Life By Design Counseling

06/19/2026

Myth: God won’t give you more than you can handle.”

Fact: That phrase is often linked to 1 Corinthians 10:13, but it’s commonly misunderstood. That passage is specifically about temptation—not life’s suffering. It’s a promise that when we are tempted, God will provide a way of escape so we are not forced into sin.

It is *not* a promise that life will never feel overwhelming, painful, or more than we can emotionally carry.

In fact, Jesus was very honest about this reality:
“In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33)

He didn’t soften it. He didn’t deny it. But He didn’t leave us there either.

“…But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The promise of Scripture is not a life free from hardship, but a God who is present in it—and a final hope that suffering does not get the last word.

So if you’ve ever felt like life has been more than you can handle…
or wondered if your struggle meant you were failing spiritually…

You are not a failure.
You are not lacking in faith.
And you are not alone.

You are human. You are walking through something heavy. And you are not walking through it without God.







https://www.lifebydesigncounseling.com/

06/17/2026

Mental Health & Faith Myth: If you just had more faith, you wouldn't be depressed.

Fact: Some of God's most faithful servants experienced profound despair, exhaustion, and emotional distress.

Consider Elijah.

After calling down fire from heaven, he fled for his life. Overwhelmed and afraid, he sat down under a tree and asked God to let him die. He believed he was completely alone. He was exhausted—not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Notice what God did not do.

God did not shame him.
God did not lecture him about his lack of faith.
God did not tell him to "try harder" spiritually.

Instead, God met him with compassion.

He provided food.
He provided rest.
He cared for Elijah's exhausted body before addressing what was weighing on his heart.

When we are beyond our capacity, we don't need condemnation. We need care.

If you struggle with depression, anxiety, grief, or emotional exhaustion, know this:

God is not disappointed in you.

He understands human weakness better than anyone. And sometimes the very calling He has placed on our lives comes with heavy seasons.

His grace is sufficient for you—even here.

📖 1 Kings 19

**"God met Elijah's exhaustion with compassion, not condemnation."**

https://www.lifebydesigncounseling.com/

06/16/2026

06/15/2026

Let’s play a game! 🎯 What’s ONE word you’d use to describe your therapy experience? (Or, if you haven’t been yet, what’s one word that describes how you feel about starting?) 👀⬇

06/15/2026

Growing up with a narcissistic parent can shape your inner world long into adulthood — even if you appear successful on the outside. In my latest blog I explore 7 lasting effects (anxiety, people-pleasing, perfectionism, trust issues, and more) and practical steps toward healing. Read more: https://wix.to/FLBgdNf

If you grew up feeling like you had to earn love, walk on eggshells, manage other people's emotions, or prove your worth over and over again, you may have wondered:"Why am I still affected by my childhood?"Many adults who grew up with a narcissistic parent ask this question. They may appear successf...

06/12/2026

GOD CAME LOOKING FOR THEM...SOMETIMES HEALING BEGINS WHEN WE RISK LOOKING UP INSTEAD OF HIDING.

Shame thrives in hiding.

At its core, shame is often the fear that if we were fully known—our struggles, wounds, fears, and failures—we would be rejected, deemed unworthy, or pushed away.

Because of that fear, many people learn to hide. Sometimes from others. Sometimes from themselves. Sometimes from God.

From an attachment perspective, shame often develops in relationships where vulnerability felt unsafe, needs were dismissed, or acceptance felt conditional.

Over time, those experiences can shape not only how we see ourselves, but also how we imagine God sees us.

The story of Adam and Eve reflects something many people experience emotionally: after becoming aware of their vulnerability, they hid.

Yet the story does not end with hiding.

God came looking for them.

For those who were taught that God's presence requires perfection, flawless faith, or constant spiritual performance, approaching Him may feel frightening rather than comforting.

Shame can create the expectation of rejection long before any real connection is possible.

Part of healing involves exploring where those expectations came from.

In faith-integrated therapy, there is space to bring your thoughts, questions, emotions, doubts, and fears into the open without having to clean them up first.

Sometimes healing begins when we risk looking up instead of hiding.

And sometimes what we discover is very different from what shame led us to expect.

When you think about God seeing the real you, what emotions come up first?

Has shame ever affected the way you relate to God?



https://www.lifebydesigncounseling.com/

06/11/2026

**How you see God may have been shaped long before you knew what theology was.**

For a young child, parents often feel larger than life...powerful, all-knowing, and responsible for safety, comfort, and guidance.

Because of this, our earliest experiences with caregivers can quietly shape our image of God.

If you grew up with a parent who was harsh, unpredictable, controlling, emotionally unavailable, or difficult to please, you may find yourself expecting God to be the same way.

Then, if experiences in religious settings reinforced those beliefs, those assumptions can become even more deeply rooted.

You may know intellectually that God is loving, gracious, and trustworthy, yet still feel afraid of disappointing Him, being rejected by Him, or never measuring up.

This is often referred to as your **God image**-the emotional and relational picture you carry of who God is.

The good news is that a God image is not fixed.

As you study Scripture for yourself, engage in faith-integrated therapy, and experience safe, healing relationships, it is possible for old assumptions to be challenged and replaced.

Sometimes healing involves not only learning new truths about God, but also allowing yourself to experience Him differently than you have before.

Your past may have shaped your God image, but it does not have to define it forever.

**Have you ever noticed a connection between the way you were treated growing up and the way you relate to God today?** Drop a comment if you want to share.👇
https://www.lifebydesigncounseling.com/

06/10/2026

Healing from church hurt or religious abuse doesn't have to mean walking away from your faith.

One of the first steps in healing is learning to name the harm and tell the truth about what happened. Not minimizing it. Not excusing it. Not pretending it didn't affect you.

Then, slowly and gently, the work becomes learning to separate the religious person, church, or system that hurt you from the God you worship.

What happened to you may have been done in God's name, but that does not mean it reflected God's heart.

For many people, healing is not about choosing between their faith and their recovery. It is about creating space for both.

There is hope. It is possible to grieve what was lost, reclaim your voice, and rebuild trust in yourself...and, if you choose, in your faith.

06/09/2026

Will a narcissist ever change? And how do faith and hope play into our perspectives on this question? It’s one of the hardest questions when you love someone who shows narcissistic traits. In my latest article, I break down hope vs. reality, what real change requires, how to protect yourself while seeking clarity. I also share some thoughts on the intersection of faith and freewill. Read more: https://wix.to/EmbJjyT

Key takeaways: recognizing patterns, realistic red flags, steps toward safety and healing, and faith under fire in the face of narcissistic abuse. Share if this resonates. You’re not alone.

If you've been in a relationship with someone who shows strong narcissistic traits, chances are you've asked yourself this question more than once:Will my narcissistic partner ever change?Maybe you've watched them apologize through tears.Maybe they've promised to get help.Maybe they've told you they...

06/07/2026

If you learned to silence your intuition to please others, it may take time to hear it again.
Reconnection is usually gradual...learning to notice your inner voice, honoring it in small ways, and slowly rebuilding trust in what you already know within yourself.
https://www.lifebydesigncounseling.com/