Let Prayer Replace Fear With Joy

Situations in life can be troubling and can cause distractions.

Our imagination gets wound up. We find ourselves losing focus. Doubt and fear creep into our mind.

When this happens, we need to take time to pray. Breathe in God’s life-giving peace and feel yourself begin to relax. Redirect your focus to God’s protection. Affirm that God is your protector. Affirm that he is present.

These affirmations and words will calm your anxious thoughts. You will begin to feel at peace because of God’s protection.

The challenges we face can wear us down.

We can become tired spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally. Our gratitude and joy are replaced by fear and anxiousness. Life becomes burdensome and heavy.

When this happens we need to look to God to replace our joy, which is our strength. Put a song of praise on your lips and in your heart. Pray and ask God for help.

These simple acts of worship and praise will begin to inspire you. Your challenges become lighter. Joy replaces fear.

 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm46:1

Ken Thom, MS, LPC is a nationally recognized Christian counselor and writer. He is available for parent and individual coaching. Ken is a Post Institute Certified Family Regulatory Therapist, Certified Coach and Great Behavior Breakdown Instructor as well as a certified BCI parent trainer. Ken's book Christian Parent Wisdom is a daily scripture based medication book for parenting children with challenging behaviors. Contact Ken.

Let God Take Away Fear

Our world is constantly changing, and there are times that the changes are overwhelming and confusing. We can easily lose connection with the ones we love. This creates fear in ourselves and our relationships.

We can even begin to doubt God. This doubt comes from fear. When we encounter this fear, we need to breathe deeply to calm ourselves. We need to focus on God and his love. Allow the Holy Spirit to transcend every circumstance in our life.

As we connect with the love of God, we reconnect with loved ones. Fear and doubt go away. Our faith is strengthened, and we can face the world with confidence. We are empowered to fall all challenges, trusting the outcome to God.

Every day we experience new situations and challenges. Often these situations and challenges are stressful, and create fear. Our past blueprint of fear can cause us to expect an unpleasant outcome.

We need to consciously choose to let go of any fear-based blueprints. We need to breathe deeply, and ask God to take away what we fear. Ask God to replace fear and dread with expecting good. We know that even in difficult circumstances, God’s guidance will not fail. Our strength and energy during these times will come from God. We need to expect good in our life because that is what God wants for us.

“For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13

Ken Thom, MS, LPC is a nationally recognized Christian counselor and writer. He is available for parent and individual coaching. Ken is a Post Institute Certified Family Regulatory Therapist, Certified Coach and Great Behavior Breakdown Instructor as well as a certified BCI parent trainer. Ken's book Christian Parent Wisdom is a daily scripture based medication book for parenting children with challenging behaviors. Contact Ken.

Prayer And Meditation Can Stop Fear

When daily challenges cause disorder and stress, it can leave us with a feeling of being out of control or losing control. Stress becomes a byproduct of fear. 

When you find yourself in a situation that you do not know how to handle, use it as an opportunity to learn. Breathe in and relax, and ask God for guidance. As God guides you through challenges, you will learn and gain understanding.

God broadens our vision of what is happening, and allows us to learn from these life lessons. Each of the interactions allow us to see more of him at work.

When experiencing difficult and unsettling times, it is easy to become distracted and focused on worries. Fear sets in, and we find ourselves feeling restless and uneasy. We obsess about the past or fantasize about the future. We forget who we are in God.

In these times, we can use prayer and meditation to connect with the spirit of God. We can rediscover our inner strength, and achieve inner peace through God’s peace. God’s help will help us feel secure in every circumstance. Our faith is strengthened, and we become an extension of God’s peace.

“Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, in the God of peace will be with you.” Phillipians 4:9

Ken Thom, MS, LPC is a nationally recognized Christian counselor and writer. He is available for parent and individual coaching. Ken is a Post Institute Certified Family Regulatory Therapist, Certified Coach and Great Behavior Breakdown Instructor as well as a certified BCI parent trainer. Ken's book Christian Parent Wisdom is a daily scripture based medication book for parenting children with challenging behaviors. Contact Ken.

Allow The Holy Spirit To Guide You

Deep breathing and meditation will help us to be more mindful during any situation. Once we have learned to postpone our immediate reaction to challenging situations, we will be better able to open our hearts and minds to guidance from the Holy Spirit.

You will be able to share love, wisdom, understanding, and caring through being mindful and present with your child. These are gifts from God that you can give when you are connected with His spirit.

By regulating your emotions through deep breathing, and opening your mind to His guidance through meditation, you give yourself the opportunity to step into the presence of God. When this happens, you can then share this calm and clarity with others.

Mindfulness with your child helps create an environment of peace and love. God is always available. It is your responsibility to be mindful so you can help your child be more mindful and regulated. We accomplish this through the Holy Spirit.

“Finally, all of you have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8.

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Ken Thom, MS, LPC is a nationally recognized Christian counselor and writer. He is available for parent and individual coaching. Ken is a Post Institute Certified Family Regulatory Therapist, Certified Coach and Great Behavior Breakdown Instructor as well as a certified BCI parent trainer. Ken's book Christian Parent Wisdom is a daily scripture based medication book for parenting children with challenging behaviors. Contact Ken.

Divine Inspiration Through Meditation

 

The business of the day may over take your focus. Stressful situations can cause our minds to go in one direction or the other: either reliving past mistakes and challenges or imagining future obstacles or fears.

 

Each of these patterns of thinking keeps you from being mindful. Losing mindfulness in the moment takes you out of relationship with your child.

 

When you find yourself being challenged, take several deep breaths and connect with God through meditation. Meditation helps you focus and is the foundation for greater awareness.

 

During meditation, you take control of all of your thoughts and turn away from negative thoughts. Sit in a comfortable position, and imagine your mind as an empty room. If thoughts occur, gently push them away, and concentrate on the emptiness. As you become regulated, you become open to divine inspiration.

 

Meditation can allow us to listen for God’s answers to challenges facing you and your child. As your burden is released, you can be present and mindful of your child. You connect with your child and follow God’s guidance.

 

Meditation helps us to be prepared mentally and spiritually so that we receive what God intends for us.

 

“All my words that I shall speak to you receive in your heart.” Ezekiel 3:10

 

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Ken Thom, MS, LPC is a nationally recognized Christian counselor and writer. He is available for parent and individual coaching. Ken is a Post Institute Certified Family Regulatory Therapist, Certified Coach and Great Behavior Breakdown Instructor as well as a certified BCI parent trainer. Ken's book Christian Parent Wisdom is a daily scripture based medication book for parenting children with challenging behaviors. Contact Ken.

 

 

Find Inner Peace – Cultivate Mindfulness

Jesus said “Peace! Be Still.” Being still and focused are the first steps to cultivating mindfulness within yourself.

When you are stressed or anxious, become aware of God’s presence and stay in the moment. Breathe deeply and slowly. Each deep breath you take helps you to become centered and mindful. You will become comfortable with being yourself because you are not distracted by erroneous beliefs.

As you breathe out, release all worries and concerns. Distractions go away.

“ . . . . and (God) breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Genesis 2:7

Claim these powerful words for yourself. Silently pray and breathe yourself into the tranquility and peace of God. God’s presence assures us that everything will be okay. His presence assures us that we are safe.

When you and your child are in stressful situations, become mindful of God’s presence and connect with your child.

When you have learned to stop and breathe, it will become easy to be mindful and connect with your child. In turn, your child will experience your calmness and God’s presence. Together, you and your child become renewed and energized. You can face the day with confidence and oneness of purpose. God’s breath of life is a powerful, calming force within us.

By connecting to your child, you will be able to face any and all challengers together. You can rely on God’s powerful presence. Just as Jesus calmed the storm, the storms in your life are calmed. 

 “He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’” Mark 4:39.

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Ken Thom, MS, LPC is a nationally recognized Christian counselor and writer. He is available for parent and individual coaching. Ken is a Post Institute Certified Family Regulatory Therapist, Certified Coach and Great Behavior Breakdown Instructor as well as a certified BCI parent trainer. Ken's book Christian Parent Wisdom is a daily scripture based medication book for parenting children with challenging behaviors. Contact Ken.

Moving Forward

New Year’s is usually a time of reflection. Use your time of reflection as a way for you to continue forward in your journey.

There may be things that still trouble you. There may be a need for grieving and forgiveness. Be mindful of these, but don’t let them weigh you down. Do the work necessary to help you move on.

Celebrate your awareness of what you need to do. Too many times we allow our awareness of our struggles to become bondage. Realize that your awareness gives you a new perspective.

Realize that your circumstances have changed. Realize that you have changed. Begin by letting go of more of the old. Bring with you the best from the past and create a new beginning using prayer and meditation to guide you.

“See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare.” Isaiah 42:9

Blessings in 2015!

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Ken Thom, MS, LPC is a nationally recognized Christian counselor and writer. He is available for parent and individual coaching. Ken is a Post Institute Certified Family Regulatory Therapist, Certified Coach and Great Behavior Breakdown Instructor as well as a certified BCI parent trainer. Ken's book Christian Parent Wisdom is a daily scripture based medication book for parenting children with challenging behaviors. Contact Ken.