Author: counselingbyfaith

Today my topic is Focusing.

I came back to work today after being on a vacation to Laurel, Mississippi. We left last Saturday and arrived back home the next Saturday evening. I made it a non-work vacation and enjoyed the time with my husband and my mother. Finding my focus today has been a challenge. Trying to get caught up on everything I missed while was gone; catching up on emails and voicemails; looking at a computer screen for many hours (I am seeing blurry words now), causes a lack of focus as I am stationary instead of more mobile or having those moments of personal contact with clients as they come in.

We often have those moments when we are not able to focus on God the way we should or even want to. Those times in prayer where our mind starts on its own path of thoughts; those times when we are looking to be the hands and feet of God and what we are asked to do is not what we thought it would be. For those times in prayer, if possible, start praying aloud it will help you focus better. Those times when our service to others seems little, remember that to those that you serve you are giving them the greatest gift, you are willing and delighted time.

When focusing gets tough determine what the goal or objective is and work toward that. It will keep you on the path you need to stay on.

Proverbs 16:3

   Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.

If your Teens are on the “My Parents are Divorced” roller coaster ride of life, this group could be the tool to help them make sure they are buckled in for the ride!!!

The Journey-Divorce through the eyes of a teen

“The Journey” may be the answer for your struggling teenagers. This is 4 weeks of group classes designed just for teens who struggle with their parents divorce.

Classes will be held Thursday nights from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm, beginning October 14th.

Cost of this will be $100 (non-refundable)

Email counselingbyfaith@yahoo.com or call 270-763-7242 to register or if you have ay questions. Class is limited to 12 teens.

Classes are being offered by Counseling by faith and will be held at their office at 809B N. Wilson Rd., Radcliff

As we approach Mother’s Day there is much joy going on as we celebrate our Mothers and are being celebrated as a Mother.

This can also be one of the most difficult times for those who have lost their mother. Do not let Mother’s Day be a day sadness; instead let it be a day that you take moments and remember your Mother and the moments that you shared with her.

If your mother passed away before your children, siblings and family were able to make lasting memories share those memories of your mother with them. Share them with friends.

If you are not able to share your memories write them down as a conversation with your mother. As if you are sitting there sharing those times that she made an impact on you.

May this Mother’s Day be full of joyful moments, precious memories and God’s love of family.
Thank you to my mother Bobbye and to those in my life whom have been a mother figure to me over the years. 🥰

Anxiety continues to be problematic for many people. One thing to realize is that being anxious is normally caused by fear.
FEAR:
False
Exeptations
Appearing
Real

Knowing this does not stop you from becoming anxious. It does give you the knowledge behind why it happens.

Another thing to consider is, What is my fear? and is it a fear that is based on the What if’s? or the What is?
If you determine that your fear is based on the What if’s, instead of acting on those feelings, refute them, and speak back to the false expectations with words that allow you to begin to face these false expectations for what they are.

Fear extending itself into your daily life.

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you whereever you go.

Proverbs 11:25—A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Caregivers are those who give care to others; some for family and some who are called to care professionally.  For the purpose of this post, caregivers are broken down into two categories, those who care for others by profession and those who care for family.

It is with a humble heart when I say to be a caregiver by profession takes a very special and called person.  This is not an easy job.  As caregivers could be caring for someone handicapped, those who are home and constant care and those who are elderly.  There are patients who are thankful for the job you do and others who can make the days difficult.

As a caregiver for a family member or close friend you have not taken this roll by choice but by necessity.  This roll is very emotional for most family caregivers.  Your closeness to the person you care for creates a vulnerability that those who do this as a profession do not usually have. The person you care for may be a parent, a spouse or an adult child thus changing your role and relationship with them. There are emotionally changes between you and them. Your relationship with the person you are caring for starts out with love and a deep connection; whereas those who give care by profession often grow to care very deeply for the patient.

Whether you do this professionally or for family this can often be a thankless and stressful job.  Finding and taking time to rejuvenate yourself is vitally important for yourself and the person you are caring for.  There are some caregivers who do not live with their patient or family member.  They have the opportunity to step away from everything to do with caring for that individual; for live-ins they have to carve out the time.  Being a caregiver can be similar to that of a parent, there are just some things that you can’t get done unless the child or patient is asleep.  As a caregiver by profession you should have scheduled time off each week, but I am aware that this is not always the case.  If you do have scheduled time off then make this time about you  Take the time to recharge your batteries, rejuvenate yourself in ways that work for you.  If you are a live-in caregiver you may not have a hoe base to go to but you still have options.  Make arrangements with family or friends that have a spare room yo can call your own or find an affordable hotel to stay in.  Your goal is to make this time about you and your needs.  When you are caring for a family member you share a home with you would need to have another family member or friend to come stay while you are out.  Since this is a 24/7 caring job you may consider scheduling the same time each week to go and do any errands and shopping then add at least 1 1/2 hours of ‘you time’.

Remember as a caregiver, in any circumstance, if you are not at your best physically, mentally, or emotionally you are not able to give your best to the one you care for.  You must take time for yourself to recharge and rejuvenate on a regular basis.

Above all trust God to give you strength and wisdom when you need it. (Matthew 7:7-8)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Father God, Thank you for caregivers whether by choice or by need they place another’s need above their own.  Please guide them and help them see they must take care of themselves too.  i pray they come to you for strength, for wisdom and for rest.  AMEN