Finding Hope This Christmas With Jesus

How are you doing this Christmas?

Are you having a hard time finding hope in the world?

God gave His only Son to die in our place so that we, in all our brokenness, could know forgiveness. 

He came so that we could know what love feels like, real love – love that never leaves, love that never disappoints, love that is never betrayed. 

He sent His Son into a corrupted world to bring us hope.
 
Are you having a hard time finding peace? 
It doesn't have to be that way. 

You can have peace and find hope and know forgiveness through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Bring peace to my world this Christmas. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, pray it right now and Christ will come into your life as He promised. If you invited Jesus Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life.

The Story of Jesus

"About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was the governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's hometown, for the census. As a decendant of David he had to go there. 

He went with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant.While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the hostel.

There were shepherds camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. 

Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: "Glory to God in the heavenly heights; Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him."

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the shepherds talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. 

Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the shepherds were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!"  (Luke 2:1-20).

Reference
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/christmas/christmasstory.htm

There is hope and healing available for you! JESUS LOVES YOU!

Wishing you a joyful Christmas!

By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                               Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Now Seeing Clients Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays!

Starting January 2016, I will be available more to see clients! 

I will be in the office Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays!

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

 Jeremiah 29:11

By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                    Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Denial- Understanding The First Stage Of Grief

Denial is the first stage of grief. 

It actually assists us to survive our loss.

In the Denial stage, the world becomes meaningless and overwhelming to us. 

Life makes no sense to us. 

We are in a state of shock and denial. We often feel numb. 

We wonder how we can go on, if we can go on, and why we should go on. 

We then attempt to find a way to simply get through each day. Simple tasks can become difficult for us.

However, denial and shock actually help you to cope and make survival possible because denial helps you to pace our feelings of grief. 

As you accept the reality of your loss and start to ask yourself questions, you are unknowingly beginning the healing process. 

You are becoming stronger, and the denial is beginning to fade. However, as you proceed, all the feelings you were denying begin to surface.

Allow yourself to grieve and to experience the first stage of grief of your loss.

Give yourself grace. Denial is a natural response to loss.

Seeking counseling and joining a grief support group can help.

Reference

Grief.com 

Grief support groups will be starting in January at Diane's office.

By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                                  Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Feeling Lonely as the Holidays Draw Near- Ways to Cope

Many people feel lonely as Thanksgiving gets closer. People can feel lonely even if they have loved ones in their lives. 

Others may feel lonely because they are in fact alone.

Holidays tend to get us thinking of family and most of us have lost loved ones. As Thanksgiving draws near, we start to miss our loved ones who are gone and it can be extremely painful. 

There is also pressure from society to connect and be with others during the holidays. This can make us feel even more vulnerable to feel lonely.

WAYS TO COPE:

Seek company. Attend a meet- up group. Go to Church and a small group such as Sunday School class to connect with others.

Implement Self-Care. When you feel lonely and down in spirits, it is important to demonstrate self-care or you will end up feeling worse. Get fresh air and exercise, do something that you enjoy, drink water, and eat healthy.

Acknowledge your feelings and explore them. There may be good reasons as to why you feel lonely as the holidays approach. Think over possible reasons and try to understand the factors that may contribute to how you may be feeling especially lonely at this time.    

Volunteer. Reaching out to others who are worse off than you can make you feel better in many ways.

Talk to Someone. Talk to a friend if possible and/ or seek counseling. It is helpful and healthy to talk to someone. It can help you to better understand and to get validation as to why this particular time is especially difficult for many people. 

Count your blessings! Think of what you are thankful for.

Pray! Your Heavenly Father is always with you and He loves you!

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8

By Diane Gammon M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counselor

                    Blog Website LivingWithHopeCounseling.com