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Do You and Your Spouse-to-Be Need Premarital Counseling?

Do You and Your Spouse-to-Be Need Premarital Counseling?

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2024-07-10T09:48:57+00:00May 3rd, 2024|Couples Counseling, Featured, Premarital Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Whenever you’re faced with a decision whether to do something or not, it’s always wise to ask what the benefits and risks are of doing it, and the downsides of going the other way. To be sure, we don’t always know how things will end, and some decisions are ultimately a gamble. However, in some instances, we can look at the evidence available and make an informed decision. When considering marriage, this can be helped by premarital counseling. In a romantic relationship, there is likely no bigger step that the couple can take than deciding to get married. By getting married, you’re binding your lives together socially, legally, and spiritually. It’s a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, and that’s often something that’s emphasized as couples make their vows to each other. As you head into marriage, being fully equipped to handle the journey ahead makes sense. The ins and outs of premarital counseling Premarital counseling is a form of talk therapy (psychotherapy) that is designed to equip couples on the road toward marriage with the wisdom they require to make an informed decision about their future together. Premarital counseling equips a couple by exploring the issues that typically come up in married life, and that have the biggest potential to undermine a marriage and its success. Each married couple is unique, but some common issues come up again and again as reasons why marital discord occurs. These issues include money, sex, expectations around roles in the household, children, relating to the in-laws, setting goals, their understanding of marriage, and handling conflict. When couples find themselves in counseling, or going through divorce, these are the issues that come up most often. When a couple goes for premarital counseling, it’s an opportunity for them to explore these issues and [...]

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Every Good Gift: Overcoming Rejection and Insecurity

Every Good Gift: Overcoming Rejection and Insecurity

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2024-07-10T09:48:03+00:00April 15th, 2024|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

There are countless ways that we may experience rejection. From childhood to adulthood, these wounds are usually inflicted by those with whom we felt safe such as parents, partners, or other influential people. When we are experiencing the fallout from disapproval, denied love, attention, or interest, it is important that we soak in the Truth of God’s Word as our remedy. Although the enemy seeks to destroy us with perception, whether it is how we perceive others or how we believe that they see us, he operates in lies. While everyone may not receive the gift of who we are, we still have immeasurable value. When we elevate the opinion of people above our Maker, we afflict our souls with shame and rejection. As a result, we partner with insecurity and agree with a lowly self-view that God didn’t create or endorse. Although others may have rejected you, the Father does not. Others may have withdrawn themselves from you, but you can embrace the self-compassion and grace to heal and redeem what is broken and lost. Search Scripture and find where you are seen and known, accepted, and beloved as the Father’s dear child. Fight rejection by agreeing with God’s Word Break up with the wrong view that suggests you are inadequate in any way. The voice of the accuser often works against us to promote insecurity and disconnection from our true identity. When we consistently read and hear the Truth of God’s Word, we train our souls to identify with it personally. When we submit ourselves to God’s authority, despite what our emotions and experiences may scream, we transform and evolve. This frees us to encounter and discover who God knew was there all along. Acknowledge what the Father calls good You worship God when you agree with [...]

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God’s Remedy for Parental Regret and Reconciliation

God’s Remedy for Parental Regret and Reconciliation

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2024-07-10T09:49:38+00:00March 15th, 2024|Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

While some parents are truly barbaric and abusive, inflicting untold trauma and pain on their children that will scar them for life and have a generational impact, the majority love their children and do the very best that they can for them, though parental regret may still affect them. Unfortunately, as sinners in a broken world, every parent will make mistakes that they look back on with regret. As children, we are not able to see our family situation clearly, and it is often only when we have reached adulthood, and possibly have a family of our own, that we look back and critique how our parents raised us. Parental regret and reconciliation can go hand in hand and can either be toward our children or simply between oneself and God. A growing culture of estrangement Parental regret and reconciliation is an age-old concept, and yet it seems to be especially topical in our modern society, where there is perhaps a greater focus on self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Feeling regret at mistakes made in parenting is seen almost as a badge of honor and is a sign that we tried our best. They could also have been brought into focus by our grown children, who display an attitude of blame for the things that wronged them and have perhaps followed them into adult life. While in the past, the biblical command to “Honor your parents” was more esteemed in society, today’s generation places more emphasis on excommunicating or getting estranged from parents whose stance on certain matters differed from their children’s views. Healthy conflict resolution for parental regret Regret is a difficult emotion to process. While the world follows the “no regrets” mantra, it simply isn’t possible to shrug off the sense that we did something that we wouldn’t [...]

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8 Ways to Boost Self-Improvement

8 Ways to Boost Self-Improvement

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2024-07-16T11:31:17+00:00February 9th, 2024|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

We all have our moments of doubt. We doubt our self-image, confidence, and ability, especially if we have faced a letdown such as betrayal, trauma, or loss. Because of this, we can all benefit by self-improvement. To gain our confidence back, we need to invest in ourselves. We need to improve. Many American citizens (around 40%) work on improving themselves, and the personal development industry brings in an estimated $11 billion annually in the U.S. We feel the need to be more than we are, the version of ourselves we have settled for. Self-improvement can help deepen our relationship with God, our identity in Him, and our personal and professional relationships. Tips to boost self-improvement Are you looking for ways to boost your self-confidence and work on self-improvement? There are several habits you can form that will make a difference. The secret is adopting each task as a habit. You can change your life by practicing each habit consistently, making it a lifestyle. Consider what a difference a week, month, and year can make if you consistently practice these habits. Live a healthy lifestyle What you put into your body and how you treat that body reflects in your physical and mental health. Most people do not understand the mind-body connection, but if you follow a healthy lifestyle by eating nutritious food in moderate quantities and exercising consistently, you will improve much more than just your physical health. Stay teachable Never stop learning. Researchers now know that the brain continues to make new neural pathways throughout our lives. When you learn and repeat a new skill, you create a neural pathway. Staying teachable and setting goals to learn something new every few months will help you grow. Embrace courage Do you want a quick boost in confidence? Do something [...]

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Pushing Away From Emotional Eating

Pushing Away From Emotional Eating

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2023-12-29T12:06:37+00:00December 29th, 2023|Coaching, Eating Disorders, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development|

There is no getting around the fact that our bodies need food to survive. It is the way we get nutrition and energy. Food is a central part of life. There are times when it is the centerpiece at a social event. Eating has become more than just a means of survival. It has become a way for us to connect with friends and family. We create a special menu for every event in life. It is no surprise that because of this connection to food, there has become a concerning issue with its abuse. There are so many ways that food has become the center of health concerns. Pushing away from emotional eating means teaching ourselves how to use food as a means of nutrition rather than coping. Emotional eating can be triggered by various situations. These triggers can be internal and external depending on the person and the situation. Stress at work or home is one of the more common causes, but relationship and financial struggles can also be external triggers. Internal causes for eating issues usually revolve around restrictive diets or dieting history. Ways to stop emotional eating. Learning to change a habit can be hard and even more so with a behavior such as emotional eating. One of the most important ways to help with emotional eating is to understand the emotions that cause the behavior. Pushing away from emotional eating is an intentional action aimed at making a change. Here are a few ways to help stop emotional eating: Create a diary of emotions. This can help you identify the emotions that trigger this eating behavior. Make note of what happened, your feelings, and when you decided to eat. This will take some practice. It will not be a perfect tool, but it can [...]

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9 Reasons Why Male Friendships Are Important

9 Reasons Why Male Friendships Are Important

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2023-11-20T15:15:21+00:00November 20th, 2023|Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Relationship Issues|

From the time they are boys, men are indoctrinated into a world that does them harm more than good in the long run. Over the past couple of years, there have been conversations about toxic masculinity, but we need to start having conversations about some of the stereotypes and expectations put on men that are detrimental to their health and well-being. One of those aspects that needs to be revisited is the role and importance of male friendships. Many young boys found it easy to form and maintain friendships when they were young. It was an integral part of who they were. As they grow older though, these friendships most of the time dwindle. One of the contributing factors has been this harmful notion that men need to be stoic in their manner and learn to stand on their own; masculinity demands autonomy. The concept of having close friendships, especially those you share your life and feelings with is frowned upon, which then makes it difficult for men to seek healthy relationships with other men. With loneliness being a global health pandemic, it is important to advocate for male friendships. Even in the wild, animals rely on each other for their sole survival. We are no different. Human beings are social being and our health and well-being is tied to our community and our relationships, hence having male friendships is vital for other men. To counteract loneliness and isolation, which have negative effects on men’s health, it is important as a society we encourage and make it normal for men to have close, dependable, and strong friendships. Why male friendships are important. Emotional Support. Men also have emotional needs. By having friendships, men can have safe spaces where they can be vulnerable, share their fears, and seek emotional support [...]

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Stable in the Storm: Bible Verses for Finding Strength in Hard Times

Stable in the Storm: Bible Verses for Finding Strength in Hard Times

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2023-11-10T13:37:20+00:00November 10th, 2023|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

Whether we view life as a roller coaster or a carousel, the endless motion can dizzy us and throw us off course without the stability of God’s Word. However, God’s gives us strength in hard times to emerge from every challenge, thriving and encountering a fresh dimension of glory. Jesus has already secured victory, having conquered every principality and power that masterminds the evil we see playing out in the world (Colossians 2:15; Ephesians 6:12). While this may be part of our reality, trials are not meant to defeat us, but rather to learn facets of God’s character and become more like Jesus. While we learn much through these experiences, we can refer to the Scripture to gather the grace needed to chart through difficulty and Bible verses to find strength in hard times. God’s Word releases purpose. When we read, study, and apply Scriptural principles, we heal, grow, and change. Furthermore, we gather insight into our own identity and kingdom authority as sons and daughters. God has fashioned us with a holy calling that we don’t have to cower from. We can walk confident and worthy of this, simply because He has called us (2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 4:1; 1 Peter 2:9). The unique assignments that God has prepared us for await us to exercise the natural and spiritual gifts with which He has equipped us (Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 12:4, 12-13). In doing so, the active nature of God’s Word works from within to help us advance the gospel, discipling others through our testimony and life transformation. God’s Word releases power. There are countless unknowns we will encounter in life. However, the one answer we need above all is Jesus Himself, the Word of God (John 1:1,14). When we arm ourselves, resolving to meditate on Bible verses [...]

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Getting Over an Affair: Can Your Marriage Survive It?

Getting Over an Affair: Can Your Marriage Survive It?

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2023-08-25T14:06:01+00:00August 24th, 2023|Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Infidelity and Affairs, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Infidelity can cause gut-wrenching heartache and deep emotional pain that has a lasting impact. If you were the betrayed spouse, you may wonder if getting over an affair is even possible. The answer is yes. No matter how deep your hurt, there is still hope. God heals broken hearts and can restore what has been lost. Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. – Maria Robinson If your partner is genuinely repentant for his or her behavior, and you are both willing and committed to do whatever it takes to repair the damage, your relationship can be healed and rebuilt. With faith, patience, dedication, and God’s help, trust can be restored and your connection strengthened. Your marriage can not only survive but emerge stronger than before. Necessary stages in getting over an affair and healing your marriage Atonement. The first step is an apology without excuses. The unfaithful partner needs to sincerely regret what he or she has done and want to make things right. Grief. Give yourselves time to grieve. Healing involves mourning and new growth. You need to grieve the loss of the vision you had for your shared future and leave the affair behind. These are necessary before you can start building a new vision and become new partners for each other. Insight. Repairing a marriage requires an honest, non-blameful examination and mutual exchange of the state of your relationship before the affair. The unfaithful partner needs to be upfront about why it happened. Not to try and justify it, but rather to provide insight. Look at what may not have been working in the marriage that ultimately led to an open door for someone else to walk into. Also, share the wants and [...]

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3 Fun Activities to Do with Your Teen

3 Fun Activities to Do with Your Teen

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2023-08-17T19:03:26+00:00August 17th, 2023|Christian Counseling For Teens, Family Counseling, Featured, Relationship Issues|

When was the last time you did something fun with your teen? Most parents must go back to before their teen years to answer this. Although your teen is growing up, and he or she has changed, you can still have fun with him or her. The key to having fun with your teen is not to force it. Teens don’t enjoy being forced to do things. Part of what teens long for is the ability to make decisions for themselves. When you force them to do something, they will likely decline or make the time miserable for both of you. Instead, try these fun activities to do with your teen and give them some control of the situation. Giving teens the ability to choose goes a long way to creating trust and connection. 3 Fun Activities to Do with Your Teen 1. Go to a game or concert with your teen. Think about what your teen likes. Does she love soccer? Does he always listen to a certain kind of music? See what you can do that falls within his or her interest. It may not be what you would choose, but this is about doing something your teen loves so you can be with him or her. Try going to a local sporting event or check out a live band at a restaurant. See what your teen might like and give it a try. Remember, the key is for you to try something he or she likes without judgment. 2. Play their game or try their app. Don’t do this on their devices but see what you can learn about the games or apps teens enjoy. Is there a video game your son is always playing, an online puzzle your teen is always solving, or a social [...]

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How to Deal With Anxiety: Finding Help from God’s Word

How to Deal With Anxiety: Finding Help from God’s Word

By Flower Mound Christian Counseling|2023-08-07T14:08:18+00:00August 7th, 2023|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Out of all human emotions, anger and fear are probably the most problematic. Both emotions can have significant consequences for our lives if they are not handled well. In this article, we will discuss how to deal with anxiety by exploring what the Bible has to say about it. What does anxiety look and feel like? Fear goes by many names – anxiety, worry, distress, dismay, trepidation, dread, and many more. It varies by degree of intensity, from a feeling of slight unease up to absolute terror. We can express our fear in many ways: Repetitive, racing, or spiraling thoughts. Sweaty palms, increased heart rate, dry mouth, a “pit” in your stomach, difficulty sleeping, or disordered eating. Withdrawal from or avoidance of certain relationships or environments. Hampered ability to focus or pay attention, or by a feeling of paralysis in deciding what to do next. Sometimes fear is not immediately obvious. It can manifest as other emotions such as anger or be expressed through behaviors such as a preoccupation with cleaning or becoming organized, for example. What degree of fear do you most often feel, or frequently becomes an issue for you? How do you express your anxiety? What is the underlying reason for anxiety? The underlying reason for anxiety has to do with control. They are two sides of the same coin. We want to control something, but we can’t, so we become anxious about it. The common factor across every reason for anxiety is uncertainty. We feel vulnerable because we cannot control something and thus the future is uncertain. What do you feel anxious about? Naming your worries helps you to see that they are finite and specific rather than endless. Writing them down helps this process and helps to rest your mind from the thoughts chasing themselves [...]

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