Guilt and shame have been a part of the human experience from the dawn of man. After both Eve and Adam ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden, one of the first emotions they felt was described as what we know today as shame. “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” (Genesis 3:7, NIV) Because sin entered the world, [...]
Learning how to cope with change begins with accepting that change is an inevitable part of life. All of us make plans, hope for the best, prepare for the worst, and strive to be content in whatever state we are currently in. The Bible has a small section of books known as Wisdom Literature. It includes the books of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, the Psalms, and the Song of Solomon. For today, let us look at a selection of Bible [...]
Life is full of adverse circumstances that can cause a person to feel anything from minor stress to crippling panic. Adverse circumstances can be related to finances, social interactions, work, marriage/family dynamics, life transitions, grief/loss, or health issues, to name a few. Stress Inoculation Training (SIT) is a practical type of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy created by psychologist Donald Meichenbaum. The purpose of Stress Inoculation Training is to help a client build resilience during adversity by learning coping skills to manage [...]
Anxiety can feel like a raging storm hovering over your life. In some ways, it can leave you on edge and emotional. In other areas, you can develop mood swings and anger. Chronic anxiety can also trigger physical conditions, such as high blood pressure, panic attacks, and heart disease. Learning to self-regulate your emotions with mindfulness exercises for anxiety can decrease your risk of developing these conditions by lowering stress hormones. Mindfulness Exercises for Anxiety The following is a [...]
Managing stress in an already hectic environment seems impossible. But you can lower your stress levels in bite-sized chunks. You can practice a few ways to manage stress while you brew a pot of tea or coffee. Five-Minute Ways to Manage Stress Five minutes may not seem like a long time, but it is just the right amount to shift your mindset, calm your thoughts, and trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, which will help you feel calmer. Pick a [...]
How well do you know yourself, your personality? Do you understand how you naturally react when it comes to emotions? Do you lean toward suppressing your emotions or letting them out in ineffective ways? Our thoughts determine the ongoing course of our lives. We all know the difference between positive and negative thinking. Normally, our thinking is more negative, human-centered, and egocentric. Positive thoughts are by far first-rate compared to negative thoughts; however, how does positive thinking relate to [...]
Shame is one of the greatest weapons that the Devil uses to keep us from feeling worthy and achieving God’s plans for our lives. John 10:10 (NKJV) says, “The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and destroy.” Satan lies to us using shame as one of his most devastating tools to keep us stuck in toxicity, bad behaviors, addiction, and a life filled with regret. Shame Brings Condemnation Shame attacks our identity and is a blackmailer, forcing [...]
Christian counseling in Stone Oak, Texas is an excellent option for believers looking to heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from trauma, neglect, painful events, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship problems, and more. At Stone Oak Christian Counseling in Stone Oak, Texas, we offer faith-based mental health therapy for individuals of all ages, couples, and families. Expectations Many people are unsure of what to expect from Christian counseling. They may imagine a clergyman ready to shame them for their past or [...]
Looking for Bible verses about faith in hard times? Nobody in the Bible has more to say about faith in dark times than the prophets of the Old Testament. Sure, they did some weird stuff to make their point (Then the Lord said, “Just as my servant Isaiah has gone stripped and barefoot for three years, as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush.” Isaiah 20:3, NIV) As they saw the sorrow and suffering that their people dealt [...]
There are certain times of the year, or if we’re honest with ourselves, several times in a day when the thought of weight loss crosses our minds. For you, it might be when you wake up, when you step onto that scale, when you try to play with your child and find yourself struggling, or when you feel summer approaching and start stripping off those winter layers in favor of lighter clothing. We are constantly bombarded with information about [...]
Why Music is Good for Us I have to admit my bias: I am a marching band mom. Yes, one of those. I am also the mother of a teen with ADHD and Anxiety. I used to play the flute in middle school. I have admitted all of my biases, let me explain why I love music and why it’s wonderful for our brains. The Pacific Symphony’s website states “Studies have shown that engaging with music can lead to increased [...]
Chronic loneliness is loneliness that persists for a long period of time and does not go away. You feel detached from others, as though you don’t belong, and are unable to find anyone you can connect with on a deep level. Although it is not a diagnosable mental health condition, left unaddressed, it can affect you both physically and emotionally. Reasons People Become Lonely Loneliness is a subjective emotional experience. The way you perceive and experience your social interactions and [...]
