Biblical Counseling - The Church at Liberty Park

We don’t all have the ability to tell a story that can gain the attention of the crowd. But, we all have stories to be told. Our most defining stories are, probably, going to be the ins and outs of everyday life. Those are the stories that define what is important to us. Sometimes, it seems that as we mature, our stories become more authentic and revealing about how we view ourselves and our life experiences. Because we might not be that rapt storyteller, we might hesitate telling our stories. That should not stop us. Our stories and life experiences are like an umbrella covering our past experiences that helps make sense of our present situation which can have an empowering influence over our future choices. If you need someone to talk to, please go to libertypark.org/biblical-counseling for help.

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]



Photo by Natasha Brazil on Unsplash

We know the truth: we are commanded to forgive; withholding forgiveness can be harmful to our well-being. Yet, even knowing these realities, sometimes we choose to withhold forgiveness. The operative word is “choose.” We have the freedom to choose to forgive. But a lot of times that is a difficult choice to make. Usually, the desire not to forgive is the result of finding ourselves in circumstances where we have been hurt, rejected, or disappointed. And, while your circumstances are hurtful you have every reason to feel hopeful. God would not give us a command we were not able to accomplish. Most people enter their adult years not emotionally prepared to forgive someone that has hurt them. Being told, as a child, to forgive others is not the same as having the desire in your heart to forgive that person. And, God is more interested in our heart. Even, knowing this, the path to forgiveness is rarely simple or quick. If you or someone you are concerned about is being affected by a feeling of unforgiveness, please go to libertypark.org/biblical-counseling for help.

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]




Photo by Gus Moretta on Unsplash

Can others tell when we are at our breaking point? We try to keep up with the pattern and responsibilities of life, but our body and mind has just had enough. God is compassionately aware of our human limitations. “For He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust.” Psalm 103:14). Admitting our need for help is a good thing. Yet this is something that our human nature, most often, struggles against. But if we consistently resist help we might find ourselves deplete of resources to take care of ourselves and those who need us. If you are in a season of emotional vulnerability and would like to talk to someone, please go to libertypark.org/biblical-counseling for help.

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]




Photo by Dev Asangbam on Unsplash

Conflict

Where two or more are gathered together there will probably, at some point, be conflict. While most of the time conflict is associated with a negative experience, that is not always true. Sometimes conflict isn’t necessarily bad. God created us as unique individuals with different desires, convictions and temperaments. We do live in a fallen world with our own different circumstances and while some conflicts can leave us energized, most of the time we are left exhausted. Our attempts to resolve conflict tend to run the gamut from attack mode in a desire to win a conflict at all costs to denial mode to avoid a conflict at all costs. Extreme responses in either direction can equal greater losses to all involved. God has addressed conflicts in the Bible. He has explained why conflicts occur and how we should deal with them. Conflicts provide an opportunity to bring God glory, to celebrate how He has created us uniquely, and to learn to accept and work with others with differing views. If you are struggling with a conflict, please go to libertypark.org/biblical-counseling for help.

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]
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Photo by Sarah Kilian on Unsplash

Stress
Stress is a normal part of life and is used to describe how we feel when we don’t feel like we have adequate time or resources to deal with certain circumstances in our lives. These could be positive circumstances like planning a birthday celebration for a loved one or negative like dealing with a fractured relationship or unsettling financial issues. The amount of stress we experience corresponds to the amount of time and resources we feel like we have to devote to a certain situation. The less time or resources we feel we have the more stressful the event is and vice versa. Our bodies respond to high levels of stress and can have lasting effects on us.

One way to “dial down” stress in our lives is to ascertain what you are really responsible for. As women, we tend to overreach our level of responsibility which can only add more stress. Distinguishing between areas of responsibility as opposed to areas of care and concern is important because problems can arise. Sometimes talking out a situation with someone can help better align the areas where God wants us to take responsibility as opposed to just exercising care and concern. If you or someone you are concerned about needs to talk about something going on in their lives, please consider reaching out to our counseling ministry at libertypark.org/biblical-counseling

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]

Photo by Engin Aky on Unsplash

Depression
Depression can be a difficult road to be on and can cause pain, not only for the one suffering, but also for those closest to them. Depression covers a wide range from having a mindset that is stuck - unable to make decisions or accomplish anything, including your normal, everyday work and ministry- to brief mood fluctuations or the feelings of sadness, disappointment or irritation that everyone can experience.

The first step towards freedom from depression is to determine all the contributing factors. Addressing physical factors is important. Note that God ministered to the physical needs of the prophet Elijah before He addressed Elijah’s deeper cause of depression in 1 Kings 19. A complete physical by a medical doctor is very important. If you are still struggling, please consider reaching out to our counseling ministry at libertypark.org/biblical-counseling

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]

Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash

Memories
Memories have a powerful influence over all of us. Pleasant memories are wonderful, but unpleasant memories can, sometimes, make us feel like we can barely cope to get through the day. If you struggle with an unpleasant memory of a single past event or maybe some chronic pattern of wrong behavior, you are not alone. And, most importantly, you have hope.

Most people, naturally, want bad memories to disappear. The world offers a menu of escapes to erase these memories. This, we know, is a temporary solution that can sometimes have unwanted consequences. Or, you can adopt an attitude of “I’m just going to put this behind me and move on with my life.” While this approach might sound attractive, it misses God’s greater goal for us which is making us look more like Christ. Don’t let the memory of your pain have more strength than the hope that you have in God’s deliverance.

If you or someone you care about is weighed down by unpleasant memories and needs someone to talk with, please contact us at The Church at Liberty Park: libertypark.org/biblical-counseling

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]
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Photo by Luis Galvaz on Unsplash

Worry, Anxiety, and Fear

Although God has given us the ability to experience fear, the Bible teaches that a paralyzing fear of people, things, and circumstances does not come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). God has given us the spirit of “power and love and self-control” and because of this we can face extreme difficulties and trials without fear.

If you already know that you are in a struggle with anxiety or fear, you have probably tried some approach to control it or have just tried to get through each day hoping that by a miracle you will just “get better.” Any of these solutions are just temporary. God created us with the ability to form habits. If we feel like we are in control of a situation and we get temporary satisfaction from trying to control that situation, this habit can become overwhelming and, eventually, is what becomes our idol. Emotions reveal our hearts. What originates in the heart flows out through the body. And, physical responses of anxiety and fear can be intense, scary, and a habitual part of our lives. But, just as we have developed the habitual thinking that leads to anxiety and fear, we can develop new habit patterns that give us a God-given remedy. Is this a process? Yes, most likely. Will it be difficult at times? Yes, most likely. Is it ultimately worth it? Yes, definitely.

If you or someone you might be concerned for is experiencing anxiety or fear, please go to libertypark.org/biblical-counseling for help.

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]

Photo by Ian on Unsplash

You’ll Never Walk Alone
The church is the congregation of all who have been “born again” through faith in Jesus Christ and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:12-14). This means the church is a “who”, not a “what”, and we do not stop being the church when we step out of the building. The “who” of the church has no racial, social or gender barriers (Galatians 3:28). When Paul wrote about the church being a “body”, he was showing us that under the church’s purpose was the unification of believers to be the hands, heart and eyes of Jesus on earth (1 Corinthians 12:14-20).

God created us with a body and a soul-an outer and an inner man. Taking care of what is happening in the inner man is very important if the church is to function as designed. Everybody, at one time or another, experiences fear, anxiety, sadness, loneliness, depression, fractures in relationships, and the list goes on (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). It was never God’s intent for us to walk “alone”.

If you are in the midst of a struggle or need to talk to someone, please contact us at libertypark.org/biblical-counseling When believers unite within the church there is comfort, compassion and a strong bond not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

We don’t all have the ability to tell a story that can gain the attention of the crowd. But, we all have stories to be told. Our most defining stories are, probably, going to be the ins and outs of everyday life. Those are the stories that define what is important to us. Sometimes, it seems that as we mature, our stories become more authentic and revealing about how we view ourselves and our life experiences. Because we might not be that rapt storyteller, we might hesitate telling our stories. That should not stop us. Our stories and life experiences are like an umbrella covering our past experiences that helps make sense of our present situation which can have an empowering influence over our future choices. If you need someone to talk to, please go to libertypark.org/biblical-counseling for help.

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]
-
-
-
-
Photo by Natasha Brazil on Unsplash

We know the truth: we are commanded to forgive; withholding forgiveness can be harmful to our well-being. Yet, even knowing these realities, sometimes we choose to withhold forgiveness. The operative word is “choose.” We have the freedom to choose to forgive. But a lot of times that is a difficult choice to make. Usually, the desire not to forgive is the result of finding ourselves in circumstances where we have been hurt, rejected, or disappointed. And, while your circumstances are hurtful you have every reason to feel hopeful. God would not give us a command we were not able to accomplish. Most people enter their adult years not emotionally prepared to forgive someone that has hurt them. Being told, as a child, to forgive others is not the same as having the desire in your heart to forgive that person. And, God is more interested in our heart. Even, knowing this, the path to forgiveness is rarely simple or quick. If you or someone you are concerned about is being affected by a feeling of unforgiveness, please go to libertypark.org/biblical-counseling for help.

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]
-
-
-
-
Photo by Gus Moretta on Unsplash

Can others tell when we are at our breaking point? We try to keep up with the pattern and responsibilities of life, but our body and mind has just had enough. God is compassionately aware of our human limitations. “For He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust.” Psalm 103:14). Admitting our need for help is a good thing. Yet this is something that our human nature, most often, struggles against. But if we consistently resist help we might find ourselves deplete of resources to take care of ourselves and those who need us. If you are in a season of emotional vulnerability and would like to talk to someone, please go to libertypark.org/biblical-counseling for help.

-Leigh Simmons
[email protected]
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-
-
Photo by Dev Asangbam on Unsplash