whole time, dependent on him, his power, his truth, his people.” (27:55)
• Philippians 1:6:
  • “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion..." (28:55)

7. Practicing Community and Prayer (29:41–34:45)

• Healing Together:
  • Congregational exercise—people stand if they’re hurting or standing for someone else. Others join, illustrating the church as a family.
  • Craig Groeschel: “We are gonna stand with you... You were not designed to get through this alone.” (30:06)
• Prayer for a "Second Touch":
  • Invites all to pray—asking for continued healing, support, and faith to remain dependent on God and community.

8. “The First Step is Surrender” – Salvation Invitation (34:20–35:51)

• Spiritual Healing as Central:
  • Addresses those trying to heal their minds without surrendering to Jesus.
  • “Salvation is not about getting better—it’s about being made brand new.”
• Prayer for Salvation:
  • Group prays together calling on Jesus for forgiveness, new life, and commitment to dependence on God and His people.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Dr. Wayne Chappelle (01:22): “That place is what I call the middle... it’s definitely not where you want to be.”
• Craig Groeschel (03:43): “You are not alone, that God is with you.”
• Craig Groeschel (09:10): “They don’t need names... God used ordinary people to start a miracle.”
• Craig Groeschel (14:55): “I was saved instantly... But healing takes time... mental health is not static.”
• Dr. Wayne Chappelle (23:28): “Partial healing is not failed healing—it is healing in progress.”
• Craig Groeschel (27:55): “I am a lot better but not all the way better... I am at the point where I have been the whole time, dependent on him, his power, his truth, his people.”
• Dr. Wayne Chappelle (26:49): “Jesus isn’t finished with you yet... The same power that touched you once will touch you again.”
• Craig Groeschel (30:06): “You were not designed to get through this alone. And we're gonna ask God for another touch.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Recognizing “The Middle”: 00:22–04:55
• Salvation is Instant, Healing Is a Process: 06:05–08:44
• The Blind Man’s Story (Mark 8): 08:44–12:52
• Personal & Community Testimonies: 12:52–18:14
• Honest Progress and Partial Healing: 20:42–26:49
• “Once More” — Repeated Touches from Jesus: 26:10–29:41
• Community in Action—Congregational Prayer: 29:41–34:45
• Salvation & Surrender Prayer: 34:20–35:51

Flow & Tone

The episode is gentle, empathetic, honest, and highly relational—blending biblical teaching with real-life struggles and personal transparency. The tone is encouraging and hopeful, underscoring that God is with us in every stage of our journey, especially when life is "in the middle." Craig and Dr. Chappelle give permission to not have it all together, reassure listeners that partial healing is still progress, and stress the irreplaceable power of community and dependence on Jesus.

Conclusion

This episode is a source of comfort, helping listeners acknowledge the reality of ongoing struggles and the importance of incremental steps in healing. It is a strong reminder that God’s work is ongoing, that community is essential, and that progress (no matter how small) is valuable. Ultimately, the invitation is to surrender to Jesus—knowing that He doesn’t abandon us in the middle, but walks with us to completion.