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 self talk (part 2)
If you missed last week, please scroll down for the two posts and review.
It is time for your journal again!
recap:
Step 1: identify the thing (behavior, thought pattern) that you find yourself struggling with. What personal cycle do you want to break!
Step 2: reframe that "thing" from Step 1 into a goal. That is, what do you want to see, experience and do in your life? E.g. instead of withdrawing and becoming timid when faced with uncomfortable circumstances, I want to be assertive and use my voice.
Step 3: the inner work. You should have identified the negative and limiting thoughts and beliefs that kept you in the undesirable cycles.
Now, in this installment, Step 4 essentially is to continue to explore how an unhealthy core belief is manifesting in our self talk.
Self Talk by definition refers to our internal conversations. Yes, whether you admit it or not, you talk to yourself! Your self talk is an extension of your beliefs and thoughts.
Do you find yourself more times than not stating that you “can’t” as it relates to steps connected to achieving your goal? Here are some examples of negative self talk.
Disqualifying language
Words or phrases that we say to and about ourselves that suggests that we are ineligible or unfit for something. Disqualifying language is dismissive of your worthiness.
e.g. This is really all I deserve.
Defensive language
Words or phrases that we say to protect ourselves even when we are not being threatened.
e.g. Why is everyone judging me because I do _______. People should just leave me, be.
Doubt
Words or phrases that lack confidence in yourself, your skills/abilities.
e.g. It's highly unlikely that I could ever kick this habit.
Debilitative language
Words or phrases that we say to and about ourselves that harps on our inabilities and/or weaknesses. Debilitating self talk causes us to get stuck in ways similar to being threatened and freezing.
e.g. I'm not strong like (insert name of someone else), this is too hard.
Deflated language
Words or phrases that we say to and about ourselves that lacks confidence or optimism. If your self talk is deflated, you are likely to ruminate or focus on all that’s not working rather than looking for good.
e.g. I've been like this for so long, there is no hope.
Deficient language
Words or phrases that we say to and about ourselves that suggest we are not enough.
e.g. This is just me, I can't ever do better (more).
the question this week:
Which theme is characteristic of your self talk? How have these kept you stuck in unhealthy cycles?
Now, bring the goal to mind and think about what you have said about or to yourself about it. Has it been positive or is it more heavily on the negative. If negative, then you are less likely to achieve the goal because your mind is so important to goal attainment.
“For as he thinks within himself, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7 (TPT) #drgiasays #Jesusplustherapy #goalsetting #intentionalliving #digdeeper