Evergreen Christian Counseling

11/25/2025

This time of year can bring so much joy, but it can also bring stress that feels heavy. When we feel overwhelmed, our fight or flight response kicks in, and suddenly everything feels like too much to carry. As I was reflecting this morning, I noticed the symmetry between stress and the cold. When we step outside and the air is freezing, we have a choice. We can stay in the cold and try to endure it on our own, or we can come inside where it is warm.

Life works the same way. When circumstances feel difficult, many of us try to manage it all by ourselves. But God invites us to come in from the wind and the cold. He invites us to step into his warmth, his light, and his comfort.

My devotional this morning reminded me how our first instinct is often to find someone to vent to. There can be a moment of relief in letting it all out, and sometimes God gives us people who walk with us. But even the most caring friends cannot fix the things only God can heal. In this season where stress, grief, and pressure can rise, he invites us to lean in. Come inside. Rest. Allow him to steady your heart.

Psalm 61:2 says, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

And Isaiah 26:3 reminds us, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

If this season feels heavy, remember you do not have to face the cold alone. God is near, and peace is closer than you think.

11/19/2025

Relinquishing Control

One of the hardest things we face in life is accepting that we cannot control everything around us. We try to manage every outcome, hold every detail together, and carry burdens that were never meant to rest on our shoulders. The truth is that clinging to control often leaves us feeling exhausted, anxious, and discouraged.

There is a different way.

In counseling, I often lean on principles from CBT to help reset those thoughts that keep us in a cycle of worry.

A few gentle steps that can help

Pause and identify the thought. When your mind jumps to the worst case scenario or tries to force an outcome, take a moment to stop and name the thought. Bringing it into the light helps break its power.

Challenge what is true. Ask yourself, “Is this something I can actually change?” and “What evidence supports this fear?” Often the thought loses strength once we test it.

Practice release. Shift your focus to what you can control your words, your choices, your responses, and surrender the rest back to God. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us to cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us.

Ground yourself in the present. Slow your breathing, notice what is around you, and let your body settle. Calm often begins with simple awareness.

Give yourself patience. Learning to let go is a process. God is patient with us, so we can be patient with ourselves.

When we let go of what is not ours to hold, we create room for peace. We create room for God to move. And we remind ourselves that surrender is not losing control, it is choosing trust.

If you are struggling with this right now, you are not alone. Evergreen Christian Counseling is here to walk with you through it.

11/07/2025

Permission to Pause 🌿

This time of year can be beautiful, but it can also be exhausting. Between the to-do lists, family gatherings, and expectations, it is easy to forget that rest is allowed.

Even Jesus stepped away from the noise and found quiet places to renew His strength (Mark 6:31). That same invitation is open to all of us.

You do not have to have it all together. You do not have to do it all.
Pause. Breathe. Pray. Reflect.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest and let your heart catch up.

Whether your peace comes from prayer, reflection, or simply slowing down for a moment, may you find space to breathe and feel renewed today. 💛

11/03/2025

Navigating Grief During the Holidays

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, many find this season bittersweet. While the holidays can bring moments of joy, they can also stir deep feelings of grief and longing for those who are no longer with us.

Grief doesn’t follow a calendar. It can show up when you least expect it — in a familiar scent, a favorite song, or an empty chair at the table. If this time of year feels heavy, know that you are not alone. 💛

Here are a few ways to gently care for your heart this season:
✨ Acknowledge your feelings. It’s okay to feel joy and sadness in the same moment.
✨ Create new traditions. Light a candle, cook their favorite dish, or share a story in their honor.
✨ Set boundaries. Give yourself permission to say no when you need rest.
✨ Connect with others. Lean on friends, family, or a support group. Healing happens in community.
✨ Seek peace in faith or reflection. Pray, journal, or spend quiet time outdoors to feel God’s comforting presence.

Grief is love that has nowhere to go, but in remembering we keep that love alive. May this season bring comfort, gentle memories, and moments of peace. 🌿

10/24/2025

I’ve been getting quite a few spam calls lately, so I wanted to share a quick note. If you’re trying to reach me about counseling services, please don’t hesitate to leave a voicemail or send me a text, texting is usually the quickest and easiest way to reach me!

📱 Phone: 479-644-7345
📧 Email: evergreenccounseling@gmail.com

And if you’re referring someone to me, please let them know to text first as well, that really helps make sure we connect quickly and nothing gets lost in the spam shuffle.

Thank you all so much for your support and understanding. I truly appreciate every referral and message that comes my way. 🌿

10/19/2025

🌿 Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone 🌿

Sometimes the greatest healing begins where comfort ends. When we step beyond what feels familiar, we open ourselves to growth, resilience, and transformation. It is often in those uncertain moments that God meets us right where we are.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” — James 1:2–3 (NIV)

At Evergreen Christian Counseling, I have seen how taking that first step, whether it is saying yes to therapy, setting a new boundary, or challenging old thoughts, can open the door to lasting change. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we work on replacing fear and self doubt with truth, hope, and faith.

Growth can feel uncomfortable, but that is often where God is doing His best work. 🌱
If this speaks to you today, you are not alone.

10/15/2025

10/03/2025

You are Loved, You are Seen, You are Valued, and God is right there with you!

09/30/2025

🌿 Finding Calm in the Chaos 🌿

Do you ever feel like you’re running in ten different directions and still not getting anywhere? Between family, work, and all the little things that pop up, it can feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. I’ve been there too, overwhelmed, tired, and stretched too thin.

On those days, I’ve found it helps to:
✨ Stop and take a deep breath, even if it’s just for a minute.
✨ Remind myself that not everything can be urgent, some things can wait.
✨ Say “no” when I need to, so I can show up fully where it matters most.
✨ Take a moment to pray or just be still, even in the middle of the busyness.

We don’t have to carry it all, giving ourselves grace is just as important as giving it to others. 🌿

09/26/2025

🌿 Healthy Ways to Work Through Conflict 🌿

Conflict is something we all face, whether it’s with family, friends, coworkers, or even a boss. When someone says something that stings, and you value the relationship, it can feel hard to know how to respond. The good news is, there are healthy ways to move forward.

✨ Pause before reacting. Giving yourself a moment to breathe helps you process what was said and respond thoughtfully rather than out of emotion.

✨ Be honest with kindness. Whether at home or at work, using “I” statements helps keep the focus on your feelings without blaming the other person. For example, “I felt overlooked when…” instead of “You always ignore me.”

✨ Set healthy boundaries. Boundaries aren’t punishments, they are a way of creating respect and safety in every type of relationship. With family, it might look like asking for certain topics to be off-limits. With coworkers, it may mean clarifying workload or expectations.

✨ Keep the relationship in view. At the end of the day, the goal isn’t to win an argument, it is to preserve trust and care, whether it’s with someone you love or someone you work alongside.

Conflict, when handled with grace and honesty, can actually strengthen understanding and bring relationships closer. 🌿