Spiritual Development Archives | Valencia Christian Counseling

Doing the Work: Self, Spiritual Goals, and Personal Growth

Doing the Work: Self, Spiritual Goals, and Personal Growth

Kate Motaung2024-12-06T17:58:34+00:00November 29th, 2024|Featured, Personal Development, Professional Development, Spiritual Development|

Spiritual goals and growth are not about practicing more religious habits. While those can be external reflections of a relationship with Christ, the root of it occurs in our hearts. Becoming more like Jesus originates in shared time and surrender. Sometimes, we have notions about what we think serving God is supposed to be. Yet, we haven't always inquired with our Father about what that looks like for us, considering how He formed us and fit us in various roles and responsibilities, with distinct spiritual aptitudes and natural abilities. God wants to shape our lives in ways that will not only transform us but also impact our environment. Sometimes, we are preoccupied with the reverse. We envision shifting outside conditions, believing that internal transformation pivots on shifting circumstances. This externalizes our joy, resting it on outside sources with no real guarantee that they will produce the difference we desire. A few well-placed changes may suffice temporarily, but they won't bring the abiding peace and long-term transformation that glorifies God and blesses us and others. Instead, Jesus invites us to journey with Him into our souls to dig deep concerning our spiritual goals and growth. As we yield, the Holy Spirit does the work of changing our lives from the inside out. He may rearrange circumstances, but He often begins with our character. Ultimately, He transforms us, enabling us to make environmental changes reflective of who He is and what He's doing within our souls. The following outline a few ways we can follow His lead, with spiritual integrity and practical simplicity. Self-Reflection The mirror of God's Word enables us to accurately see ourselves as God does (James 1:23-24). Often, the world's noise distracts and infiltrates our souls with toxins that blur our vision, blinding us to the influences that [...]

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Do You Need a Certified Life Coach?

Do You Need a Certified Life Coach?

Melissa Plantz2024-10-03T12:37:59+00:00August 29th, 2024|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Professional Development, Spiritual Development|

In a world of constant changes and transitions, you don’t have to navigate it alone. While friends and family can be a great source of support, there are limitations. They may offer advice that isn’t always helpful or overlook issues that could hinder your progress. This is where a certified life coach can step in. A certified life coach is an expert in a particular area based on their own experiences. Unlike a counselor or therapist, a certified life coach does not diagnose or treat mental health conditions. Instead, they focus on posing questions, active listening, and suggesting steps to help you reach your goals. Why you should consider a certified life coach. A life coach can be anyone who uses their skills, past experiences, and successes to help others reach their goals in the same area of expertise. The industry for life coaches is unregulated, but a certified life coach has the added advantage of having taken the required training and learned skills to communicate effectively with various people. If you plan to make a major change in your life or see if it is possible, a certified life coach can help you get started. You can find a coach in just about any industry. For example, if you are trying to lose weight and get healthy after years of dieting, a certified life coach in the health and wellness arena could help you set goals, choose one goal to focus on, and create a plan. As you progress toward your goal, the life coach supports you by checking in and helping you reassess and adjust, as necessary. What a certified life coach could do for you You want to find a certified life coach in the specific area you need to focus on. The following are common [...]

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Anger in the Book of Proverbs

Anger in the Book of Proverbs

Wade Van Staden2024-10-03T12:38:33+00:00May 29th, 2024|Anger Issues, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

The Bible offers much wisdom when it comes to understanding emotions and mental health. Proverbs, especially, has a lot to say on the topic of anger. The timeless truths in the book of Proverbs are well worth unpacking and examining because many apply to the situations we face today. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger - Proverbs 15:1, NIV We must all face conflict at some point in our lives. This can be a scary thing for many of us, especially those who grew up in homes that never experienced shouting, harsh words, or arguments. A benefit of being conflict-avoidant is that gentle communication is often the very thing that de-escalates a fiery exchange. Answering an angry person softly and being gentle with your words will catch the person off-guard and create space for calmer communication. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city - Proverbs 16:32, NIV It can feel empowering to vent anger because doing so will often get results. For example, bosses often express their anger at employees because they are in a position of power and may get away with it without losing their jobs. However, it will come at a cost. The atmosphere in the workplace will be affected, not to mention the mental health of the workers. Mature leaders know that valuing relationships is better for the longevity of business. The angry boss would do better to take time to investigate what frustrates him and communicate from a place of knowledge rather than anger. This principle applies to all types of relationships. Cool heads and patience will always prevail over outbursts and tantrums. A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them and you will have to do [...]

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Bible Verses about Friendship and Community

Bible Verses about Friendship and Community

Caitlin Mallery2024-10-03T12:57:56+00:00April 22nd, 2024|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Looking for Bible verses about friendship and community? If so, this article is for you. Lack of friendship and a sense of community produces loneliness which is currently one of the greatest crises on both a national and international level. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared loneliness to be a pressing global health threat, with the US surgeon general saying that its mortality effects are equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.” As people become more transitory in their lives, work for large corporations from their dining rooms, and their social lives consist of scrolling social media, a life of loneliness is easy to slip into. However, both medical and psychological science have done a great deal of research on the importance of relationships in human beings. This is not just in terms of marital and familial relationships. A community of friends and neighbors supporting and caring for one another is vital in the truest sense of the word, life-giving. Not all relationships and friendships are equally intimate, but they should all offer something of value, whether it be a neighbor to watch your pets when you are away, weekly small groups or book clubs, or the larger community of a church. Bible Verses About Friendship and Community What Jesus said Jesus created a group of intimate friends to share in the work of the kingdom of God. And the identifying marker of that kingdom is loving one another. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. – John 13:34-35, NIV Your brothers and sisters in Christ are the people with whom you should cultivate caring and supportive relationships. The earliest [...]

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Bible Verses about Forgiveness: The Wonder of Being Forgiven

Bible Verses about Forgiveness: The Wonder of Being Forgiven

Caitlin Mallery2024-10-03T12:57:22+00:00August 3rd, 2023|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

In this article, we'll consider several Bible verses about forgiveness and what it means to forgive and be forgiven. Forgiveness is a hard thing for many to imagine. Holding grudges, and keeping a record of slights, big or small, real or perceived, is the natural tendency of humans. It is a tendency based on self-preservation. When trauma and hurt have occurred, the instinct toward self-preservation is heightened. So why should you practice forgiving the pains that others have caused you? Bible Verses about Forgiveness Who benefits from forgiveness? The answer may surprise you, but it is not the forgiven party, but rather the one doing the forgiving. There may even be times where the forgiven person has no idea that they hurt you in the first place. Forgiveness will ultimately have a much deeper impact on you. You will experience peace of mind and heart. You will be able to set boundaries with toxic people. You will have grace for mistakes. You will be patient when things become complicated. Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. – Matthew 18:21-22, NIV This practice of forgiveness is not often a once-and-done experience. You may need to search your heart and do so repeatedly. By bringing it to God you become more aware of his great mercy and forgiveness toward you. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Colossians 3:13, NIV Do you need it? The short answer is YES. The longer answer is you probably don’t even know all the things for which you [...]

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10 Bible Passages About Grief

10 Bible Passages About Grief

Kate Motaung2024-10-30T10:47:13+00:00February 16th, 2022|Featured, Grief Counseling, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

Though it is a natural part of life, we don’t like grief, and it can make us and others around us feel awkward and uncomfortable. Still, everyone will face occasions for grief since loss comes in many forms: the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job or an opportunity, the loss of a relationship, the loss of physical abilities associated with aging or illness, and even moving which involves the losses of neighborhood, community, and associations such as your church or gardening club. 10 Helpful Bible Passages about Grief The Bible offers a forthright approach to grief and can provide tremendous comfort for those who grieve. The Bible can also give you words for comforting others in their times of grief. Below are ten Bible passages about grief. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance… – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, 4 You will have experiences common to everyone, such as birth and death, planting and harvesting, weeping, and laughing, mourning, and dancing. You can probably fill in the blanks with times and seasons of your own, like working and resting, sleeping, and rising, learning, and teaching, parenting, and grandparenting. Each of these activities may also present the risk of grief that comes with the inherent risks involved with loving others. However, the circle will keep turning, and times and seasons will change. You can take comfort in the knowledge that others understand what you’re going through, and that you will not actively mourn forever. Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am [...]

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