Maybe, like me, you’ve made a mess of things. You’ve given your life to Jesus, received his forgiveness, and are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit - but that hasn’t stopped you from making an unrecognizable mess of things. There are days when I’m overwhelmed by my ability to choose the wrong response; the wrong response to hardships that aren’t necessarily my fault and wrong responses to opportunities God has brought my way. It’s as if God has dressed me in wonderful “church clothes” and I immediately run outside and play in the mud, only to return to Jesus with my head hung low and hands lifted, filled with mud and shirt covered. If you can resígnate with that experience then maybe it will do your heart well, with mine, to be reminded of the ever-sufficient mercy of God.

The Apostle Paul made it his aim to face trials with a similar posture as Jesus, who “for the joy that was set before him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2a). In saying Paul endured his troubles, and lived his life, in a manner worthy of Jesus we are saying his displayed similar attitude of heart and trust in the Father. Paul exhorted the church in Colossae to do the same, and God continues to encourage You and I to live worthy of Jesus as we heed Paul’s instructions.

Controlling your thoughts can be difficult to do. Mainly because this world is full of messages being directed at you. Finding peace can be challenging in this bombardment of ideas and advertisements. Most advice I’ve read concerning finding peace revolves around finding time to spend isolation away from others and focus on controlling your thoughts. While I agree that this is good practice, this is only half of what the Apostle Paul recommends in Philippians 4. Let’s look at it;

When does a person know that they are healed enough to begin providing care for others? From a biblical perspective, I want to answer the question of when the transition from healed to helping should happen, and when a person with areas of struggle, weaknesses, and personal trauma can know that they are well enough to counsel others.

Living at peace with others depends on our ability not to ignore but to resolve conflict with others. The acronym “P.A.U.S.E.” will help you to approach conflict resolution with intentionality and objectivity.

Confrontation does not have to be damaging to the relationship. The Bible instructs us to lovingly confront, when necessary. The worksheet will help you to work through knowing when it is necessary to confront another and how to do it in a way that serve each party and the relationships.

It can happen in every relationship - a communication breakdown. Communication can be like a car; you’re cruising along (probably on Cruise Control) when suddenly, there is a breakdown. Repairing is necessary when things have broken down, and all your attempts to adjust and compromise have failed. Here are three tips for repairing a communication breakdown in your relationship.

Healthy boundaries begin when we understand the things for which we are responsible, those for which others are responsible, and those for which God takes responsibility. Use this document to identify and work through who is responsible for what in your present situation.

God’s Word encourages us to take every thought captive to obedience to Christ and invites us to experience transformation by renewing our minds (Romans 12:2). The purpose of this tool is to aid in processing challenging circumstances by identifying the thoughts that need to be taken captive and replacing those unbiblical thoughts with biblical, healthy thought patterns drawn from Scripture.

Satan, in his cunning, does not always resort to lies; he often employs the subtler tactic of redirecting your attention. The great aim of a lifestyle of worship and obedience to God is not a positive attitude or even an encouraged or peppy disposition. Worship is to focus on God.

As God calls us to address issues of the heart, he isn’t just wanting us to ensure that our emotions are in check, so to speak. He desires for our entire inner man to be brought into submission to his will for his glory and our greater good.

The state of your heart holds profound significance in the eyes of God. He is deeply cares for the condition of your inner being, seeking not just outward conformity but a genuine transformation from within. Here are three Bible verses that illustrate God's concern for your heart

Should the Christian trust his heart? The answer to this question is often an emphatic "no!" Frequently, counsel is given that we ignore our hearts and emotions or, at the very least, do not trust their leading as we aim to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

The Bible assures us that God is able to draw good from every trial (Romans 8:28). Inspired by Joseph's words in Genesis 50:20, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good," we find reassurance in the divine plan. Psalm 119:69 reinforces the truth that good pursues good in our lives. We can trust in His nature to bring positivity in the midst of challenges.

Anxiety can be a crippling experience. It can weigh you down and cause you to feel as though life is spinning out of control. Proverbs 12:25 says, Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.

There are many uncertainties and challenges you face every day. It can be easy to find yourself consumed by worry and anxiety about the future. However, in Matthew chapter 6, Jesus provides a profound weapon for overcoming anxiety - daily faithfulness!

In a world where our humility and grace often extend only as far as it's convenient for us, the example set by Jesus can be an inspiration.

Caring for your mental health shouldn't be reactionary but a continuous, intentional practice. Incorporating these suggestions into your routine acts as a preemptive measure, reinforcing your emotional resilience and nurturing a steadfast foundation for holistic well-being.

Do not quit. You are not defeated. God may simply be giving you victory in portions that you are able to sustain. Israel's journey to the Promised Land, as recorded in the Book of Exodus, unveils a timeless truth: the attainment of God’s promises often unfolds gradually, in measured steps.

"Jesus wept" dismantles the notion that Christians must suppress their emotions or present a facade of perpetual serenity. It signifies that faith isn't about masking our humanity but embracing it wholeheartedly. It's about being genuine in our joys, sorrows, doubts, and fears.