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
This is a question that I hear often. And it is absolutely true that the gospel brings HOPE into the struggle with anxiety! The gospel is the good news that although we are all sinners, unable to make ourselves right with our God and Creator, God came to earth as a man (Jesus) in order … Continue reading How does the gospel help me with my anxiety?
Apologies for the quasi-rhyme. But this is a real question that we often take for granted. Whether it’s a middle-school soccer team, a work group that is required to act like a team, or right here at iHope with our “counseling team” – what does this even mean? Here at iHope, we often refer to ourselves as a … Continue reading What does it mean to be part of a team?
How often do you genuinely and repentantly confess your sins? Confession is a huge part of the Christian life, and it is critically important to a healthy life. It impacts our emotions, our mental health, our relationships, our pride, our accurate understanding of ourselves, and our spiritual life with Christ. But confession is hard. I … Continue reading The Need for Confession in our Lives
I’m a big believer that everyone could benefit from counseling at some point in their lives. Probably, at multiple points in their lives! Why do I believe this? Because I know how hard life is - and I know that at some point, we all experience hardship. We live in a broken world. Sin hurts us, … Continue reading Did you know most people feel good about counseling?