One of the biggest problems in ministry leadership is burnout. The demands of ministry are high and the stress, emotions, and responsibilities weigh on us. And one of the best things that can help prevent burnout and keep you passionate about the ministry work you are doing is setting boundaries. We all need healthy boundaries! … Continue reading Tips For Setting Boundaries (And Helping Others Do It Too)
Every Christian leader will have opportunities to help people in their marriages. But how do you approach marriage counseling? Can you help a marriage even if you’re meeting 1:1 with someone? (Yes! You can.) Today you’ll get some specific tips from a Christian marriage counselor on how to get started on the right foot when … Continue reading Helping Marriages Succeed – Tips To Help Them Help Themselves
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1) Every Christian is called to show love to those around us. "Love your neighbor as yourself," Jesus tells us. Love your enemies. People will know you … Continue reading 3 Keys To Good Interpersonal Communication
Over the years, The iHope Center has hosted a variety of resources with the goal of strengthening our local Christian community. Obviously, our primary resource is professional counseling and life coaching services that we provide on-site at The iHope Center. But plenty of people need encouragement, help, and support without the formality of counseling or … Continue reading Coming Soon… Counseling Tips For Pastors And Ministry Leaders
I hate regret. That certainly isn't unusual - regret is a horrible feeling. When we start to feel guilty or regret something, we often try to avoid these feelings. We use tools like distraction or self-justification. But unless we actually deal with what is going on, these are difficult feelings to escape. They linger. They … Continue reading Dealing with guilt and regret
I'm guessing that you've heard of a counselor. Have you heard of a "life coach"? This is a newer side of the mental health profession, and it is one that iHope is excited to be expanding into during 2021. There are certainly overlaps between counseling and coaching, but there are some important differences. What's similar? … Continue reading How are coaching and counseling different?
September is Suicide Prevention Month. On the iHope blog, we’ll be tackling three important issues related to suicide. We’ll start from the reverse, looking today at the question of how we deal with the aftermath of suicide. What if I have lost a loved one to suicide? If this is true for you, know that … Continue reading Dealing with the aftermath of suicide
It is difficult to forgive. Yet, forgiveness is at the center of the Christian life. Why? Whether the hurt is simply my wounded pride or a significant physical trauma, it is always difficult. It does not feel fair. Must we forgive when there has been no justice? When the other person isn't even sorry? Well... … Continue reading Why should I forgive others?
We often like to think of our life in little silos. What I do in area X should have no impact on area Y! Well, this is simply not how God made us. God created us as intricate, complex creatures - and every part of life has an impact on every other part of life. … Continue reading Physical health impacts our mental health
Do you ever feel guilty for taking a break from responsibilities? Many of us do. Yet we wind up overcommitted and exhausted. We get our “break” then due to illness, burnout, or perhaps from such a decline in performance that the responsibility is given to someone else for awhile. God did not create us to … Continue reading The value in a taking a break