Shield Bearer Counseling Centers

Choosing love over hate is NOT passive and it does NOT require us to compromise our values. In reality, it's the opposite. It requires us to stand firm in who we are, without giving in to the toxic undercurrents of division. It requires courage. "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." But how do we actually do that when emotions run high? 1. Pause before responding. When tempers rise, give yourself a moment to process before reacting. 2. Focus on your values. Ask yourself, "What is the truth in this situation? What do I stand for?" Stay rooted in your core principles. Avoid getting swept up in external chaos. 3. Empathy and perspective. Seek to understand before being understood. Respond with empathy, not defensiveness. 4. Set boundaries. Love doesn't mean tolerating abuse. Be firm about what is acceptable, but do so calmly.

Forgiveness is not just an act of mercy; it is an act of freedom. When we refuse to forgive, we think we’re holding power over the one who wronged us, but in reality, we’re chaining ourselves to their hurt. Forgiveness isn’t for them; it’s for you. When you forgive, you don’t just release them, you release yourself from bitterness and the slow decay it causes in your soul. It's natural for us to hold grudges, to seek revenge, to "protect ourselves" from vulnerability. But when we do this, we only serve to deepen the wounds. We think we are shielding ourselves from pain, but we end up stewing in it, growing more resentful and self-destructive. The very thing we think is protecting us is actually eroding our well-being. Forgiveness opens a door to healing. It invites us to transcend our emotions and take action, to make a conscious choice to follow Christ’s example. It’s not easy. It’s not for the faint of heart. But it’s the only path to peace. It’s the path to Christ. Let’s stop believing the lie that holding onto bitterness empowers us. Let’s start forgiving, not because they deserve it, but because we do.

Your worth is not defined by labels, diagnoses, or external opinions. It is given to you by God, who calls you His beloved child. Anxiety, depression, or autism may be part of your experience, but they do not define you. God’s love for you is unchanging and transcendent. You are not a victim of labels. Your worth is inherent and divine. You are precious, not because of what you do, but because of who you are in Him. Live in that truth and embrace your true identity as a child of God.

It’s easy to get caught in the trap of thinking that something outside of us—another degree, a better job title, a more refined personality—holds the key to fulfilling our purpose. But what if it’s all already inside us? "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." Yet, the lie we often buy into is that the dream, the purpose, or the work is only accessible once we’ve reached a certain point or acquired more accolades. The truth is, God's grace is already at work in us. We don’t need to "perfect" ourselves before stepping out—Christ’s love has already perfected us. Waiting for "the right moment" is, in essence, denying the sufficiency of God’s provision. Instead of waiting for something external, start by stepping into what God has already equipped you for. Act now. What you already have—your unique experiences, your current gifts, and your willing heart—are enough to begin. The fear of imperfection paralyzes us, but in reality, it’s our willingness to step forward, not our perfection, that unlocks what God has already prepared. Ask yourself, “What can I do right now with what I already have?” Don’t wait for the ideal moment, because that moment is already here. The tools you need to fulfill your purpose are already in your hands. The first move is often the hardest, but once you make it, the next one becomes clearer. So step forward, knowing that God has already provided everything you need to do His work in the world.

Building character is essential to living a fully human life. Lacking them is the root of most of our day to day challenges, negative outlooks, and broken relationships. Lack of these virtues is rampant in society. From social media’s false bravado to the pervasive sense of entitlement in both personal and professional spaces, we see the consequences every day: fractured relationships, quick-tempered outbursts, dishonesty, self-centeredness, and a lack of perseverance in the face of adversity. Families suffer as impatience and selfishness tear at the fabric of connection. We argue over trivial things, seeking power over one another instead of seeking mutual understanding and respect. What if we started cultivating these traits—first in ourselves, then in our families and communities? Patience would replace frustration. Courage would banish fear. Honesty would heal lies. Humility would replace pride, and selflessness would repair the damage of selfishness. Building character starts with intention. It requires the humility to admit our flaws, the courage to face discomfort, and the patience to allow growth to unfold. Begin with small actions: choose to listen instead of speaking, to act selflessly even when it’s inconvenient, and to be patient with both others and yourself. In doing so, we not only change ourselves—we begin to change the world around us. Building character starts with intention. It requires the humility to admit our flaws, the courage to face discomfort, and the patience to allow growth to unfold. Begin with small actions: choose to listen instead of speaking, to act selflessly even when it’s inconvenient, and to be patient with both others and yourself. In doing so, we not only change ourselves—we begin to change the world around us. Building character starts with intention. It requires the humility to admit our flaws, the courage to face discomfort, and the patience to allow growth to unfold. Begin with small actions: choose to listen instead of speaking, to act selflessly even when it’s inconvenient, and to be patient with both others and yourself. In doing so, we not only change ourselves—we begin to change the world around us.

The identity crisis we’re facing is rooted in the belief that our worth is based on performance—what we do, how we look, and how others perceive us. But this is a lie. We only find deep emptiness when we seek validation in the wrong places. Young people chase validation through social media, adults measure worth by success, and older generations struggle with relevance. This leads to insecurity, anxiety, and fractured relationships. We must stop measuring ourselves by external standards and begin living from a place of security in God's love. Recognize the lie of performance-based worth, let go of the pressure to be perfect, and embrace the truth: you are enough, just as you are.

Change is a disruptive force that requires courage and action. You can't simply hope for things to get better. Change requires commitment. It's about taking actionable steps every single day. Don't be a victim of your circumstances. That's a trap. It will keep you paralyzed. What are you doing TODAY to change? Change requires action. 1. Identify one toxic habit and replace it with a healthier one. 2. Have intention for the day. Set a goal for today. Just one. Then get it done. 3. Say out loud, "I am responsible for my choices." These are three small steps, but their cumulative impact will shock you. It's time to stop waiting for change to happen to you. If you want to change, then act.

The world tells us to chase comfort, to eliminate discomfort at all costs. It is through struggle that we find our true selves. “No one can ever be truly great without encountering adversity,” Aristotle wrote. It’s not adversity that defeats us, but our reluctance to face it. We want to grow, but we don't want the discomfort that growth demands. We often view suffering as something to endure passively. The truth is, we can actively engage in our suffering, asking, "What am I learning from this? What part of me needs refining?" Next time you face a challenge, instead of running from it, step into it with curiosity. Ask yourself what hidden strength is waiting to be uncovered.

Break free from the cycle of unhappiness driven by negative behaviors and thought patterns. Own your priorities and reclaim your time. Think about what brings you joy and energy then block out that time and DO IT (read, walk, paint, see a friend...). Practice Radical Honesty with YOURSELF: Journal - unfiltered, no judgement. Turn 'I Can't' into 'I Can't YET': Everytime you catch yourself thinking, "I can't do this," replace it with "What am I missing?" or "How can I learn to do this?" Turn your mistakes into stepping stones by reframing failure as an opportunity for growth. There are many changes you can make to improve your outlook. Call Shield Bearer and we can help you create a path out. 281-894-7222

Change isn't passive. We have such an opportunity to be change in the world. God makes saints out of sinners. It is through our flaws and weaknesses that God's transformative work becomes most visible. The world doesn't need more of trying to change the world - it needs us allowing God to change us so that we can reflect Him more fully. "To transform the world, we must first transform ourselves". Our work must begin in prayer, reflection, humility, and deep commitment to grow in our relationship with Jesus. If we want to change the world, we need to allow God to change us first. If we're willing to be changed, the world will inevitably follow.