Peace When Anxiety Is LoudJul 29, 2026God does not shame us when we feel anxious. He invites us to bring our worries to Him. Prayer is not pretending we are calm. Prayer is bringing our real fear into the presence of a real Father.Continue reading →
God’s Mercy Meets You TodayJul 22, 2026Yesterday may have been heavy. You may have regrets, unfinished tasks, hard conversations, or quiet grief still sitting on the edge of your heart. But today begins with mercy.Continue reading →
God’s Mercy Meets AgainJul 15, 2026Maybe you are carrying regret, exhaustion, disappointment, or the weight of something you wish had gone differently. But Scripture reminds us that God’s mercy is not stale, scarce, or nearly out of stock. His mercies are new every morning.Continue reading →
Hope Is Not PretendingJul 08, 2026Biblical hope is not pretending everything is fine. It is not spiritual glitter sprinkled over grief. Hope looks pain in the face and says, “God is still here.”Continue reading →
God Is Working In The Hidden PlacesJul 01, 2026Not all growth is visible at first. Seeds do some of their most important work underground.Continue reading →
Forgiveness Is FreedomJun 24, 2026Forgiveness is not pretending the wound did not happen. It is not saying evil was acceptable. It is not always reconciliation or restored trust. Forgiveness is releasing the right to become chained to bitterness. It is placing justice into the hands ofContinue reading →
Love is The MarkJun 17, 2026Jesus did not say the world would know His disciples by their arguments, aesthetics, platforms, or ability to win comment sections. Praise the Lord, because some of us should not be trusted with comment sections before coffee.Continue reading →
Grace For The BecomingJun 10, 2026Spiritual growth is not always a straight line. Sometimes it looks like progress, then a stumble, then repentance, then another small step forward.Continue reading →
Renewing Your MindJun 03, 2026Your mind is a busy place. It collects worries, replays conversations, rehearses fears, and occasionally opens seventeen emotional browser tabs without asking permission.Continue reading →
God is Near in the Heavy PlacesMay 20, 2026Some days, mental health feels less like a battle cry and more like a whisper: “Lord, I am tired.”Continue reading →
Grief is Love with TearsMay 13, 2026Jesus knew resurrection was coming, and He still wept. Grief is not weakness. It is love with tears. God meets us there.Continue reading →
Anxiety Is Not a Faith FailureMay 06, 2026Anxiety is not a faith failure. It is an invitation to bring your fear into the presence of God, receive support, and stop carrying alone.Continue reading →
Breathe On PurposeApr 29, 2026When stress rises, do not fight it head-on right away; slow your body first. Take two minutes to breathe slowly, relax your shoulders and jaw, and plant your feet on the floor.Continue reading →
Walk and PrayApr 22, 2026Sometimes faithfulness looks simple: take a 10–20 minute walk without your phone, notice what is around you, and let the movement quiet your soul. Elijah’s story reminds us that God often meets depletion with rest, nourishment, and strength, not rebuke.Continue reading →
Part 4: Restored by His GraceApr 01, 2026Easter morning declares: Jesus is alive—and that means new life is possible, even after deep failure, trauma, or heartbreak. Grace isn’t a vague feeling; it’s God’s gift that restores identity.Continue reading →
Part 3: Finding Peace in Christ’s VictoryMar 25, 2026Anxiety can spike during busy seasons—even around Easter. But Jesus doesn’t offer a fragile calm; He gives His peace.Continue reading →
Part 2: Healing from GuiltMar 18, 2026Good Friday confronts us with two truths many people feel in their bones: (1) sin and brokenness are serious, and (2) God’s mercy is stronger than our failure.Continue reading →
Part 1: Hope in the ResurrectionMar 11, 2026Easter is God’s declaration that death and despair do not get the final word. Many people carry depression, grief, or numbness into the holiday—smiling on the outside while feeling stuck inside. Scripture doesn’t deny pain; it anchors us to a greater life.Continue reading →
Sleep & Night Anxiety: Peace That Stands WatchMar 04, 2026Sleep problems often feel spiritual ("Why can't I just trust God?"), but they're usually a blend of body rhythms, stress, and learned patterns. The Bible treats rest as a gift and a form of trust.Continue reading →
Learning to Say No Without GuiltFeb 26, 2026Saying “no” is hard for many of us—especially if you grew up in environments where your worth was tied to being helpful, agreeable, or accommodating.Continue reading →
Meditating on Scripture for Calm and ClarityFeb 18, 2026Biblical meditation is delight plus obedience. The blessed person “delights in the law of the LORD… and on his law he meditates day and night” (Ps 1:2)Continue reading →
Words, the Tongue, and Mental Health — Life and Death in the MouthFeb 11, 2026Why speech matters to the soul. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov 18:21). “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Prov 12:25).Continue reading →
Identity in Christ vs. Shame — Living from “No Condemnation”Feb 04, 2026The verdict that changes the inner courtroom. The Spirit applies Christ’s finished work so that we are freed from the law of sin and death (8:2–4). In Christ, a new creation dawns.Continue reading →
Healing from Emotional NeglectJan 21, 2026Emotional neglect is often invisible—but its impact is profound. It’s not about what was done to you, but what wasn’t.Continue reading →
Handling Anxiety & Worry — Learning the Non‑Anxious Way of JesusJan 14, 2026Jesus does not minimize real needs; He re‑orders them under the Father’s care. Paul harmonizes this with a practical triad—pray, give thanks, think on what is true and lovely. Peter adds a decisive transfer of weight: cast your anxieties on He cares.Continue reading →
Relationship with God & Mental HealthJan 07, 2026Prayer as mental hygiene (Phil 4:6–9). Paul’s triad—pray, give thanks, think on—is a Spirit‑given antidote to obsessive worry. Present requests with thanksgiving, then curate thought life toward what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable.Continue reading →
Renewing the Mind (Romans 12:2)Dec 31, 2025Paul urges believers, “be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom 12:2 ESV). The verb is passive—God is the primary actor—yet it invites active cooperation: presenting our bodies (12:1), resisting conformity, and practicing new thought–life reflexes.Continue reading →
Christ at the Center of Christmas: Restoring Mental Clarity Through JesusDec 24, 2025The holiday season often comes with emotional collisions—joy meets grief, warmth meets fatigue, and nostalgia meets emptiness. The problem isn’t always the season, but the focus. When Jesus is pushed to the periphery, our mental health suffers.Continue reading →
Christmas and the Care of the Soul: Finding Peace in the Prince of PeaceDec 17, 2025For many, Christmas can trigger complex emotions: joyful nostalgia mixed with sorrowful memories, the excitement of gatherings overshadowed by grief or anxiety. It’s possible to be surrounded by lights and still feel darkness inside.Continue reading →
Biblical Marriage: Covenant, Care, and CommunionDec 10, 2025Marriage is God’s one‑flesh covenant (Gen 2:24) that pictures Christ and the Church (Eph 5:21–33). Guzik stresses Paul’s pattern: mutual submission (v. 21), self‑giving love from husbands, respectful support from wives—rooted in Christ’s love.Continue reading →
Balancing Life, Family, Work, and ChurchDec 03, 2025Wisdom recognizes seasons and priorities: provide for family, work heartily for the Lord, and choose the “one necessary thing” of Jesus’ presence. Guzik highlights God as Master of time in Ecclesiastes 3 and gives pastoral guidance on family care.Continue reading →
Forgiveness & Emotional Freedom — Living the Parable of the ForgivenNov 26, 2025When Peter asks if forgiving “seven times” is enough, Jesus answers “seventy‑seven” (or “seventy times seven”)—not a ledger but a lifestyle rooted in the King’s mercy (Matt 18:21–22). The parable contrasts an unpayable debt remitted by the king with a trifContinue reading →
Healthy Boundaries that Serve LoveNov 19, 2025Jesus is our pattern. Jesus welcomed crowds but also said no: He withdrew for prayer (Luke 5:16), rose early to be alone with the Father (Mark 1:35), and refused demands that misaligned with His mission. That rhythm—engagement and solitude—prevents compassContinue reading →
Stewarding the Body God Gave You — Worship with Your Whole SelfNov 13, 2025The body’s dignity. “Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… you are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19–20). “You formed my inward parts… I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps 139:13–14).Continue reading →
Inner Child Work: What It Is and Why It HelpsNov 05, 2025You carry every version of yourself inside you—including the child you once were. Inner child work is a therapeutic approach that helps you reconnect with and heal those younger parts of yourself that experienced fear, loneliness, or unmet needs.Continue reading →
You Can’t Heal in the Same Environment That Hurt YouOct 29, 2025You sensed it before you said it: some wounds won’t close until you step outside the room that opened them. Jesus modeled this: “And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village” (Mark 8:23, ESV).Continue reading →
Praying Our Pain: Lament as a Biblical Path through DepressionOct 22, 2025Scripture dignifies deep sorrow and shows us how to bring it—fully and faithfully—to God.Continue reading →
Burdens Shared, Hope Sustained: The Church’s Role in Emotional and Spiritual CareOct 15, 2025God intends care to be communal. The local church—imperfect yet Spirit‑filled—bears burdens, speaks life, and prays in hope.Continue reading →
Anxiety Doesn’t Mean You’re Weak—It Means You’re HumanOct 08, 2025Anxiety is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy—and one of the most misunderstood.Continue reading →
The God Who Sees: Suffering, Trauma, and the Nearness of the LordOct 01, 2025The Bible meets suffering not with clichés but with the God who sees, speaks, and saves.Continue reading →
“Do Not Be Anxious”: God Meets Fear with His PeaceSep 24, 2025Anxiety is real and heavy (Prov 12:25), yet the Bible offers a path that does not deny our feelings but reorients them toward a faithful God who cares for us.Continue reading →
Grief After a Loss - Faith and SorrowSep 17, 2025Grief after losing someone you love is not a problem to solve but a process of mind, body, and spirit.Continue reading →
Grief Isn’t Linear: Understanding the Waves of LossSep 10, 2025Grief is one of the most universal—and misunderstood—human experiences.Continue reading →
You’re Not Broken —You’re Just Carrying a LotSep 03, 2025Mental health struggles don’t mean you’re defective.Continue reading →
Perfectionism Is a Trauma ResponseAug 27, 2025Perfectionism often wears a disguise of ambition or high standards—but beneath it is fear. The fear of failure, rejection, or not being enough.Continue reading →
Understanding Codependency: It’s More Common Than You ThinkAug 20, 2025Codependency isn’t just about enabling someone else’s bad behavior—it’s a pattern of losing yourself in relationships.Continue reading →
Social Media and Mental Health: Finding Your BalanceAug 13, 2025Social media can be both a blessing and a burden.Continue reading →
The Truth About Burnout: It’s More Than Just ExhaustionAug 06, 2025Burnout isn’t just being tired—it’s the body and mind's cry for help after too much stress for too long.Continue reading →
When Relationships Feel One-Sided: What to DoJul 30, 2025Relationships are meant to be reciprocal—but sometimes, you find yourself giving more than you get.Continue reading →
The Power of Naming Your EmotionsJul 23, 2025Many of us were never taught how to identify our emotions.Continue reading →
How Trauma Affects the Brain (and How Therapy Helps)Jul 16, 2025Trauma isn’t just something that happened in the past—it can live in your body and brain long after the event is over.Continue reading →
What to Do When You Feel Emotionally NumbJul 09, 2025Emotional numbness can feel like watching life from behind a pane of glass.Continue reading →
What Self-Compassion Actually Looks LikeJul 02, 2025Many people mistake self-compassion for weakness or laziness.Continue reading →
Why You Might Be a People-Pleaser (and How to Change It)Jun 25, 2025Being kind and generous is wonderful—but not when it costs you your peace.Continue reading →
5 Simple Grounding Techniques That Actually WorkJun 18, 2025When anxiety spikes or dissociation sets in, it’s hard to feel present.Continue reading →
Boundaries Aren’t Mean: Why They’re a Form of Self-RespectJun 11, 2025Setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable—especially if you’re used to putting others’ needs ahead of your own.Continue reading →
How Childhood Experiences Shape Adult RelationshipsJun 04, 2025Have you ever wondered why certain relationship patterns keep showing up in your life?Continue reading →
Anxiety Isn’t “Just Stress”: Here’s How to Tell the DifferenceMay 28, 2025Stress is a normal reaction to life’s demands.Continue reading →
What Is Therapy Really Like? A Gentle Introduction for First-TimersMay 21, 2025If you’ve ever thought about starting therapy but weren’t sure what to expect, you’re not alone.Continue reading →
How to Decide if Family Counseling Is Right for YouNov 15, 2023Are family gatherings currently bringing you more stress than joy? This could be a tell-tale sign that you could benefit from family counseling. Read on to learn the signs to look out for and what you can do about them.Continue reading →
4 Drug-Free Ways to Treat Headaches and MigraineOct 10, 2023Are you tired of popping pills to manage headaches and migraine attacks? Try out these four drug-free approaches for effective relief.Continue reading →
What to Expect During EMDR SessionsOct 03, 2023One of the most effective treatments for finding relief from psychological stress is eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Here’s what you can expect during your EMDR sessions.Continue reading →
Anxiety and College: How to Navigate Your Mental Health NeedsSep 08, 2023Are you feeling overwhelmed in college? You're not alone. Many students struggle with anxiety, especially in such a high-pressure environment. In this article, learn how to identify and manage anxiety while in school.Continue reading →
How Does Faith-Based Counseling Differ from Secular Counseling?Aug 18, 2023Talking about your grief, worries, self-doubt, and relational problems is an effective and time-honored way to achieve mental healing, but it only works if your counselor shares your beliefs. Here’s what sets faith-based counseling apart. Continue reading →
Don't Let Diabetes Sneak Up on You: Learn These 6 Early SignsOct 05, 2022Diabetes is a dangerous condition affecting millions that can lead to harmful complications without treatment. In order to prevent dealing with the problems diabetes can bring, it’s important to know the signs to look for.Continue reading →
EMDR for PTSD: What to ExpectSep 20, 2022People living with PTSD may suffer from symptoms that can interfere with their lives. Learn how EMDR can help.Continue reading →
Veterans Day: How to Honor a Veteran.Nov 11, 2020How do you honor a Veteran? Do they want to talk? Will I understand or offend them if I ask for a story? Boiled down, it comes down to 1 thing: RESPECT. Men and women who have served are immersed in a world that is inundated with respect.Continue reading →
Gratefulness: Being Grateful in Uncertain Times.Nov 04, 2020Is there health and healing, really? What does life look like when you have my stress? What do we do when we don’t have enough? Can a person really change? How do I make it through another holiday season? Continue reading →
October Wrap UpOct 28, 2020Another month down in the books! This month we talked about Mental Health Awareness, Halloween, Fall pruning, and future plans. We have had quite the year folks! And this year is not over yet!Continue reading →
Fall Cleaning: Relationship pruning is important.Oct 21, 2020Who, what, when, where, and how. These are valuable questions, and invaluable when paired with answers. The issue is that in order to get the answers, you have to risk asking the questions. Continue reading →
Your Money. Your Goals. Your Budget.Oct 15, 2020Author: Steve Ehlers Constraining. Restrictive. Cheap. No Fun. Coupon Clipping. These are phrases generally associated when a person hears the word “Budget.” People imagine changing their entire lifestyle in order to not spend money and...Continue reading →
What makes a topic controversial?Oct 14, 2020Controversy is something that has driven, divided, and destroyed societies. It has been, and is currently, something that has formed gaps in families, friendships, businesses, churches, governments, countries, and at times the whole world. Continue reading →
Mental Illness Awareness WeekOct 08, 2020This one was hard to write folks! Not only because of the nature of the topic but also because of the personal impact I have seen mental illness have in both my personal and professional life. Continue reading →
End of the month wrap-upSep 28, 2020Month ONE wrap! Super excited! So blessed! This blog is a step into the future here at Open Door Wellness Center. It is a tool that we personally hope helps us all think about the way that we interact with the world around us,...Continue reading →
Organization is important!Sep 21, 2020Organization! Well, now there is a topic! This is something that I have processed in many different ways throughout each and every stage of my life. Whether this was in the exciting days of school shopping,...Continue reading →
Bullying: Everybody is a PeopleSep 14, 2020I want to start this blog today with us going on a journey. I want us to start that journey only if you are in a safe place. A place that you know there is no reason to truly fear. Maybe you’re in your room,...Continue reading →
National Suicide Prevention WeekSep 07, 2020Suicide. It is a painful, traumatic event. An event where a loved one finds themselves in such a dark place that they feel there is no way out. While this is not true and there is always a way out, the path out is rarely illuminated...Continue reading →
Back To School: Take Time for ‘Us’Sep 01, 2020 Back to School! My goodness, I am such a nerd! When I was young, back to school was just so refreshing and new! It meant new supplies, new clothes, new books! It was the smells, sights, and sounds of fall beginning to emerge! Continue reading →