Lisa Coleman

Teen anger is nothing to brush under the rug. Whether your teen is throwing his or her smartphone at a wall when frustrated that an app isn't working, or screaming when he or she doesn’t get his or her way, teenagers with uncontrollable anger are bound to be in serious trouble. While some are verbal attackers, others can become physically aggressive. If they don't learn to control their anger, they will have problems in school, relationships, and careers. Although

Childhood is meant to be a carefree time, full of play and fun memories to look back fondly on. While we all desire this kind of childhood for our kids, the reality is that life on this side of heaven is hard, and our children will not be shielded from this truth, no matter how hard we try to protect them from it. Added to that are the increasing pressures for today’s young people, amplified by technology which needs

Are you a peacekeeper or peacemaker, and which one has codependent behavior? You may not have considered the difference before, but it is important. Understanding this difference can show you what to do to be free from codependency. Peacekeeping vs. Peacemaking Many people believe that keeping the peace is the “Christian” thing to do. They think it’s worth any cost. But this is not what the Bible teaches. Jesus tells us what responsibility we have for preserving peace. We

A cursory glance at the world around us will show us there are many things to fear - conflicts, violence, persecution, crime, natural disasters, terrorism, economic upheavals, unemployment, discrimination, broken politics, rampant disease, and death. All this can generate an intense feeling of insecurity and fear. We carry fear for our children’s futures, our other loved ones and their safety and health, our financial situations, and our own safety and well-being. There are many ways we can try to

Relationships require constant work, and the work of love is never really over. This is never truer than when it comes to dealing with the people closest to us, including our kids. Our children are a gift from the Lord. The Bible tells us this when it says, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalm 127:3 ESV) Of course, if we are honest with ourselves, we may not always feel

Are you single, but not loving the season of singleness you’re in? Whether you have never been married before, or you are newly single after a breakup, divorce, or death, you can learn the tips for being single and loving it. Here are seven encouraging tips for you. Apply these tips for greater satisfaction in your singleness, no matter how long that season lasts. 1. View singleness as an opportunity rather than a burden. To the unmarried and the

Supporting Your Child Through Teen Counseling The ages between thirteen and nineteen are well known as being years that can be extremely difficult for both the teen and their parents to navigate. Charged with emotional, physical, and social changes, it is confusing and tumultuous. This is only exacerbated by the fact that today’s teenagers are growing up in disturbing times and confronted by a number of difficult realities. Teen counseling can provide a useful platform for families to equip

Do you feel like you are a house with a picket fence around the whole yard that people keep stepping over or knocking down? Then you may need help setting healthy boundaries, so your personal property is better protected. With better boundaries, you’ll feel stronger in your self-esteem, relationship with God, and in your relationships with others. What is a Boundary? Let’s return to the picture of a house with a surrounding picket fence. This fence line defines the

As a parent, watching your children suffer is one of the worst forms of heartache. Whether it is the common cold, a bump on the head, or deep issues of growing up and navigating the world, parents want to soothe the sickness and relieve the pain. When your child struggles with bad dreams and anxiety, you will feel stress creep into your own life. 4 Ways to Help Children with Anxiety and Nightmares Here are four ideas you can

"Keeping up with the Joneses" is a phrase most of us have heard and many have attempted, in one form or another. Besting our neighbors or at least trying to keep pace with other people's lifestyles predates social media and reality television. However, as internet outlets abound and technologies advance, an existing human bent toward “othering,” preoccupying ourselves with others, is ever noticeable. On one hand, we view others through a skewed lens: to blame, to idolize, to envy,

Talking about depression among people of faith can seem like a risky venture. After all, if I believe in God, the maker of heaven and earth, surely depression shouldn’t be an issue? Unfortunately, many people labor under the false idea that because you know God and follow Jesus through the power of the Spirit, illness, and struggle are no longer part of your existence, and to go through those things means you have weak faith. This is far from

We all need a friend or two. Having great friends makes life richer and more interesting. Being social creatures, our affinity for relationships makes all the sense in the world. Having a good friend is something that you should hold on to because genuinely good friends are a precious and rare commodity, no matter what social media might try to tell us. While having great friends in your life blesses you, being a great friend for others blesses them.