Articles
Bible Verses for Married Couples: Scriptures about Married Life
Married life is one of the greatest gifts God ever created. But because we live in a broken world, marriage is difficult and challenging. If you want to improve your marriage, study these Bible verses for married couples. These verses will help you understand what God wants you to do. Bible Verses for Married Couples We can look at the first few chapters of the Bible to learn God’s plan for marriage. He created Adam first, and then Eve as his helper. Their union was beautiful and intended to last. Yet sin marred their relationship and it has marred every other [...]
Dealing with Family Issues? How to Find Help
All relationships and families go through difficult times, and experiencing occasional problems and conflict in personal relationships is normal. However, sometimes these problems can become overwhelming. Problems can occur between partners, spouses, parents, children, siblings, friends and other important people in your life. If you're currently experiencing family issues, this article is for you. Common Signs of Family Issues Frequent arguing Disagreements Breakdown in communication Angry outbursts Avoidance Physical conflict Common Triggers for Family Issues Differences of opinion, personalities, beliefs, values or goals Change in family circumstances e.g. new baby, divorce/separation, blending families Financial problems Stress Issues relating to sexuality Alcohol [...]
How are Mental Health and Substance Abuse Related?
People who have substance abuse disorders, as well as mental health disorders, are often diagnosed as having co-occurring disorders, sometimes called a dual diagnosis. Issues with mental health and substance use disorders often occur together. This is because: Certain illegal drugs can cause people with an addiction to experience one or more symptoms of a mental health problem Mental health problems can sometimes lead to alcohol or drug use, as some people with a mental health problem may misuse these substances as a form of self-medication Mental and substance use disorders share some underlying causes, including changes in brain composition, genetic [...]
Postpartum Depression: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
Are you a woman who has recently had a baby and is struggling to feel like yourself? Are you worried that something is wrong with you? Do you feel alone and isolated in your experiences and wonder what is wrong with you? You may have postpartum depression (PPD). There is no single cause or reason for postpartum depression. It is a condition that results from a combination of biological, hormonal, environmental and psychological factors. It is most often influenced by a number of risk factors some of which may be: dramatic hormonal changes, unexpected birth experience, chronic sleep deprivation, your family’s [...]
Bible Verses to Help You Overcome Perfectionism
Have others told you that you have perfectionistic tendencies? Perfectionism can be helpful if it is healthy and balanced. However, maladaptive perfectionism can cause significant problems for both the sufferer and the people with whom they interact. At Seattle Christian Counseling, we can help you overcome the dark side of perfectionism and embrace a healthier perspective. The Two Sides of Perfectionism Researchers have discovered that not all perfectionism is bad. In fact, a level of perfectionism is preferred in highly specialized work. You want a surgeon, airplane pilot, attorney, or software developer to do the very best job possible. A degree [...]
Finding the Right Help for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, more commonly known as PTSD, is a mental health condition that affects millions of Americans. You may have heard of the disorder associated with veterans who returned from combat severely traumatized from the events, however, civilians can develop PTSD as well. If you’ve suffered a traumatic event, it may haunt you for months or years. You may find that the residual effects of the event are causing turmoil in all areas of your life. Finding the right type of PTSD help is critical to overcoming the power of the memory and begin the healing process. The Possible [...]
Take Every Thought Captive: Dealing with Anxiety as a Christian
Your alarm goes off. You roll over and hit the snooze button, but immediately your heart starts racing. Your mind is already a jumble of all the things you need to accomplish, people you need to contact, and fears you’re facing. You close your eyes and try to still your heart and mind, but to no avail. It’s 6 am, and your anxiety is already driving up your heart rate so that your heart thumps loudly in your chest. What will today hold for you? How will you make it through the day with all of these crazy thoughts running through [...]
I’m in an Abusive Marriage! What Should I Do?
Maria is a 26-year-old woman who stares out the window of her pristinely kept suburban home. Although her window is crystal clear by appearance, she feels as if it might as well be covered with prison bars. Maria married Ricky six years ago. Her life prior to being with him seems like a forgotten dream. The glow of being a new bride and the glitter of her wedding ring faded soon after she said, “I do.” Instead, her life has been replaced by the dark specters of a nightmare she can’t wake up from and never in a million years dreamed [...]
How to Offer a Prayer of Forgiveness When You’ve Been Hurt
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ gave us the ultimate example of how to forgive when he willingly hung on a cross to offer us forgiveness for our own sins. He spoke the powerful words: “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34, NLT) When we are first betrayed, it can be hard to even begin to imagine a time when we would ever forgive the person who has hurt or betrayed us. However, forgiveness is important in order to move forward with your life. It allows you to shake off any anger and doubt you [...]