Personal Development

Christian Personal Development Counseling Success Story

Part 1: I’m Stuck in a Rut
Julie felt like something was missing in her life. She often told family and friends that she felt, “stuck in a rut.” She couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was that made her feel that way, she just felt like a hole was growing inside her. Julie was fairly happy with most things in her life. She had a decent job, had wonderful family and friends, but she felt something was lacking — something to move her from just existing and trudging through life to really living it.

Do you relate to Julie? If you do, then Christian counseling might be a good idea. We all have points in our lives when we need help sorting through emotions, goals, or someone to help nudge us along when we are feeling stuck. Everyone has basic needs that if unmet, can leave them feeling like there isn’t enough balance or satisfaction in their lives. This is so important, that we even have a way of categorizing these needs. It is called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

To consider this idea more fully, reflect on the Lord’s prayer:

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For the Kingdom, the power and the glory
Are yours now and forever.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and Christian Counseling

It’s truly amazing the parallels between modern psychology and teaching of the Bible. What’s even more incredible is the comfort given us through Christ Jesus. He promises that all God’s children will be cared for. In seeking the kingdom of God and its righteousness (Matthew 6:33), all else is given us. As an example of how we are to pray, and what we are to seek after, Jesus gave is this simple prayer. Not to be used in a vain, repetitious manner, but to show us that God knows of our needs, and He will provide them.

Our Daily Bread: Physiological needs

Give us our daily bread. It doesn’t get much more basic or more important than that. Maslow’s first level of needs is physiological or physical necessities. Shelter, food, water – these are the basics we each need in order to survive. Obviously, if you aren’t eating well, sleeping well, or if you’re living conditions aren’t healthy, this will have an impact on your ability to thrive.

Deliverance From Evil: Safety needs

The tie here between deliverance from evil and safety might seem like a stretch, but when you think about it, the connection is pretty solid. Though Maslow referred to things like shelter and security, when you ask yourself, “what is evil?” what comes to mind? If you’re living in abuse, fear, or are bound by a life of sin, then you’re not going to feel very secure physically, spiritually, emotionally, or in any way. You might even know cognitively that you are safe, but you often feel unsafe. This might be a symptom of neglect or trauma from your past. Locating your sense of peace is one of the primary goals of Christian counseling.

Forgiveness: Love and Belongingness

Nothing makes a person feel loved like the power of forgiveness. Christ Jesus is the ultimate example of that pureness of love. If you’re struggling to forgive, long to be forgiven, or have strain in your relationships with yourself, loved ones, or with Jesus, we can help you put the pieces together. Forgiving is a difficult process but one that is at the core of personal freedom and satisfaction.

Glory to God: Esteem needs

Learning to love and appreciate yourself can be hard. We are flawed creatures, and sometimes we put up walls to protect ourselves from pain. When we put up walls against receiving God’s love for us, we might need someone to help us see our value and to remind us that we are children of the almighty God. We matter and everything we do has a purpose, even if we can’t see it. In giving glory to God, we find humility, peace, and a love for the creation that God has made us to be. There is nothing more solid than to surrender to our Heavenly Father and affirm his love, acceptance and care for us.

God’s Kingdom: Self-actualization

What is self-actualization? From a psychological perspective, it’s a kind of personal need for growth and reaching our fullest potential. How much more can God’s word add to this idea!? We all strive to reach higher levels of peace, satisfaction, service, and righteousness as promised by Christ Jesus as we long for the Kingdom of God. With such a wonderful thing to lean into and to see Christ formed in us, we will see personal growth beyond what we ever thought possible. That being said, there are times in all of our lives when we get bogged down by trying to meet all of our other needs, that self-actualization is shelved and that’s a problem. The type of problem that doesn’t go away on its own.

If your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs require some balance or fulfillment, then you’ve come to the right place. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we can help you shed light on areas of your life that need a boost while offering you practical solutions to make your personal development goals a reality.

Part 2: Christian Counseling? Really!?

One of Julie’s friends suggested Christian counseling. “Why?” she thought. “I’m not depressed, I have fairly healthy and satisfying relationships, I don’t struggle with mental illness. What could counseling really do for me?” Then her friend said something that made her think: “You say you’re stuck. Do you know why? Maybe they can help you figure that out.” Julie thought about it, then decided to give counseling a try. What did she have to lose?

The idea that counseling is just for people with real problems is common. In reality, anything that keeps you from living fully is a problem, and it’s sad how people tend to put their needs on the back burner. We love to see people shine, to live each day with a sense of purpose, belonging, and peace. That’s what Christian counseling is about.

The Importance of Setting Goals

One fairly fail-safe way of keeping life interesting and meaningful is to set goals. Goal setting keeps you focused, motivated, and encourages you when you see progress being made. That being said, it’s important to set goals the right way. That can be challenging for many, but we can help you. Together we will define what areas of your life could use improvement, and write a list of attainable goals. From there we can explore options for success. Goal setting is a fundamental part of Christian personal development counseling – one that can be fun and exciting!

Common Personal Growth Areas Include:

• Self-esteem building
• Engaging more fully with others
• Career counseling
• Overcoming personal barriers to happiness
• Healthy lifestyle changes
• Spiritual growth

Again, here we see many aspects of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Though simple in theory, getting to a point in life where all needs are met and balanced can be challenging. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we are dedicated to helping you reach your goals using proven counseling methods and faith-based principles.

Part 3: Self-Discovery

Personal Development counseling was one of the best things Julie ever did for herself. Though she felt a little silly at first, she soon became very enthusiastic when she started setting goals for her life. Julie realized that she needed more fun in her life and wanted more friends. She started taking photography classes, and she loved it. She even made a new friend in her class. Julie learned about goal setting and the importance of living a balanced life. She carried these tools with her always, helping her continue to grow long after counseling ended.

The wonderful counselors at Tacoma Christian Counseling are passionate about helping others build healthy, Christ-filled lives. Other counseling groups are too, but what makes us different is our faith-based approach for healing of the spirit as well as the mind and body. If you’re looking for a group of skilled, compassionate counselors who will uphold and encourage your faith, then Tacoma Christian Counseling is the pace for you. We have helped people of all ages and backgrounds overcome a vast variety of struggles. Whatever you’re going through, we are sure to have the perfect Christian counselor for you.

What kind of Christian counselor do I need?

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we have many wonderful counselors who specialize in a variety of focus areas, including personal development. To find the right counselor for you, we welcome you to browse our online counselor directory. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

How long does Christian personal development counseling last?

That depends. We don’t put timelines on Christian personal development counseling, but rather work with you to develop a plan of treatment and goal setting that suits your unique needs. For some, it’s a fairly simple and short process, while others need more time.

What is the difference in individual counseling and personal development counseling?

Christian counseling focused on personal development is designed to help you reach your full potential and to find happiness and balance in your life. There are times when this process might uncover some hidden issues, and if that is the case we can help. Traditional individual counseling focuses on many of the same things but tends to focus first on things that most would consider more severe problems like depression, anxiety, relationship issues, addictions, and other mental-health concerns. Once those are out of the way, the personal development side can be leaned into.

How do I schedule an appointment?

We offer our clients a few options for scheduling with us. You can either contact a counselor directly through the counselor directory (link above) or you can call or contact one of our representatives online (see below).

Now’s the time to begin your journey of personal growth! Contact us today.

If you’re ready to supercharge your life through Christian personal development counseling, we are here to help. To schedule your risk-free initial session, simply give us a call at (253) 777-1997 or contact us online.