Spiritual Development Archives - Christian Counseling Pasadena

Light for Your Path: Bible Verses About Hope

Light for Your Path: Bible Verses About Hope

By Jennifer Kooshian|2024-09-30T12:59:04+00:00December 21st, 2023|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

Some say that the past is the best predictor of future behavior. While that can be true in some instances, those of us who are in Christ have a new nature. It is out of this true identity, knowing who we are and to Whom we belong, that we can experience enduring transformation and hope (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1-2). Consider the following Bible verses about hope to find some encouragement. Bible verses about hope The changes we encounter in our relationship with Jesus are informed by the Word, the ultimate Authority, which has the power to shift what is seen and unseen, in this present world and the one to come (John 1:1). That can be a source of encouragement and hope to light an otherwise obscure path, comforted in that we do not have to remain the same, locked into old behaviors, beliefs, and ways of being (Psalm 119:89, 105). We can find hope and continue growing into who God desires us to be. With Scripture, we can draw inspiration and encouragement for navigating challenging times with Bible verses about hope. The words of the prophet Jeremiah urge us to delight in God’s steadfastness with each sunset and sunrise (Lamentations 3:21-26). Our Father is faithful, providing us with new mercies to envelop us amid every threat. Between the poles of each day, the Psalmist reminds us that the praise of the Lord will sustain us in and through all we endure (Psalm 113:3). These verses are the beacons that point to hope so that we can emerge from our past, abide in our present, and advance into our future with God. While we all endure troublesome circumstances just as Jesus forewarned, the hope the Bible comforts with is not limited to the change of temporal conditions (John [...]

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5 Bible Truths For a Positive Body Image

5 Bible Truths For a Positive Body Image

By Kate Motaung|2024-09-30T12:57:48+00:00October 25th, 2023|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

In this article, we will look at five biblical truths to remember as we try to move to a more positive body image. 5 Biblical Truths for a More Positive Body Image 1. We are made in the image of God. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27, NIV This is a spectacular truth, so try to let it sink into your heart. Pause for a moment and reflect. The amazing God of all creation has made you in His image. Not just your heart, soul, and mind, but in some way your body too. There could not be a stronger reason to have a positive body image than that. 2. Everything God has made is good. The second truth to hold on to is that God Himself considers all his creation good, including the bodies He made for us: God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. – Genesis 1:31, NIV Even after the Fall, and the brokenness of the world and our bodies that followed, Scripture doesn’t ever revoke the fact that we are made in God’s image (though this image may be tarnished) nor the fact that creation is good. 3. God’s opinion is the one that should matter most. The third truth is to choose carefully who you listen to. The Bible warns against “the fear of man” which is to let other people’s opinions have a controlling influence in our lives. God is the One we should be listening to. If He says our bodies are good, then don’t let other people convince you otherwise. Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – Proverbs 29:25, NIV 4. God will ultimately [...]

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Can You Recognize Effective Coaching?

Can You Recognize Effective Coaching?

By Kate Motaung|2024-09-30T12:56:20+00:00August 25th, 2023|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Professional Development, Spiritual Development|

You have heard of the idea of getting coaching for various challenges that have come up in the workplace, but how will you know the difference between effective coaching and the opposite? In this short article, we look at three tangible outcomes that may accompany effective coaching. On a personal level, the opportunity to benefit from coaching will promote an individual’s personal growth and improvement over time through self-development. From a company-wide perspective, there are several ways to structure as well as measure effective coaching. A short list of these may include promotion, performance, better coordination inside and outside teams, and higher retention rates. These are useful to measure effective coaching once the program has ended, but how can you evaluate the program while it is still in progress, and how are improvements seen in the working week? Effective coaching outcomes and indicators Better personal performance. A high-performing employee can see the broader picture, and so more easily collaborates with other team members and with those of different skill sets. The development time required for such a person is shortened through focused coaching in areas such as project planning, strategic thinking, or influencing others. To effectively examine and improve these areas the coach needs to be able to communicate their technical expertise of personality factors that influence these competencies, such as emotional intelligence, imposter syndrome, and ego. Those receiving coaching come to understand what areas they need to work on, and then how to do this while staying true to themselves so that the personal growth continues after the coaching sessions are ended. Improving team coordination and outcomes. When a leader is coached, it is not only their performance that will improve, but their team will also benefit from higher outputs. Effective coaching will facilitate a high-performing leader’s desire [...]

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Key Signs of Spiritual Growth and Maturity

Key Signs of Spiritual Growth and Maturity

By Kate Motaung|2024-09-30T12:57:40+00:00July 11th, 2023|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

Every living thing grows, and that’s no less true of our spiritual lives, which require spiritual growth. New life in Jesus needs to be nurtured toward maturity. One of the images Jesus uses to describe the relationship we have with God in this new life is that Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. We are vitally connected to Him and draw our life from Him, allowing us to produce fruit in our lives (John 15:1-8). God is the gardener who prunes the vine to make it more fruitful. That fruit is “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). How do you discern if you’re growing spiritually and are becoming more mature in the faith? There are a few ways you can tell. Signs of spiritual growth and maturity Becoming more like Jesus. The Christian life is all about becoming increasingly like Jesus. The apostle Paul said that the goal of his ministry was to “present everyone fully mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28, NIV). Hardships and trials are part of the way our faith is tested and proved, and it’s how we develop Christian character, hope, and stability (James 1:2-5; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Romans 5:3-5). The more we become like Jesus, the more we’ll possess the same outlook He did, love people as He did, be as joyful as He was, and also encounter persecution and rejection as He did (John 15:18-27). If you find yourself having greater compassion and love for people, especially for the people who hate you, then you know you’re becoming more like Jesus. He fully lived out the ethic of blessing those who persecute you, and of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves – He died on the cross to save His enemies (Romans 5:8). [...]

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9 Bible Verses About Not Worrying

9 Bible Verses About Not Worrying

By Kate Motaung|2024-09-30T12:57:29+00:00February 18th, 2023|Anxiety, Featured, Individual Counseling, Spiritual Development|

Worrying and being anxious about our loved ones, the world in general, or where we might be going in our lives is natural. It is challenging to turn away from this unbiblical response to difficult circumstances and demands that we take a stand with God as our guide to show us the way. 9 Bible Verses About Not Worrying The following Bible verses about not worrying will encourage you to look to the Lord from whom all help comes. As you commit to being prayerful in your moments of anxiety and worry, you will start to experience the peace that God has promised. He will lead you along the right path that He has already mapped out ahead of you. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked. – Proverbs 3:25, NIV In this verse, Solomon is advising his son to be unafraid of immediate calamity in life. When we live under the shadow of God’s wings, we can fear less, knowing that we belong to God. We can trust that He is sovereign over our lives. Those who live their lives apart from God can end up in situations that lead to dire consequences. As a Christian, you certainly won’t be immune to hardship, but the Lord can protect and guide you. As you are exposed to the dangers that lurk in this broken world, you do not need to live in fear because you are safe in His arms. This Bible verse about not worrying implies we need to actively seek God’s peace, determined to take hold of this bold promise that we are protected from evil in a way that surpasses all understanding. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:7, NIV In conclusion [...]

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Spiritual Disciplines that Promote Spiritual Development

Spiritual Disciplines that Promote Spiritual Development

By Kate Motaung|2024-09-30T12:57:04+00:00July 27th, 2020|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

Spiritual development and spiritual growth are important biblical concepts because God wants His people to know Him deeply, live in a way that honors Him, and reflect His image. In the Bible, it is referred to as sanctification. Sanctification (as defined in Strong’s Concordance) means “consecration or purification, a sanctification of heart and life, holiness.” It is a process of becoming more like Jesus, continually turning away from sin, and turning toward Him. Some verses in the Bible that point to the idea of spiritual growth or development in terms of sanctification: For this is the will of God, your sanctification. – 1 Thessalonians 4:3 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. – Romans 6:22 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. – Ephesians 4:20-24 Other passages describe spiritual development and growth in comparison to an infant being on milk to a more mature person on solid food, like: About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain since you have become ill of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the [...]

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