Relationship with God. The Gospel: Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Reward
Discover the simple, powerful truth of the gospel: salvation is a free gift, not earned by works. Learn how faith, repentance, and love lead to a transformed life in Christ.
Religious Scrupulosity (Faith-Based OCD): Understanding Fear, Faith, and Freedom
Religious scrupulosity is a form of OCD where intrusive thoughts attach themselves to a person’s faith, morality, or relationship with God. The person fears sinning, disappointing God, losing salvation, or having wrong motives—and then engages in mental or behavioral rituals to try to guarantee spiritual certainty. Scrupulosity often masquerades as spiritual conviction, but at its core it is anxiety, not holiness . It is fear masquerading as spiritual responsibility. Many cli
Responding to an Immature Husband With Maturity and Grace
A Christian counseling perspective Marriage asks two imperfect people to grow together, forgive often, and keep choosing love even when one partner withdraws, avoids, or behaves in ways that are emotionally irresponsible. When a husband’s immaturity shows up—through defensiveness, shutting down, impulsive decisions, or unwillingness to take responsibility—his wife can feel lonely, unseen, and burdened with carrying the emotional weight of the relationship. Scripture never ask
When Your Spouse Is Addicted and Will Not Address the Affair
A Christian Counseling Perspective on Betrayal, Addiction, and the Long Road to Truth There is a particular kind of pain that comes when addiction and infidelity collide—and your spouse refuses to face either one. It leaves you trapped between heartbreak and confusion, between hope and reality, between what you pray for and what you are living with every day. You may feel like you are fighting two invisible battles at once: the addiction you cannot control and the affair that
How the “Mother Wound” Impacts Mood, Emotional Security, and Self-Worth
Our earliest experiences of emotional safety—or the lack of it—shape how we feel about ourselves, others, and the world. One of the most influential of these experiences is our relationship with our primary caregiver, most often the mother. When that relationship is marked by inconsistency, neglect, criticism, emotional unavailability, control, or abandonment, it can create what many therapists refer to as the “mother wound.” This wound doesn’t just affect childhood—it quietl
When You Feel Stuck Because You Know God Has More for You—But You Don’t Know What It Is
There is a particular kind of stuckness that does not come from laziness, fear alone, or lack of opportunity. It comes from holy tension —the quiet, persistent sense that God has something more for your life, something meaningful, something weighty… and yet you cannot see what it is. You pray.You wait.You search.You wonder if you have missed it. And the uncertainty itself becomes exhausting. Many believers quietly carry this question in their hearts: “I know God wants me t
Paranoia After Doing Something Wrong: When Guilt Turns Into Fear
After we do something we regret—whether it’s a moral failure, a betrayal, a lie, an addiction relapse, or a decision that harmed others—it is common to feel guilt. But for some, guilt doesn’t stay emotional. It turns into paranoia . Suddenly: You feel like everyone knows. You assume you’re being watched, judged, or exposed. You read danger into normal conversations. You feel like consequences are always right around the corner. You live in constant anticipation of being “foun
When Life Is Too Full: A Christian Counseling Article for Couples Who Bicker Because They Lack Space for Each Other
Modern couples are busier than ever. Careers, children, ministry involvement, extended family responsibilities, personal goals, and even good things like hobbies and self-care can fill every margin of a couple’s life. Over time, the load stretches them thin. When there’s no emotional or practical space left, small conversations feel tense—and constant bickering becomes the signal that something deeper is being neglected. This article explores why this happens and how couples
When People Want Relationship Without Authenticity: A Christian Counseling Perspective
Healthy relationships require two essential ingredients: honesty and presence. Yet many people desire closeness while resisting the vulnerability that makes true connection possible. They may want the benefits of friendship, companionship, or emotional support, but they avoid being transparent about their struggles, motives, or intentions. This mismatch creates strain—especially for people who value integrity and emotional safety. From a Christian counseling perspective, rela
From Authoritarian to Authoritative: A Christian Counseling Guide for Parenting Teens
Parenting teens is one of the most sanctifying seasons in a parent’s life. The transition from childhood to adolescence brings new questions, heightened emotions, and the deepening desire for independence. Many parents who were raised with (or have practiced) authoritarian parenting —strict rules, low emotional engagement, and high expectations without much collaboration—begin to notice that this style stops “working” with teens. This is not a sign of failure.It ’s a sign of
