Thursday, July 13, 2017

Word of Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner: Are You Merciful to Yourself?


Do you give mercy to others but find it difficult to give mercy to yourself?


Forgiving others may come much easier than forgiving yourself. You can justify forgiving others for tremendous offenses but seem to find it difficult to forgive yourself for lesser offenses. There could be a wrong belief that says that you need to pay some sort of penance before you can let yourself off the hook.

You might say that you are your worst own critic. Taking care and helping others are your primary concern, but you seem to neglect proper self-care of yourself. Enjoying life and not taking life so serious is challenging for you because you feel at times you should be punished for the wrong that you have done. Even more challenging is others who have not offered you forgiveness of your wrong doings, and you may condemn yourself because you do not feel forgiven by them.

When you show mercy to someone, you let them off the hook. Showing mercy means you will have compassion and forgiveness instead of giving that person what they deserved. Mercy means not bringing up the offense committed again. Are you able to do this with yourself, or do you rehash your shortcomings over and over? Do you beat yourself up over mistakes and weaknesses that you have? Are you rigid and hard on yourself, not able to let go of prior offenses?

You have asked Jesus to forgive you for your past mistakes but you continue to punish yourself in some way. You can punish yourself by not enjoying life. If you replay in your mind all the hurtful things you have done, or all the regrets that you have-you will not enjoy life!

God does not punish you for your past mistakes by wanting you to remember them and not enjoy life. In fact the opposite is true of God-He is merciful and gives mercy. Jesus paid your debts that you owed on the cross, and when you seek His forgiveness in your daily walk with Him; He washes you clean as if you never committed any sin!

Showing mercy to yourself means that you recognize that you are human with weaknesses and shortcomings, and you will not always act perfectly or do the right thing. Letting go and forgiving yourself of any wrong doing that you have done will sow mercy for yourself. If you feel you just can’t show yourself mercy because you mess up daily or frequently, you especially need to give yourself mercy. If you are honestly trying not to hurt or offend others, and you are striving daily to grow in your relationship with Christ, then give yourself MERCY!






Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Word of Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner Why Do We Get Frazzled?


What a hectic week I had last week. By the end of the week I was tired, stressed, and a bit irritable. Can anyone relate to this madness of keeping up with the demands and fast pace life we can have? By the weekend, I realized I made everything and everyone a priority over placing my time with God first.

We will suffer either mentally, physically, or spiritually when we put things ahead of God.
                                                   
                                              
Why do we get frazzled?
1.      We take on too much responsibility.
2.      We do things out of obligation rather than God directing us.
3.      We fear saying, “No,” to others and letting people down.
4.      As women, we seriously think we can do it all.
5.      The enemy sends distractions (even things that seem like a good thing).

If you have felt this way, run to the feet of Jesus immediately. Tell someone, “No, I can’t today,” or shut off your phone, stop obsessively checking your emails and social media, and shut the TV off.

If you can carve out a day or half a day to replenish with God. Things can wait, and God will send someone else to help whoever you believe needs your help.

When you feel your “cup is empty” you will exhibit these signs:

1.      Fatigue/exhaustion
2.      Irritability/anger
3.      Stress/overwhelmed
4.      Feeling burned-out
5.      Anxious/restless
6.      Forgetful/easily distracted
7.      Depression/discouragement
8.      A lack of peace, joy, and contentment
9.      Weakened immune system

It is not God’s will for you to feel burned-out and exhausted. Stop comparing yourself to others. Some people can do more and go more, and some have not learned how to place boundaries on their lives. Copying what others do is a sure recipe for disaster. God did not create you to be like others, and to follow what someone else does. Be your own person, and be comfortable that you are not built like anyone else.

Reprioritize your schedule, and leave only the things you must do. You will feel different for doing this. Few people, including Christians and sometimes especially Christians, have difficulty balancing and prioritizing their lives; that is why you cannot follow after others. Even if you are the only one who has balance in their lives, then be a leader.


As things come your way, ask God, “Is this what you have planned for me?” So many people never do this, and wind-up doing just whatever falls into their path. Do what God is leading you to do. This will require you to not be a people-pleaser, and to be obedient to God. 

Monday, July 10, 2017

Word of Encouragement: Counselor’s Corner Steps to Becoming an Overcomer in Christ



There is a real spiritual battle that rages, and some days it can feel like we are losing the war. These are difficult times for the Christian, and the warfare seems to be increasing. The enemy will increase the pressure and circumstances around you, so that you will lose your strength and eventually turn from your faith in Christ.


Overcome can be defined as success in dealing with a problem or difficulty, or to defeat or to prevail. Are you being overcome by the enemy or are you overcoming the enemy?

So, then how can we overcome our trials and the battles that ensues us?

Steps to becoming an overcomer:

1.      Realize that God will see you out of every battle that comes your way. It may not “feel” like it at first, but God is waging war with His heavenly hosts on your behalf. Your job is to remain in prayer and faith as the victory comes.

2.      Don’t react to what the enemy is showing you or telling you. The enemy will use anyone, including people in your family. Take every matter into prayer, but do not react to what is shown to you or spoken to you. Even if what you are being told or shown is appearing very real, don’t react to it.

3.      Never give up! You may “feel” like you are defeated, but the warfare WILL end. Stand firm until the battle that you’re under has shifted off.

4.      Renew your mind in the Word of God, and spend time in the presence of God. Get alone with God, and let Him wash over your fears and give you a strategic plan to overcome. Do not try and figure out how you can win your battles, but seek wisdom from God.

5.      When a battle comes your way, it is important not to talk to many people about it, discussing and rehearsing with them your situation. It is great to have wise counsel, but sometimes we just need to “run to the throne and not the phone.” This is important because sometimes people are giving us their different opinions, and we can end up confused.

6.      If you are feeling overwhelmed, defeated, discouraged, depressed, confused, fatigued, and feel strongly tempted to sin-STOP IMMEDIATELY and RUN to the feet of Jesus and get away from whatever is causing you to feel like sinning until you are in a position where you can overcome every temptation being thrown at you. Disconnect from whatever source is causing you to want to give up and go back.

7.      Fill yourself with whatever will feed your spirit, reading the Word, worship, speaking scriptures out loud about your situation, attending church, and watching God-inspired programs.

No matter what comes against you, God says in His Word, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage: I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. In ALL things we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). Greater in Jesus who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 5:5).

He who overcomes, I will grant him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. Revelation 3:21


And they overcame him because of the blood of the lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Revelation 12:11

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