Emotional Management

How Can I Stop Worrying?

5/17/2015

by Deb Toering, LPC, NCC, BCPCC

Deb Toering is a Board Certified Professional Christian Counselor (BCPCC) in private practice at Trinity Family Counseling Center. In addition to working with a wide range of client populations and presenting issues, Deb is also an engaging public speaker. She has spoken in front of various groups across a range of topics including marriage, bullying, ADHD/ADD, and teen leadership.

From a human perspective, we have much to feel anxious about.

Can we pay our bills? What will be the result of that last medical test? Can I forgive someone who hurt me deeply? Will we have money for retirement? What happens if I lose my job? Will my children be strong enough to escape the temptations that could cause them so much grief? Will they be successful and happy? Our worries are many, and increasing daily.

From God’s perspective, we need not be anxious. Is it possible to live without worry? You may think that your troubles are too big and too numerous. Does God really care about you? Yes! He knows our natural tendency toward worry, so He tells us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7

He tells us to bring EVERY concern to Him in prayer; to thank Him in advance for His answers. Thanksgiving conveys our faith in God who is trustworthy, who is sovereign, who loves us unconditionally, and causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called to His purpose. Romans 8:28

The result of doing what God asks of us is a peace that is beyond our human understanding. Goodbye worry! (At least until the next crisis!)

How Are You Managing Your Emotional World?

3/29/2015

by Tonya Ratliff, LPC, NCC, ACS

Tonya Ratliff is the Owner and Director of Counseling Services for Trinity Family Counseling Center. In addition to her individual, couple, and family clients, Tonya is also the lead facilitator of the Walk With Me® Grief Support Group, an aftercare program sponsored by Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Home in Utica, MI.

Have you ever tried to keep a beach ball under the surface of the water in a swimming pool?

The task requires A LOT of energy and focus, and ultimately results in our giving up when we can no longer sustain the effort. We reach a point of exhaustion and finally allow the ball to breach the surface of the water with a force of explosive power. We laugh, we giggle, and we finally relax our body after the effort required to keep the ball submerged has ended.

Have you ever realized the concentrated psychic vigilance you are exerting when you try to keep your emotions ‘pushed down?’ Like the submerged beach ball, our emotions need to surface and be acknowledged. Then, and only then, can we relax and let go of the preoccupation with avoiding and guarding our feelings of anxiety, depression and of course, anger. The fear of finally letting our feelings emerge can paralyze us, leaving us preoccupied, and with no energy for enjoying the moments of our daily lives.

Can you begin to imagine how your life might be different if you were to let your feelings be known to others? Instead of exhausting yourself with the relentless pursuit of keeping that ball of emotion contained?