Blessed Assurance, November 2
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5. We have but one life to live, and through our daily connection with God we have, in and through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, a constant sustenance in doing the things that will represent Christ to the world. We may not have all the conveniences that some have in ease and comfort and in earthly goods, but we have the blessed assurance which Christ gave to His believing disciples.... To them He said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).... Blessed words! We may receive Him into our hearts, and He will be unto us hope and courage and sustaining grace. The Lord would have us trust fully and entirely in Him. Then we will, in the simplicity of our faith, believe that Christ will do for us all that He has promised. Let all come to the Saviour in the full assurance that He will do all that He has promised. We cannot please our Saviour more than by having faith in His promises. His mercies can come to you, and your prayers can come to Him. Nothing can break this line of communication. We must learn to bring all perplexities to Jesus Christ, for He will help us. He will listen to our requests. We may come to Him in full assurance of faith, nothing doubting, for He is the living Way.... The more we press our petitions to His throne, the more sure we are of constantly receiving the great grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You do not give strength to the road you are traveling by [having] faith. But you increase in strength and in assurance because you have a Guide right by your side, and you can ask Him with perfect faith to guide your steps aright. Then trust in the Lord Jesus to lead you step by step into the right path. You can derive assurance and strength at every step you advance, for you can be assured that your hand is in His hand. You can “run and not be weary”; you can “walk and not faint,” for you can realize by faith that you have your hand in the hand of Christ. You will not sink under discouragement, for as you follow on to know the Lord, trusting in Him, you will have the assurance that the One who never forsakes those who fully trust Him is your constant Helper.—Letter 313, November 2, 1905, to Mabel White, her 19-year-old granddaughter. Blessed Assurance, November 2 Remember to use coping skills when feeling overwhelmed but also know that God is your source of strength and will guide you and lead you along each path.
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Research has shown the cultivating the attitude of gratitude and thanks will benefit your mental well being and often serve as a way to understand your blessings. When clients are feeling upset, sad, and lonely I ask them to start a gratitude journal and have them write down 5 things they are grateful for that day i.e. waking up, having their health, family, support, and clothes. Something as simple as 5 things a day has increased self-esteem and positive regard. I also ask clients to make the list and carry it with them and add to it each day. This serves as a reminder of life and how much they have to be thankful for each day. I ask them to reflect on the items written down and process their thoughts and feelings about it in session.
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Shanaz Ikonne, LPC, NCCArchives
March 2022
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