Spiritual Growth: my declarations (part 3)
If anything from the previous weeks have resonated with you...that is you may have a faulty view of how God sees you, this week is definitely for you.
Grab your journal because I've got some scriptures for you to base your affirmations upon.
The affirmation for you...
I am completely loved.
Why is that important? Well, if that sinks in deep...deep into your consciousness and you fully believe it, then you'd likely see yourself more naturally "grow spiritually". This is because you'd be free from the need to do things hoping to earn brownie points and your responses will be based on the growing relationships with your loving Father.
There is a certain freedom in the security of being loved and just "being". If I'm honest, I do believe that is the secret to spiritual health = surrendered heart that is confident in being loved.
Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 31:3
Jeremiah 1:5
Psalm 139:15-16
John 3:16
John 10:36
Romans 5:8
Ephesians 2:8
1 John 3:16
#drgiasays #Jesusplustherapy #Christiantherapist #Christianity #spiritualhealth #calvary #iamthestrongone #secureidentity #faith
Spiritual Growth: my self talk (part 2)
As you may remember, in week 2, we examine self-talk that supports or connects to our faulty beliefs and unhealthy thinking patterns. As it relates to our spiritual growth, there are any number of negative ways we can engage but I think the one that undermines us the most connects with the message from week one - I must earn the love of God.
When we feel that we must earn love, it is very easy for us to also then struggle to accept that God will answer our prayers. It may even be harder to truly accept that good can come to us, whether we think we deserve it or not.
Have you found yourself pumped and energized in believing for breakthroughs, favor and miracles for others but then feeling real unconvinced when it comes to simple or even big things for yourself?
Do you catch yourself saying…
It probably won’t happen for me.
I don’t deserve it.
I failed God.
That’s too big (too much).
My request isn’t important
Religion will tell you that that’s a lack of faith but I’m here to challenge that it may be less about your “faith” in God and more about how you see God and what He thinks about you.
If any of this resonated with you… I challenge you to go back to the core messages from last week.
Do you really believe that you are fully loved (with no conditions) and completely accepted?
Do you really believe that God is a good Father who has good plans for you?
Do you struggle with the notion that you are disqualified because of some condition, trespass or experience?
The answers to these questions will reveal if your spiritual growth (or lack thereof) is deeper than just not enough faith.
Next week, we dive in on the truth and give you some affirmations that you can adapt into your daily language. #drgiasays #jesusplustherapy #intentionalliving #Christian #faithbasedbloggers #faithbasedcounseling #Christiantherapists
Spiritual Growth: my beliefs (part 1)
Lemme remind you why this series exist...because setting goals is never enough. Without understanding the belief systems that feed behaviors, and even understanding how our emotions impact our behaviors, we are likely to continue to make futile attempts toward behavior change and end up frustrated! This is true for all types of desired behavioral changes, even those are tied to our spiritual health.
I believe that we are tripartite beings, consisting of spirit, soul and body. If you are holistic in your approach to life, you’d also be aware that any part of our selves that is impacted is usually connected to the other. Put simply your mind not only impactful your body but also your spirit and vice versa..
In April, our theme at #legacychurchglobal is Calvary and as I considered how to connect this series, I couldn’t help but recall how many times I hear people expressing a goal that ties to their faith. Side note, I am intentional to make space for people with differing beliefs understanding that not everyone shares my convictions but this month, the weeks will be specifically targeted to those whose faith aligns with traditional Judeo Christian heritage ✝️.
How many times have we set goals like:
I want to read my Bible more;
I want to pray more;
I want to stop (insert sin, here);
I want to have more faith.
And regardless of how we write out our intention, time passes and we are no closer to the goal. Now some can argue, the goals above are not SMART. Sure, but I also would challenge, what is the motive behind the goal? Digging a bit deeper, what are your beliefs about God? And how are those beliefs possibly impacting your movement toward achieving the goals.
Do you see God as
the punitive being who is keeping track of your sins and shortcomings waiting to punish you?
as distant and uncaring about the day to day of your life?
The higher power that has conditions on his love, favor and goodness?
Without realizing how it happens, it is often true that many of us fall into the trap of setting spiritual goals from the belief of
I must earn the love of God.
And if this is underlying your goal setting, then you will burn out. Our spiritual growth should be driven by relationship and not obligation. During this week, even as we have just celebrated the very reason for our faith, I challenge you to ask yourself the hard questions and consider the limiting thoughts and beliefs that may be hindering your own spiritual growth and development.#drgiasays #Jesusplustherapy #digdeeper #goalsetting #Christianity #cbt #spiritualgrowth #faithbasedcounseling #christiantherapists
Life after Trauma: my habits (part 4)
Because shame flourishes in secret, on of the most effective action steps you can make is to find a place of safety so that you can #breakthesilence.
Now this may seem different than the other actions we have considered, but shame is insidious and it is broken when you can separate yourself from the thing that brings you shame. You know, to be able to say...
I struggle with this, but...I am more than my struggle.
This happened to me but...my traumatic experience doesn't define me.
I used to do this but...that's no longer characteristic of me.
For each one of those what comes after is super important to you finding freedom. Ultimately the idea is EXACTLY what we discussed last week.
🗣 You are more than your experience or your struggle.
So this week consider your places of safety?
*The place of safety could be found in the services of a mental health professional.
*A safe space can also be a community group for other individuals with a similar story or experience, eg Alcoholics Anonymous.
*A safe space can also be a person who will hear your story and not judge you. And yes, that can exist outside of a professional relationship.
There is no need to suffer or heal, in silence.
In fact, if you don’t have someone in your life for whom this is true then I recommend asking God to send someone. The village is so important to #lifeaftertrauma for both support and accountability. #drgiasays
Life after Trauma: my declarations (part 3)
Happy Monday. This week, we are still pressing into how we overcome, specifically as it relates to life after trauma. Of focus for this week... our declarations. We are changing our language and through this change, we are breaking out of the prison that shame may have had us in.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not encouraging delusional thinking or diminishing the weight of what you experienced. I know and respect that..
Yes, the experiences were horrific.
*
Yes, the scars are real.
*
Yes, you are still triggered.
but also you are still alive and because you are, there are opportunities for more.
So as difficult as some days will get, after you lean into your pain and have a good cry (or scream), I want you to get up, wash your face and speak to your self and your future.
say it with me:
🗣🗣
I'm alive and there's more. My future is bright. I live in joy!
*
I reject shame.
*
I will not allow shame to have a place in my life.
*
I am more than my experiences
*
Healing is a process and my journey is my own
Remember, the pain of now doesn't determine your future and you are more than even the sum of your experiences. #drgiasays #Jesusplustherapy #hope #renounceshame #joy #growth #overcomingtrauma #cbt #affirmations
Breaking Cycles: my habits (part 4)
Week 4! we made it.
In case you are new to this series, we #digdeeper and explore the thoughts, beliefs, language and behaviors that keep us stuck in cycles.
We first identified the cycle we want to break, and then identified who we want to be (rather than focusing on what we don't want). Now that the goal was set, we then took a look inward, identifying unhealthy beliefs, thoughts and self talk that were undermining our efforts to move toward the desired behavior. Last week, we adopted new language and began making declarations over ourselves and the situations that were positive and enabling (vs negative and disabling declarations).
Finally, this week we will look closely at the unhealthy coping behaviors and habits with a goal to identify new, healthier ways of behaving.
Adopting new behavior is hard -in part because of those belief systems, the language and self talk that support the beliefs and also because of the actual behaviors that have become our way of living, our comfort zone. Habits.
I've highlighted three major areas for you to examine: people, places and things. An easy way to populate this list...ask yourself what triggers you, causing you setbacks on your movement toward the desired goals? This list is important because our behaviors, habits...coping is usually in response to these things.
People (who are regulars in your life)
Are there certain people associated with the habit you want to break? For example, you only do this or are more likely to do this when you are with a person or certain group. If yes, then consider distancing yourself in meaningful ways.
Places (you often visit or spend extended periods of time at)
Do you find yourself longing for the thing you’ve given up when you’re in certain environments? Again, to break the cycle, you’re going to need to be intentional about spending too much, if any time in these spaces.
Things (you do or possess)
What else triggers you to return to the behaviors you
are looking to change? Types of TV shows, music,etc
Once you've made that list, now consider how you can be intentional about minimizing interactions with the people or visits to these places. In some instances, this is easy, but there are some scenarios where this is harder. The other side of this coin is not just cutting out these people, places and things but also to identify the replacements. Without replacements, you run the risk of reverting to the same people, places and things that are unhealthy.
If you find you are getting stuck with how to move forward with new behaviors, this may be a great point to identify a mental health professional to help support your journey (if you haven't already). #drgiasays #Jesusplustherapy #intentionalliving #cbt #innerhealing