Articles about Comfort
Shame vs. Honesty
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Shame is the single most inhibitor to any individual's development of honesty. God's proomise of honesty to us paves the way to our increased ability to relate honestly with Him and with those around us.
Worshipping Comfort
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Comfort is natural and necessary in our developmental processes. The lack of comfort may set off a cycle of thinking and doing that feeds an inappropriate focus for comfort.
The Comfort of Position
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
The reality of our position with our Heavenly Father is one that is filled with comfort and help during our difficult times.
Attachment Wounds: Ten Steps That Heal
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Childhood story illustrating bonding and attachment wounds and ten steps for healing
A Christmas Sabbath
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Describes how behaviors and a mindset of peace and rest can bring us closer to God in the Christmas season
Christmas Inspirations
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
What do the Bethlehem manger and a brother dying of AIDS have in common? Article depicts how life-giving responses in difficult circumstances can bring hope and encouragement.
When Bereavement and Holidays Walk Together
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Roles and traditions between family members, especially during the holidays, can be altered when a loved one dies. Article brings tips on coping with this sensitive family issue.
Emotional Healing for Adults Through the Inner Child
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Christ's example of love and attention to children can be a model for adults to reconnect with childhood experiences to restore simple joys, spontaneity, and hope.
Easter Clothes: Throwing Off Cloaks of Unforgiveness
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Forgiveness brings emotional and spiritual healing. Using Biblical references to Palm Sunday and Easter, and a story from Corrie Ten Boom, this article shows how the old "clothes" or habits around unforgiveness hamper our freedom and joy.
Taking Care of Yourself Over Holidays After a Loss
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
After the death of a loved one, various holidays are difficult, especially Christmas. Here are specific ideas for moving through any holiday with gentleness toward yourself and your situation.
Words When It Matters
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Our hearts go out to those who have just experienced loss. What can we say to them? This article explains the importance of words to the grieving person and gives five great ideas of what is helpful to share.
My Child Won't Go To School
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
School phobia, a severe stress response toward school is a very perplexing condition. Suddenly a child simply will not go to school and becomes unusually forceful in their not wanting to go into the school routine. Unusual crying, sitting down, not moving, screaming, running away from the parent, refusal to leave the car to go into the school, are some of the symptoms in this condition. This article gives a thorough overview of the condition and ideas of what to do with school phobia.
Happy Kids, Peaceful Parents
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Nature is filled with the very nature of God Himself. Article explains how God can use His creation for uniting families through opening up communication, and simple enjoyment of one another.
Women, Grief, and Jesus
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Women experiencing grief and loss can also know deep comfort, individual attention, and a life-giving future through the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ’s loving attention to a mother who lost her only son from the gospel of Luke, is explored in this article.
God's Christmas List
Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW
If we find ourselves overwhelmed, anxious, lonely or fearful during this Christmas season, we can take heart and reflect on God’s love. God has made all the necessary preparations for Christmas.
Morning Star: All Through The Night
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Poetry and scripture are inter-weaved in this article to proclaim one of the greatest Christmas truths: Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, knew earthly sorrow, so that we can have hope on earth and ultimate hope in heaven.
Picture Perfect: How God "Sees" Our Troubles
Mary Lambrecht, M.S. LMFT
Even Jesus' disciples struggled to picture certain promises that Jesus reassured them of. This article will outline scriptural truths in getting beyond our circumstances, to trusting and believing in His peace and His path for our lives.
Helping Children with Nightmares
Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW
To children, nightmares are very real and they do not have the knowledge or experience to understand it was just a bad dream. This is a perfect time when parents can be very instrumental in helping their children. This article provides some helpful hints for parents to help comfort their little ones after a nightmare.
Promises! Promises!
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
As many say and the rest of us believe, the holidays push our coping skills to the limit. Often the things that carry us through have nothing to do with gifts, meals, or concerts. Precious memories, promises fulfilled and God's sustaining presence is what carries us. This article urges each one of us to remember the promises God has graciously provided as a way of coping with the stresses the holiday season brings.
Forgiveness Means Time
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Not too long ago I met with an eleven-year-old girl who was being adopted by her stepfather. Her father left her mother when she was two months old refusing to have anything to do with them. This she knew only because of what had been passed on through stories from family members. After a few minutes of talking about her experience, she dropped silent, tears running down her face. We sat together for some time in silence. Struggling to talk she managed to get out the words, “I have to get through the tears first.” The simple wisdom of her words seemed so clear. She was not concerned so much with understanding why, as she was with allowing her grief to be just what it was: grief. We often rob ourselves of an opportunity to experience God’s love for us when we try to cover our grief with intellectual analysis, busyness, or plain old denial. The death of my brother parallels this. For seven years I attempted to cover the fact I felt grief. Only after allowing the grief to be present and allowing God to comfort me did I become comfortable with the fact that there was a loss. The understanding that followed altered my character, personality, and life’s work. In time, this eleven-year-old girl may not grieve as hard for her situation. In the meantime her focus is simply to cry and receive comfort.
Make a Healthier Choice
Carrissa Pannuzzo, M.A., LMFT, LPC
We’ve all got habits we’d like to change. Maybe it’s a disrespectful tone taken with a spouse or child at certain moments. Maybe it’s the tendency to go to things like coffee or the internet for comfort instead of God. We’d all like to make healthier choices but are often at a loss at how to change. Here’s a quick guide to use as a tool to help you break out of these unhealthy sinful patterns: 1. Present your concern to God. Ask for guidance, wisdom, and power. 2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 2. Take a break and breathe. When you find yourself in the situation during which you choose your unhealthy, sinful habit: Stop. Don’t do anything. Don’t react. Just give yourself a moment to think. While you’re doing this take a few deep breaths to calm yourself and let the thinking part of your brain kick in. 3. Identify and analyze. HALT! What’s going on with you at the time of your unhealthy behavior? Are you (H)urting/(H)ungry, (A)ngry, (L)onely, (T)ired? (Think HALT.) Is what’s going on reminding you of something hurtful or frightening from the past? What’s really going on? 4. Choose a different behavior. You’ll likely find with God’s help and through developing the ability to stop yourself in the moment - that choosing the new healthy behavior is easier. It won’t be simple but, over time and with practice and prayer, God will help you change your habits and tendencies for the better.
The Home Place
Lynda Savage, M.S., LMFT, LPC
We long to belong. Where have we felt peace, acceptance and love? Often that "home" place is where we remember feeling comfortable and safe. God knows we long to feel these feelings and provides this safe place with Him.
Claim Your Land - Handout to Broadcasts 3554, 3555, 3556
Brenda Spina, M.S., LMFT, LPC
Claim Your Land Relationships Who has hurt you? How? Who are you holding a grudge against? Who are you jealous of and why? Who have you hurt? How did you hurt them? Who have you been critical of or gossiped about? Why? How have you attempted to place the blame on someone else? Priorities in Life What areas of your life have you turned over to the Lord? In what areas are you not putting God first? What in your past is keeping you from seeking and following God’s will for your life? Number the following: ____Career ____Family ____Church ____God ____Friendships ____Money ____Ministry/Volunteer What goals will you choose to focus on the next 90 days? Attitude What areas of your life are you thankful for? In the past, what things have you been ungrateful over? What causes you to lose your temper? To whom have you been sarcastic in the past? What in your past are you still worried about? How has your attitude improved? Integrity How have you exaggerated to make yourself look good? Does your walk match your talk at church, home, work, etc? In what areas have you used false humility to impress someone? Have any of your past business dealings been dishonest? Have you ever stolen things? Adapted from John Baker’s book, “Taking an Honest and Spiritual Inventory”, 1998
Holding On To Hope
Christine Vander Wielen, M.S.W., LCSW
Occasionally the only thing you can do for someone is to hope for them, until they can hope for themselves.
