Friday, February 3, 2017

Daily Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner by Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC :The Importance of Having Laser Focus in Your Relationship with Jesus



Where is your focus? Are you easily distracted?


A definition of laser focus is intensely paying attention to a single object, concept, person or activity to the exclusion of everything else.

A definition of the word focus is the center of interest or activity.

Synonyms for focus:
Center
Focal point
Center of attention
Heart
Cornerstone

If you don’t become intentionally focused on following Jesus, remaining obedient to His Word, and pursuing God’s destiny for your life-you will get distracted and pulled by the cares of this world. Are all distractions “bad” for us? No, but some things come into our lives that seem good, but if it pulls us away from putting God first in our lives, or our purpose-it’s a distraction!

Reflect and ponder: Would the words “laser focus” describe your relationship with Jesus? What cares of this world keep you from placing Jesus as your focus?

Counselor’s Corner:
Ways to become more laser focused in pursing Jesus and your purpose:

1.      Cut out the non-essentials in your life. Do you really have to check your Facebook, emails and whose texting you every hour? Technology along with social media can be one of our biggest distractors. Sidebar: I have a friend who recently discussed with me that her ex-mother-in-law called her 10 times in one evening and that she was very distracted by the non-stop calls as she was having her teenage daughter baptized that evening. My response to my friend: “Turn your phone off when you don’t want to be distracted!”

2.      Say, “No” to things that the Holy Spirit not led you to do. Stop “following the crowds” and instead be motivated by God not man.

3.      Get alone with the Father frequently! In our quiet place with God, He speaks! If you bring your phone, and other electronic devices in your time with the Father-you will get distracted! Just bring your Bible, pen, journal, and any worship music you like.
4.      Stop being so busy and always in a hurry. Slow down and work out a pace that makes room for Jesus-He is first!

5.      Write out your daily/weekly schedule, and stick to your schedule as much as possible. Place spending time with God first on your schedule. New research shows that making specific plans creates mental space, allowing us to avoid being distracted. Have you ever been around someone who lacks the ability to plan? What you get is confusion about what they want to do because they are easily distracted by having too much mental space. Yes, we are to “hold our plans loosely” as Scripture says, but there are benefits to making plans-it keeps us focused! Now, if Holy Spirit comes along and disrupts our plans, we should be obedient and follow Jesus.

Keeping focused on Christ means PURPOSEFULLY fading out EVERYTHING that pulls us away from concentrating on Him-this takes discipline!

Jesus should be our focus, not what we can do for Him; religious activities, or people.

MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the end. Psalm 119:112

Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Daily Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner by Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC :Benefits of Connecting to Nature: “Green Therapy”


I love being outside and I love nature, the sounds of birds singing, butterflies flying, and seeing all the magnificent flowers. Nature teaches! Being one-fourth Choctaw Indian I can say that I have always had an admiration for nature. I did not always realize that God the Father was the creator of all the beauty around me, not Mother Nature as I used to think or as most Native Americans refer to the “Great Mystery.” Being outdoors connects me to God more than anything else. I can hear God more clearly outside and I usually experience a calm, peaceful and tranquil state. Jesus is so cool how he has not asked me to give up part of my culture (love and total respect of nature) to connect with Him. In fact, I understand Jesus more when I am admiring His many amazing creatures or when I am out among the trees, grass, and flowers.


Nature is good for us, and can have mental and physical health benefits! “Green therapy” is gaining the attention of scientists, nature enthusiasts, and people who are in search of alleviating symptoms of depression. Being in nature has always been known by Native Americans and Asian cultures as being beneficial. Science is now identifying reasons that we need time in nature. A study was conducted in those that lived closest to a park or green space were less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety. Other studies have found that nature can prevent mental health disorders, and connecting with nature can help lift depression, improve energy, and boost overall well-being and mental health.

Reflect and ponder: Do you need more peace and less anxiety? Do you need a greater awareness of God’s creative side? Try some time in nature and you will experience a oneness with the Creator of the Universe, and you will be in complete awe of His creations. This sense of awe of God’s creation all around us not only connects us greater to God, but increases our peace and overall mental well-being.

Counselor’s Corner:
What are some benefits to connecting with nature:

1.      Walking in nature can improve your short-term memory and decrease depression, anxiety, and enhances positivity.

2.      Restores mental fatigue. Your mental energy can bounce back by being out in nature.
3.      Reduces stress. Even if you can’t go outdoors if you are trapped in an office all day, get by a window that represents nature well.

4.      An increase in creativity. A stroll in the great outdoors can give you a boost of creativity to start a project, write a book, paint, or solve a problem.

5.      New research is coming out that implies that being out in nature can stimulate the production of anti-cancer proteins, and can increase your immune system. Vitamin D is produced by sunlight and getting time outdoors with (limited) sun exposure can aid the immune system even more.

6.      After some time outdoors, your mental health can improve. When you combine exercise outdoors you get a double benefit. Outdoor walks can be useful clinically as a way to treat major depressive disorders. When surrounded by green nature your self-esteem and mood are bolstered.

7.      Indoor air is almost 70% more contaminated than outdoor air! Get out and get some fresh air or open your windows.

8.      Being around nature reduces anger, fear, and reduces muscle tension and the production of the stress hormone cortisol. Nature distracts us from pain and is soothing to our souls.

9.      A lack of “nature depreciation” (being in front of computer/TV daily) has been associated with higher levels of depression.


Tips if you can’t make it outdoors or it’s a rainy day:

1.      Stuck indoors, get close to a window that you can look at nature. Open your windows or doors to let in fresh, outdoor air.

2.      Get a picture of a nature scene, just looking at a nature scene can have similar effects as if you really did go out in nature (however, nothing is better than really going outside and experiencing nature).

3.      Get a plant or some type of greenery to fill your office or home.

MEDIATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Job 12:7-8

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Psalm 19:1

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities-His eternal power and Divine nature-have been made clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20




Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Daily Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner by Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC : Rewire Your Brain


Maybe you’re like me and were raised in a negative environment, and you learned how to be negative. The good news is we can rewire our brains through changing our thoughts, and scientific research has proven that this can be done. Neuroplasticity is the term that is used when referring to being able to rewire your brain. Universities and colleges have taught previously that the brain is hard-wired or set usually in early childhood, and the brain has no ability to change.


Neuroplasticity enables people to recover from stroke, injury, depression, addictions, and obsessive compulsive patterns (Hampton, Debbie, Reset.me. Neuroplasticity: the 10 fundamentals of rewiring your brain).

If you have had a challenging time with overcoming negative thought patters, you can overtime become more positive and faith-filled.

Reflect and ponder: How would you describe yourself? A negative or positive person, a pessimistic person or optimistic person, do you see the “cup half empty of half full?”

Counselor’s Corner: Changing your thought patterns from negative to positive can happen, but be patient because it takes time to rewire your brain. You must commit to daily speaking out loud positive affirmations with scriptures about yourself and others for at least 6 months. We will become more faith-filled when we speak the Word of God, and speaking God’s Word has lasting effects not just saying positive statements.

My prescription for rewiring your brain: saying positive affirmations with corresponding scriptures out loud 2x per day for 6 months. After 6 months, reevaluate to see how much progress that you have made, if you need to continue after the 6 months-do so! You will notice positive changes in your mood, thinking, health, and energy only after several weeks, but don’t stop there! Your brain needs time to permanently change in the direction that you desire.

Fill your mind with positive affirmations and scriptures daily, and don’t allow your mind to be negative or wonder throughout the day. Take every thought captive and replace any negative thoughts with one of the positive affirmations and scriptures that you are speaking out loud.

Take every thought captive into the obedience of Jesus Christ, casting down every imagination and every high and lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. 2 Corinthians 10:5

I recommend getting notecards and writing your positive affirmations and corresponding scriptures on them. It’s easier this way, you can take your cards with you and read them during your lunchbreak.

Examples of positive affirmations with scriptures that you can use. Make some of your own, as many as you need in the areas that you have trouble with.

·        All of my thoughts are positive and faith-filled.
Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8

·        I am a thankful person.
I will thank God in everything (no matter what the circumstance may be, be thankful and give thanks), for this is the will of God for me. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

·        As a man thinks in his heart, so he is. Proverbs 23:7
Therefore all of my thoughts ae positive. I do not allow the devil to use my spirit as a garbage dump by meditating on negative things that he offers me.

·        I am slow to speak, quick to hear, and slow to anger. James 1:19

·        I do not speak negative things.
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29

·        I am always a positive encourager. I edify and build up; I never tear down and destroy.
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. Romans 15:2

·        I am peaceful.
I have the peace of God, which passes all understanding. Philippians 4:6

·        I am joyful always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

·        I do not worry.
I will not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Matthew 6:34

For more information on brain neuroplasticity from a Christian perspective, check out Dr. Caroline Leaf, cognitive neuroscientist @ www.dr.leaf.com


Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Daily Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner by Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC :The Importance of the Holy Spirit



Stillness restores the soul. Be still long enough to hear the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks to us best when we are quiet, rested and still.

We are not present with Jesus physically, but He provides His Holy Spirit to us at the moment. Jesus is present with us now through His Spirit living inside of us, and when we die we will be present with Jesus physically.

When we wait to hear from the Holy Spirit we can move and do what the Father is placing upon our spirits, but if we never stop to allow the Holy Spirit to influence us; it is possible we will go our own way. The Holy Spirit is gentle and peaceful. The Holy Spirit brings comfort, teaches us, and guides us. Without stopping to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us, we may miss what He wants us to do. So many of us are too busy to get quiet and still before God. I had a friend once tell me that she would love to “get still” before the Lord, but her mind races too much. (*I will give some tips for getting still under the counselor’s corner.)

Reflect and ponder:  How do you know if the Holy Spirit has led you to do something? Ask Him, then look for His peace, an “inner” knowing, and you will not be confused (no debating should you do this or that). Do you step out of the order of the Holy Spirit or rush ahead and just do what you want or what others want from you? If so, what does that feel like? The Holy Spirit will never make you feel hurried to give an answer, you won’t feel rushed or panicked, and there is unity between spouses and usually with other believers in Christ. Where there is no unity and peace between believers, the Holy Spirit most likely is not involved. Even in situations that “seem” good, they may not be the best for you-at the time! We need the Holy Spirit to guide us in all our decisions.

Counselor’s Corner: You can easily accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, and without a doubt go to Heaven when you die. I know people who I believe will go to Heaven when they die, but they miss the power of the Holy Spirit while living on Earth. The Holy Spirit is with us now and Jesus is in heaven interceding for us with God the Father. So, are you telling me Jesus is not the same as the Holy Spirit and God the Father? No! Jesus in heaven sends His Spirit to us now so we can be equipped and empowered while we navigate a place that truly is not our home-heaven is. Jesus knew we would need His help, so He sent His helper-The Holy Spirit.

Have you ever noticed how different Christians can be? Or even some churches?

If you called on Jesus to be your Savior but you have not called upon the Holy Spirit to fill you or perhaps you just don’t believe you need the Holy Spirit; you are missing out on so much like:

The Spirit teaches us to pray (Romans 8:26-27; Jude 1:20)
The Spirit leads us (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18; Matthew 4:1)
The Spirit reveals Christ to us and in us (John 16: 14-15).
The Spirit guides us to all truth (John 16:13).
The Spirit empowers us (Luke 4:14, 24:49; Romans 15; 19; Acts 1:8)
The Spirit anoints us for ministry (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38)
The Spirit reveals the deep things of God to us (1 Corinthians 2:10)
The Spirit brings liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17)
The Spirit transforms us to the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18)
The Spirit gives us access to God the Father (Ephesians 2:18)
The Spirit strengthens our spirits (Ephesians 3:16)
The Spirit enables us to obey the truth (1 Peter 1:22)
The Spirit teaches us (1 Corinthians 2:13; John 14:26)
The Spirit gives us joy (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
The Spirit comforts us (Acts 9:31)

*Tips for how you can get still before the Lord to hear the Holy Spirit:

1.      Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you every day with His Spirit. Ask for a “fresh” outpouring of His Spirit daily.

2.      Find a quiet place and turn off all electronics and put away your phone.

3.      Gather your journal to write what the Lord shows you, your Bible and a pen.

4.      Empty your mind of all that concerns you. Praying first and asking God to intervene in situations that you are concerned about can help you hear the Holy Spirit better. Take some deep breathes and relax.

5.      Confess and repent of any sin in your life. Unconfessed sin can hinder hearing from the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to show you every day what you may need to confess and repent of.

6.      Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and to bring His presence. The Holy Spirit speaks in a “still, small voice.” What does that mean? The opposite of when the enemy speaks to you-loud, obsessively, frantic, and without any peace and order. When the Holy Spirit speaks there is a calm, inner “knowing.”

MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you in all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:12-15

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteous and judgment. John 16:7-15

When the day of Pentecost arrives, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as a fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1-46

The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do don’t know where it comes from or where it goes. So is it with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14



Monday, January 30, 2017

Daily Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner by Stephanie R. Reck, LMSW, LBT, BCCC : Recharge Your Batteries


Unplug from the world and plug into Christ.


Some people live hectic and busy lives with no times for recharging. Our bodies can be compared to our electronic devices that need to get charged every day so that they won’t run-low and eventually die. Our bodies cannot function on go, go, go all the time. We must have times that we are able to recharge. Not having regular times of recharging can lead to stress-related issues such as high blood pressure, headaches, and insomnia.

God never intended for us to hustle and bustle continually.

Serving God is a good thing, but if you are at every function at church, and are at church “serving” every time the church doors open-you will burn out! What you do must be led by the Holy Spirit, not what everyone expects of you or what everyone else is performing. Following what everyone else is doing, often can get you into trouble. If you are “burning the candle” at both ends, some area in your life will suffer- your relationships, your health, and even your mental health.

Reflect and ponder: Are you too busy to take times to recharge? Not sure? Are you frequently tired, easily frustrated/annoyed, have a short-fuse, critical, feel tense/stress, have frequent headaches, or just can’t seem to unwind? If you answered yes to just (3) of the above, chances are you are needing to recharge more often.

Do you work a full-time job and serve full-time at church? If you answered yes, your life is out of balance and some area in your life is not thriving. Ministry, occupational or even relationship burn-out will eventually happen if you continue at the pace that you set for yourself. I realize I may be “stepping on some toes” by saying you can’t serve full-time at church, your home and on your job effectively and that some area of your will suffer. How can you recharge if you are either at work or at church? How can you be the best husband, wife, father, or mother if you are not recharged and “snapping” at everyone because you are tired, resentful, and frustrated? How can you hear God and spend intimate time with the Father if you’re too busy? If you are not recharging with the Father, you will not be able to be your best.

Counselor’s Corner:

Effective ways to “Recharge Your Batteries:”

1.      Learn to say, “No.” You can’t be everywhere and be everything to everyone. Take time to say, “Yes,” to yourself. It’s okay to take care of yourself!

2.      Don’t overcommit yourself. Learn to balance your life. If you are working full-time, coach baseball, serve at church, attend a bible study group, are married and have children-your plate is already full! Where is your time to recharge? Oh, you are one of those who don’t need it, now anyways you may not, but your body cannot sustain at that pace for an extended period of time.

3.      Find daily time to carve out for connecting with God. You might say,” Well, I attend my bible study group or I attend church, that’s all I need.” True, these things can help, but alone time with the Father can bring stillness in your spirit and that brings refreshment to you.

4.      Have at least 30 minutes every day where you do something YOU ENJOY that can be a walk in your neighborhood, watching something funny on TV, reading a book, or taking a warm bubble bath.

5.      Unplug from your social media and phone at least 30 minutes before bed, an hour is preferable. Have times in the day or after work where you leave your phone in another room so that you are not obsessively checking who called, texted, retweeted your tweet, reposted your Facebook post, or pinned something on your Pinterest. How can you recharge with all the tweeting, texting, reposting, pinning, and checking emails?

6.      Take time off as needed, whether it is a small vacation, stay cation, half day, or an entire day to recharge and do things that you enjoy. Life is meant to be enjoyed. If you too busy to take some time off, your too busy!

MEDITATE ON THESE SCRIPTURES:

And on the seventh day God finished His work that He done, and He rested on the seventh day from all of His work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because God rested from all His work that he had done. Genesis 2:2-3

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. Hebrews 4:9-11





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