https://www.facebook.com/407154322489692/

CFOF Connections, Monroe, LA (2025)

10/03/2024

Mental Health Devotional

Happy Therapeutic Thursday!

Proverbs 4:23 KJV
[23] Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.

It is important that we watch the company we keep. The amount of time you've known a person or if they are related to you or not should not be qualifiers for who gets access to you.
We all desire a person we can speak candidly with, that will give us the unfiltered truth with the intentions of helping and not harming us.

The tricky but not so tricky thing about that is, that type of access is reserved only for God. Because people are flawed and can allow their own insecurities and past traumas to dictate what they say to you.

Child of God, you want to surround yourself with those of God and sent by God. This is vital to your self-talk. God blesses us all with a gift. No one is skipped. Some may get more than one gift, but we all get one because we are all God's children.

I said that to say this, we may be an extension of our parents, but we are to be a reflection of God. We may be a part of a friend group, but we are a family member in the body of Christ.

Child of God, you want to make sure the words you hear are of God and God only. Because at some point your life does become a reflection of your own decision and not what mommy/daddy said, or aunt/uncle said, or what my cousin or best friend said.

When you make a mistake and the ugly words come to you, downing yourself, berating yourself, is that really you talking, or is that the insecurities of someone else being forced upon you.

Our parents are not super human, just because they have the title of mom and dad. Are friends are not all knowing just because they make themselves available every time we are low; because if you stop long enough to think about it can you find these certain friends just as easily when you're living in God's blessings.

We can't share all of ourselves with some people. As hard as it may be to think about it's our own family and friends that will throw the backhanded compliments, that will plant the seed of self-doubt for the sake of their own shortcomings. Instead of putting effort into their own gift from God, they will allow jealousy and envy to dictate how they handle you. And if you're not careful, Child of God, their insecurities can and will become your self-talk.

Others only have the power over us that we allow. And it's all out of fear. Some of us fear living our lives because we don't want our family or friends to feel less than and that Child of God are their insecurities. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. It's not what grandma/grandpa said, it's what did God say to you; it's not what your mom and dad said or friends said you don't belong, it's where did God tell you to go.

John 3:17 KJV
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

The only thing equally debilitating as fear is grief. That's why if the devil can't scare you out of your blessings he will try and trick you into thinking you lost it. Joy is a gift from God, people can only temporarily effect your happiness. They cannot touch your joy; they can have you so distracted with their issues that your joy may be displaced but it is not gone. It's being protected by God, he gave it to you and only he can take it away. Now the amount of time the effects of these insecure people have on you is up to you. God said in his word "the world through him might be saved." That "might" let's you know it's about choices. Whose voice will you choose to listen? Whose words will you allow in your heart? "John 10:10 KJV[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:"? Or "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."?

Dr. Shauntee Slack, LPC-S, Ph.D.

09/29/2024

May 25, 2024

Mental Health Devotional

Know that you are loved no matter what and through it all. Hurt people may hurt people but God never fails nor does he ever leave. When friends leave, family talk about you, and all is quiet; no matter where you look there is nothing but silence. Don't be fooled by those trying hurt you, the silence is not loneliness, it's not desperation. It is God reminding you he is there, he is never further than where we leave him. It's not I'm all alone, I have no one to talk to, no one I can depend on. It's God loves you so much he created time for just you and him without interruption. Silence is not you are alone, silence is God saying "hey I'm here, I love you, it's just you and me let me know what you need." Don't worry about those who have left when you were the only one there for them; you loved, cared, paid their debts, and now they can't bother to greet you; probably haven't spoke to you in years. But don't stress and no that silence is not because of something you did to them; it is God giving you peace; you gave with a heart of love but they received with a heart of entitlement. The silence is God walking with you because HIS word says there is peace in the stillness. Don't be dismayed but rejoice because though you may have lost and hurt, God is saying now that has been removed its time to live and be blessed.

‭Isaiah 43:2 KJV‬
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee"

Dr. Shauntee Slack, LPC-S, Ph.D.

09/29/2024

July 27, 2024

Mental Health Devotional

Proverbs 4:23 KJV "Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life."

People have made their choice on what side of the line they want to stand on.

Ephesians 6:12 "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

It is not our job as children of God to understand the why or the what made them choose to pervert the church with false prophecy. But it is our job as children of God to stand firm in the word of God and know that though darkness looms with the violence and hunger we see daily fueled by a perverted version of love because its not for the love of the human condition but for the love money, power, and control. But that we know as children of God that his word shall be fulfilled.

Psalms 24:1 "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein."

I know we are tired, head hurts, heart sick, frustrated, angry, sad, lonely, and mad but child of God stand ten toes down and know you chose the right side of the line. He knows all and sees all, for it all including you are his and God takes care of what is his! On the days and nights you are going through a swirl of emotions and circumstances and you ask how am I still here? It's because God takes care of what is his. We don't get to choose what tunnel or the process of how we get to the other side of the tunnel. But what we do know is God is a promise maker and a promise keeper and he promises not only to see you through but to walk you through, all you got to do is hold on to his hand and watch him do is thang. Because our faith demands that a time will be had and a thang will be done for you. As a matter of fact it's already done stop looking left when the devil points and just start walking when the Lord moves.

Dr. Shauntee Slack, LPC-S, Ph.D.

09/29/2024

August 6, 2024

Mental Health Devotional

In the bible, the most frequent word used for enemy is "oyebh," which literally means "one who hates." People of all ages, shapes, and sizes are capable of hate. It is the acceptance of the love of God that keeps hate from taking up space in our hearts.

I said that to say this...people choose to hate for whatever reason it is their choice. Child of God you don't have to do anything but exist and hate will find you. People will allow jealousy, envy, and other insecurities to fester to point they are auditioning to hate you. Enemies are manifested but never chosen, and because they are not chosen they will never triump for God takes care of his.

Luke 10:19 KJV
"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Think of it this way...you have a nice cup of coffee or tea. That cup is extremely hot and capable of hurting you but that protective sleeve keeps the cup from feeling too hot. That sleeve may not look like much but it is protecting you from any harm.

The enemy rejoices in you feeling the heat but completely misses how the Lord kept you from burning. The enemy claims victory in the fact that the heat exists and you noticed the heat but missed they didn't triump because God showed up and protected you from harm.

Know child of God, no matter how hot life gets and no matter how much the enemy dances while you are sweating. God will show up in due time like a summer breeze. Because while they were out there tricking and trapping you were sowing seeds on the strength of God's promise. The enemy will fade as they tricks hold no power but your seed will grow and God will bless you in a way you never thought possible.

Psalm 37:1-4 KJV
"[1] Fret not thyself because of evildoers, Neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. [2] For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
[3] Trust in the LORD, and do good; So shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. [4] Delight thyself also in the LORD; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

No matter what you see, trust and wait. No matter what you hear, trust and wait. No matter what feelings come up, trust and wait on the Lord. Because he will never guide you where his grace and mercy won't follow.

Dr. Shauntee Slack, LPC-S, Ph.D.

09/29/2024

September 19, 2024

Mental Health Devotional

Matthew 5:13 KJV
[13] Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Remember the saying "pouring salt in the wound." It is an idiom used when people feel done wrong by others when they are already feeling down. It is important for us to pay attention to the words others use and the way they use them to us and toward us. It is also important to recognize how we internalize those words.

For instance, salt purifies, preserves, and enhances. It makes things better, and Child of God our Lord describes us as the "salt of the earth." So, if God has ordained us to purify, preserve, and enhance, why would the salt be associated with pain? When you hear others say, "Just pour salt in my wound then," they are putting your face on their pain. These individuals are trying to make you responsible for their feelings. They are purposefully misleading you to believe your gift from God is not helping but hurting, so they don't have to take personal responsibility for the decisions they have made.

Self-talk is crucial. What we say to ourselves matters. As believers, we are to pray and meditate on what brings life not on the destructive words and actions of the insecure. This is an important boundary to have as self-talk is the difference of keeping on the armor of God and taking off the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:11 KJV
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:14-17 KJV
[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; [15] and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; [16] above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. [17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

The armor of God is your protection and their reflection. The first step in healing is not just recognizing there is a wound but also accepting that the wound is there. Some people spend all day telling themselves their not the issue you are, that a wound wasn't their until you put it their. They say it so much that it becomes their truth, and they will share it with any and all who are willing to listen. When in fact it was that armor of God shining so bright it became a mirror reflecting their decisions back to them. They convinced themselves the wound was not their and your salt reminded them not only is the wound there but it will remain their until THEY not YOU do something about it. You have some people who are so determined to remain the same they will convince themselves that they don't need to change the reflection because they can remove the mirror. That's when you see those you thought you were close to, friends, family, coworkers whomever stop talking to you, stop inviting you places, etc.

Child of God you continue to shine on, continue to hold on to the promises of God. Keep on your armor of God, for that armor is your salt. To internalize the words of those who don't mean you well is the difference of having self-esteem in the Lord or self-effacing in the weakness of others. Self-effecting is to try and not get attention or make yourself unnoticeable.

As children of God, it is impossible to hide or to go unnoticed; invisibility is not the assignment. To purify, preserve, and enhance is our assignment. So the next time you speak to someone and they don't acknowledge you, or you walk in a room and the loud whispers start or the chatter stops; the question is not whats wrong with you? Or what did you do? These questions only serve the purpose of causing confusion within ourselves. So be careful of your self-talk. Peace is freedom. The question is not what's wrong with you, but can you have peace with them in your life as they are? It may get uncomfortable even down right emotinally painful at times when faced with rejection, but know God is protecting you by purifying, perseving, enhancing, and healing your world. He is reminding you, who you are in the Lord and reflecting to them whose you are.

Happy Therapeutic Thursday!

Dr. Shauntee Slack, LPC-S, Ph.D.

09/29/2024

September 7, 2024
Mental Health Devotional

Proverbs 13:20 KJV
[20] He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: But a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

Children of God we are to love one another as God loves us, but we are also supposed to be careful of the company we keep.

To be in the spirit is to be protected. But we have to be careful as the flesh is temporary. But the spirit is everlasting, a gift from and of God.

Ephesians 6:12 KJV
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

If we are not wise with the company we keep, we will find ourselves in a constant battle. Not just any battle, as the word says, we will not fight flesh and blood but spiritual wickedness in high places. To fight a spirit, you must be in the spirit. This can and will take a toll on the body.

Child of God, we must be mindful of our circle. Often, we mistake relationship with relating. We give people access to us based solely on relationship and not how they relate to us. Parent, sister, brother, cousin, nephew, niece, friend of many years, you name it we will mistake relationship for relating.

When you keep company with people with the wrong spirit, you will begin to feel it physically. You will notice that you get sick more often, constantly tired, and you begin to feel disconnected. It's the weakness of the body failing to keep up with the spirit. It's like the gospel song say "there's a leak in this old building, and my soul has got to move." Our bodies can not withstand the spiritual attacks, but our spirit can, GOD can.

Having boundaries as children of God is essential. We can not afford to mistake the protection of the spirit for guilt of not allowing access to ourselves based solely on relationship.

There is power in the tongue! It don't matter how someone is connected to you. If they are not speaking life, then it is not of God.

Proverbs 18:21 KJV
[21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

If they don't mean you well, no amount of relationship history can excuse the toll of the stress they bring into your life and the toll it takes on your body.

John 15:15 KJV
[15] Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Luke 9:28 KJV
[28] And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

You don't have to put up with anyone, but as a believer, we must treat everyone with love. Put it this way, Jesus had 12 disciples but only fooled with a few. At the last super he called them all his friends but when he went up on the mountain to pray, the moment know as the transfiguration; out of the 12 he only took Peter, John, and James.

Children of God, it's time to shed this stress and put on the armor of God. To walk in his truth, to hold on to the strength and guidance of his word. We are in the season of growth, but with that growth will come revelations and removals.

Amen!!!!

Dr. Shauntee Slack, LPC-S, Ph.D.

09/29/2024

Welcome to Connections. The mental health ministry of Community Family Of Faith Church. This is a judgement free safe space, for all seeking guidance, compassion, and understanding.

CFOF Connections

10/03/2024

09/29/2024

09/29/2024

09/29/2024

09/29/2024

09/29/2024

09/29/2024

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category