Developing Our Strengths while Managing Our Weaknesses
Many are painfully aware of weaknesses that hold them back. Yet, surprisingly, they are unaware of their many strengths. Focusing on our weaknesses while ignoring our strengths can be a source of discouragement and failure. And glorifying our strengths while ignoring our weaknesses can be equally unproductive. It is only when we…

From the Ridicluous to the Sublime If you were asked to give an example of something ridiculous, what would you say? What do you consider foolish, irrational, absurd, stupid or senseless? What could be more ridiculous than to neglect oneself, ignore what is in one's best interest, and squander one's vast potential? Does it make any sense to curb your…

Fear of Dying in Pain
Pauline is a 55-year-old, two-time cancer survivor who is terribly afraid of possible future suffering and a premature death. She also feels guilty about her fear because she believes that as a Christian she shouldn't be afraid, and she should be able to completely trust in God. Pauline is wondering if I have any…

"I can never forgive him for that."
When Abigail was asked about her father, she wryly said, "I use to miss him, but now my aim is better." Welcoming the opportunity to vent, she explained how her father cruelly taunted her as a child. She was constantly belittled and ridiculed and made to feel worthless. "I can never forgive him for that." she went on to add.

But which is more tragic, the alleged maltreatment Abigail experienced as a child or her inability to forgive her dad? She has been holding on to resentment for more than half…

Two trees growing close together, but not in each other's shadow
Nature is a great teacher. A walk in a forest can teach us about life and help us to experience something far greater than ourselves. Suppose you came upon a colony of mushrooms decorating the forest floor, what would you see? At first, we may believe the hundreds of mushrooms are individual plants, but actually they are all parts of the same organism. You see, they are all sprouting from the same underground fungal network called a mycelium. We are like mushrooms. We appear separate and distinct. Yet,…

Surrender isn't a dirty word
Surrender sounds like a dirty word. It conjures up an image of someone standing with arms held high, perhaps with a white flag, giving up to the enemy. In spiritual terms, however, surrender means to stand with arms outstretched, embracing the world. It is unconditional acceptance of what is. It is not mere toleration of any unpleasant circumstances or events we may face, but it is the joyful welcome we give to what cannot be changed. We do this because we are secure in the knowledge that our present circumstances, however difficult they may…

Don't mope, cope while there's still hopeWhat is meant by coping? In the broad psychological sense it is the way we respond to our environment and the people we live and work with. However, this article is based on the common use of the term. That is, coping is making the best of a situation; it is coming to terms with or successfully dealing with whatever comes our way. It is rolling with the punches and going with the flow. It is about handling or managing our life. Coping is about survival, about not being beaten into submission, and about…