https://asoundmindcounselor.wordpress.com/

A Sound Mind Counselor, Columbia, SC (2025)

12/15/2024

🎯The way that we speak to ourselves impacts us on every level: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
˗ˏˋ ✞ ˎˊ˗As a Christian, we are called to walk by faith believing on God's truths and promises and not dwelling in darkness, despair and defeat which comes soley from the enemy.

💡How should we talk to ourselves?
📢Declare victory in advance of life circumstances and future obstacles!
🙌Praise God for His grace and accept His forgiveness to live as an overcomer!
🗣️Voice confidence in God's truths and promises!

10/29/2024

📢Fear generates negative thoughts which fuels further worries, doubts and overthinking in an attempt to control the original fear.

🤔Why stay stuck in a fear-based cycle when God can give you true peace of mind?

Follow👇these steps go get control over your thoughts from a biblical perspective to achieve true peace of mind:
✅PAUSE your overthinking
✅IDENTIFY fears fueling your thoughts
✅DWELL on the Biblical truth found in 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
✅PRAY for the Holy Spirit & God’s power to calm your worries and mind
✅SHIFT FOCUS from self to God

📖"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

07/25/2024

➺Anxiety disorders have become the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions effecting 1/3 of the population.
➺Anxiety impacts the mind, body and soul---a persons entire being!
➺Anxiety is a thief stealing one's peace, joy, health, relationships, experiences and more.
➺The symptoms of anxiety mimic serious health issues and can lead to panic and fear.

🌟The stress response associated with anxiety is normal.
🌟Stress and anxiety can be managed.

✟God wants us to rely on Him in our times of stress and worry.
✟God promises to restore us and give us rest.

🙏Don't look back years from now and wish you had fully lived your life in peace and without fear. Give your worries to God and rely on His promise to restore your soul.

05/10/2024

🧠💚May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Here are some mental health truths and faith-based reminders:

📢Mental illness impacts approximately 20% of the population from all ages and walks of life―and keep in mind―this is just what's reported.
📢Christians are not immune from mental illness.
📢Anxiety disorders are the most diagnosed and are on the rise.
📢I am willing to bet that the person reading this right now has experienced mental health problems at some point in his or her life or knows someone right now who is suffering.

👉People often suffer in silence due to lack of available services or stigma.
👉Christians often suffer in silence for fear of being looked upon as having a lack of faith or symptoms being sin-induced.

🎯Our brain, nervous system, hormones, experiences, personality, etc. all impact our mental wellness and often aspects of the mental, emotional and physical symptoms we feel can be out of our control.
🎯We need to normalize seeking mental health care just like we would for our heart, lungs, pancreas, etc.
🎯Research has proven time and again that church attendance, prayer and having faith in God improves not only mental health but ones holistic wellness. Do NOT forget to address spiritual needs along with the rest of YOU.

✞🆘✞Seek God and surrender your cares to Him daily.
✞🆘✞Do not hesitate to obtain additional help from a trusted pastoral counselor, medical doctor, faith-based therapist, etc. if needed.

📖 READ, REFLECT & RENEW:
-Psalm 42:11 ~ "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God."
-Joshua 1:9 ~ "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

*all scripture KJV

04/24/2024

🎯We often attempt to fix everything in our life without first tending to our soul wellness and spiritual needs.

💯Life would be SO much easier if only we'd go to God first and focus on healing our soul through spiritual truth and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

✝️Use the Christian Soul Care A-Z list as a guide toward nourishing your mind, body, soul and spirit on a daily basis as this is where complete healing and lasting transformation can be found.

04/17/2024

🙌Today is a new day! Yesterday is now the past. Don't bring past hurts, problems and pain into your new day. Today holds the opportunity for mental and physical refreshment and positive change!

🌩→🌞Even in our darkest moments, we can still choose to wake up each day with a mindset of gratitude.

⚠️Remember...the enemy loves for us to be discouraged and to dwell on our circumstances or the past.

✝️TIP: When feeling down or facing obstacles, meditate on the fact that God is in full control and has already prepared the outcome. Imagine being held and carried in His palm to the other side of your worries.

📋CHALLENGE:
➡️Identify two things you're thankful for in the moment...it could be as simple as being thankful for being alive, for the air you breathe, being able to think, talk, walk, see, etc.
➡️Choose to make today great even if only in your own mind.
➡️Pray for God's strength and believe He can heal you from any mental or emotional pain you're having difficulty leaving behind.

📖READ, REFLECT & RENEW:
-Lamentations 3:22-24~It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore, will I hope in him.

04/08/2024

🧘‍♀️Traditional mindfulness exercises require that you empty the mind and lean on your own abilities and power to change.

✝️This faith-based version is called MindFULNESS which requires the Christ-follower to pause and reflect internally with the sole purpose of FULLY preparing to FILL the mind with “all the FULNESS of God” as instructed in Ephesians 3:19.

🌟As Christians, our goal for engaging in MindFULNESS practices should be to increase our self-awareness in terms of identifying what keeps us distant from God or from living a life of victory. This time of reflection also helps us to slow down long enough to recognize the depths of our need for God. Lasting transformation can only take place once we have this awareness and choose to shift our reliance off of self and on to Him.

04/03/2024

☎️Did you know that God is calling you right now?
🤔Can you hear Him???

✞Jesus tells us in John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me..."

🤯It’s very easy to be distracted by everything going on around us, but we’re also distracted by what’s going on WITHIN us!

🚨Stress is rampant and mental health diagnoses are on the rise. How can we hear God’s voice when there is so much external and internal noise?

📖God tells us to seek Him and “ye shall find”; however, somewhere in our daily grind, we must stop long enough to hear Him and receive His help!

Here are some sure-fire ways to improve our ability to hear what the Lord is trying to say:

✅Slow down. Disconnect from technology. Spend quiet time alone in God’s Word asking Him to reveal His truths to you.

✅Seek the Lord. Pray. Talk to Him as your father, friend and savior. Ask Him for help, peace, healing, guidance, direction and wisdom.

✅Declutter your mind. Notice your thoughts―the good, the bad and the ugly. Cling to the helpful ones and send any toxic thoughts to the imaginary recycle bin of your mind.

✅Notice the Holy Spirit’s conviction. I’m sure you can visualize the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. The Holy Spirit may be more subtle, but if you’re actively slowing, seeking, decluttering and noticing, you’ll feel a tug on your soul offering you the correction of mindset and actions. We must simply then choose whether we’ll listen.

✅It’s not a coincidence, it’s clarity. God is not the author of confusion. If we pray for clarity, He will give us winks and whispers of direction that we can hear and understand. A word or phrase may get repeated. A person or scripture may be placed in our path. We will seem to know what to say or do. We will feel a supernatural peace.

📖Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 KJV

04/02/2024

✝️God created us in His image. His desire is for us to be of a SOUND MIND where we’re fully capable with His help to healthily live all aspects of life from an eternal perspective.
✝️We will endure trials and emotional pain. God gives us His power and strength which supersedes our pain.
✝️We will suffer from physical and mental ailments. God gives us His promises for comfort and renewal of the mind.
✝️Memorize this verse and meditate on this truth to combat negative thoughts and emotions when they present themselves in the coming days.

03/31/2024

I love Reese’s peanut butter eggs a LOT, but ✝️JESUS✝️ is the reason for this “season” too! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️

03/27/2024

💐Spring has finally sprung! The flowers are blooming, grass is growing, and what was once dead and gloomy has now started to come alive in living color.

🌞The very real symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder are now starting to subside for millions as the colors of Spring and increased daylight awakens all of our senses.

🧠During this season of literal renewal and rebirth, it's also the perfect time to Spring clean, not only our homes, but to clear out the cobwebs of our mind, body, soul and spirit. This allows us to put our best foot forward in this new season not just for our own well-being but most importantly, for the glory of God!

✝️Christ died for our sins but arose on that 3rd day victoriously offering us eternal life...a forever Spring if you will...where there is total renewal, transformation, restoration and reconciliation! Praise the Lord! 🙌🏽 Until then, what can we do to live a renewed, transformed life in Him here?

Here are a few Bible verses about our need and God's promise related to transformation and renewal:

🧠 MIND:
Ephesians 4:23 “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind...”
Romans 12:2 “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind...”

🧍🏽BODY:
2 Corinthians “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new...”

💗✝️SOUL & SPIRIT:
Psalm 51:10-12 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me...”
Acts 1:8 ~But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you..."

✔️Even Wikipedia recognizes the sentiments stated above citing "Spring and "springtime" refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(season)

🌱So, the time for our emotional and spiritual awakening and renewal is now, but we must first identify our areas for growth and make conscious steps on a daily basis toward holistic wellness and spiritual maturity. God has given us His promises of true and lasting renewal and transformation if only we seek Him and apply His word to our lives. 🙏🏼

03/24/2024

💯We are guaranteed to have trials and tribulations in life, but James 1:2 says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations".

✞Jesus also reminded and instructed His followers that "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world". So, does this really mean we are supposed to be JOYFUL and of good CHEER when we're going through trials? Simply stated, YES!

👂🏼We've all heard the saying "No Jesus, No Peace. Know Jesus, Know Peace”. It's true! Jesus promises peace to His followers, and the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". Therefore, to KNOW PEACE, we must KNOW Jesus and should strive daily to have a mind like Him.

📋CHALLENGE: Identify your current trial(s) or prepare for upcoming ones by developing a plan to implement James and Jesus' instruction to find JOY and CHEER through the storm based on God's promises. If you're just coming out of a trial, ponder how things may have been different for you if you would have intentionally practiced a joy and cheer-filled attitude during that time per God's guidance. Would your stress levels, mood, choices, etc. have been different?

✝️TIP: Practice gratitude to shift toward a joyful and cheerful attitude!

🙏🏻PRAYER: Ask God for forgiveness for feeling worried, hopeless, stressed, (fill-in-the-blank) and not fully trusting Him with your trials and worries. Surrender your worries to God asking Him for help per His will in your life and for His peace to fill your mind, soul and spirit.

📖READ, REFLECT & RENEW:
-Proverbs 3:5-6 ~Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
-Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

*all scripture KJV

03/22/2024

➡️How we respond in life is our testimony. Being emotionally reactive is essentially responding without thought or Holy Spirit guidance. This often leads to sinful behavior and negative impacts in our relationships with others and with God.

📖Proverbs 25:28 states "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls."

📞We are called to walk like Jesus who was the ultimate example of humility, thoughtfulness and obedience to God's will. Paul wrote in Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

👣It's only after stepping out of emotional and spiritual survival mode when we can finally hear God's voice and start to truly thrive mentally, emotionally and spiritually. 🧠💗✞

Thrive-mode means being PROACTIVE in our faith by:
✅Expecting trials (1 Peter 4:12)
✅Preparing for trials through prayer and reading God's Word (Romans 8:26)
✅Being of good cheer in times of tribulation (John 16:33)
✅Expecting help during trials (Psalm 34:17)

📋CHALLENGE: Take the time to evaluate past times where you were reactive and identify areas for improvement. What are your personal triggers for emotional reactivity (feeling angry, judged, afraid, insulted, rejected, frustrated, belittled, etc.)? Devise a plan to be proactive in how you handle negative emotions going forward.

✝️TIP: Practice the Pause, Pray & Proceed method for proactively responding!

🙏🏻PRAYER: Ask God for forgiveness for acting on emotions, being prideful or impulsive and not walking in His Spirit. Ask God to empty your mind and heart and to fill you with His Spirit as you yearn to be holy like Jesus.

📖READ, REFLECT & RENEW:
-James 1:9 ~Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
-James 1:26 ~If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

*all scripture is KJV

03/15/2024

‼Have you ever heard the saying "I'm my own worst enemy"? Well, our true 'worst enemy' is satan who loves to remind God's children of their past sins to discourage and keep them from living a life of victory and peace.

🤔How many times have you held onto guilt or shame even after you had already been sanctified and forgiven? If we're not careful, our fleshly minds will grasp on to the enemy's reminders leading us down a path of unnecessary mental, emotional and spiritual turmoil. Shame and condemnation are not from God.

˗ˏˋ ✞ ˎˊ˗Jesus paid the price for our redemption; so, who are we to withhold it? This is not His plan for us, and Jesus surely did not die in vain.

❤️‍🩹In order to fully accept God's pardon, we must extend to ourselves self-forgiveness for the mere fact that we’re already forgiven by Him! It is done. Jesus paid the price, and God is faithful. The only way we can experience lasting healing of the soul and transformation of the mind is by putting on the full armor of God daily.

📋CHALLENGE: Take the time to evaluate whether you’re currently holding on to any mental or emotional stress related to past sins. Going forward, when satan reminds you of your past...remind yourself who holds your future!

🙏🏼PRAYER: Ask God for forgiveness for not fully accepting His pardon. Ask Him to release any emotional pain or thoughts that have kept you in a cycle of guilt and shame.

📖READ, REFLECT & RENEW:
-1 John 1: 9 ~If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
-Psalm 103:12 ~As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

*all scripture is KJV

03/13/2024

🎶"All to Jesus I surrender; All to Him I freely give..."🎶 What great lyrics to a scripturally sound, beautiful Christian hymn. We may sing it during worship, but do we truly take the time to understand and mean what we're singing to the Lord?

🤔I'd question whether most people "freely give" anything away these days including their money, time or even brotherly love. However, God gave us life, freely offers eternal life to all through His son Jesus Christ and promises to give freedom and peace that transcends all human understanding if only we'd be willing to humble ourselves under His mighty hand.

😔Unfortunately, our flesh often remains hesitant to let go and allow God to have His way and His will in our lives.

➡️Why do we choose to suffer alone when God is willing and able to take our burdens, renew our minds, and transform our lives to an expected end?
➡️Why do we often have to reach rock bottom before we'll allow God to work in our lives?

📖 READ, REFLECT & RENEW:
- James 4:7 ~ “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
-James 4:10 ~ “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
-Proverbs 3:5-6 ~ “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

🙏🏼PRAYER: Thank the Lord for being a God who wants to take care of you. Ask Him for forgiveness for any doubts or attempts to handle things through your own strength. Sincerely ask Him to place His hand in your life and to direct your paths. Admit to God that you are done trying to control every move and confess that you need Him and now surrender all of your cares to Him going forward.

✝️💡✝️Strive to get out of your own way and obey God because surrender is the TRUE path to wellness!

03/12/2024

"I really need a day in between Sunday and Monday." The author is unknown but the sentiment is familiar.

🧠Our THOUGHTS lead to our ATTITUDES which leads to our CHOICES.

✝️God gave us free will to think and choose!

✝️God gave us instructions to think on lovely things.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
~Philippians 4:8 KJV

🌞Let's fuel POSITIVITY in our lives and rejoice in ALL days as God created Monday's too!

03/07/2024

🧠We've all heard the saying "mindset is everything", and there is much truth to this statement; however, Christ-followers need to add one additional word to this common phrase making it "ETERNITY mindset is everything".

👁️When our eyes are laser-focused on our temporary trials, fleeting thoughts and passing, fleshly desires, our emotions become negatively impacted leading to ungodly reactions and outcomes.

✝️In contrast, if we turn our eyes upon Jesus, we can find victory through any storm life places in our path.

🪦Remember, we are all 'just a dash'. When we die, our tombstone will have a birth year and death year with a dash in between. All of our trials, small and large, on Earth ultimately won't and don't matter. What will matter is how we handled those trials and where we will be spending eternity.

📋CHALLENGE: Take the time to evaluate whether you're currently living by a temporary or an eternity mindset. Make a conscious choice to shift your mindset if needed and maintain an eternity mindset as the days go by.

🙏🏻PRAYER: Ask God for forgiveness if you've been focused on the things of the world and not on Him. Ask Him with sincerity to redirect your mind, thoughts and steps back toward Him.

📖READ, REFLECT & RENEW:
-Colossians 3:2 ~Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
-2 Corinthians 4:18 ~While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
*all scripture KJV

A Sound Mind Counselor