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Articles from Karla Downing | Selfgrowth.com
- Four Christian Misbeliefs That Negatively Impact Your Self-Image - by Submitted on May 07, 2012 from Karla DowningIf you hold any of these four Christian misbeliefs, they will negatively impact your self-image. Beliefs underlie the way you view the world. The belief you hold about a thing determines what you think, how you feel, and how you act. Here are the four misbeliefs: Christians shouldn't have ...
Views: 1205 - Christian Codependency: Does God Want You To Be Codependent? - by Submitted on May 07, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for help for your Christian codependency? If so, do you wonder if God wants you to be codependent? Christian codependents tend to overly give, ignore their own needs, tolerate mistreatment, and lose themselves while believing God is pleased with them. Many of the beliefs people ...
Views: 1848 - Three Signs That You Haven't Forgiven Your Offender - by Submitted on May 05, 2012 from Karla DowningIt isn't always easy to know when you have actually forgiven someone, especially when it is someone close to you and the emotions run deep and the relationship is complicated. God commands you to forgive, if you want to be forgiven by him (Matthew 6:14-15), so it is important to know how to ...
Views: 1971 - Christian Relationship Help: Six Things Toxic In-Laws Do That Damage Your Marriage - by Submitted on May 04, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian relationship help regarding your in-laws? This article will identify six things toxic in-laws do and why each of them is undermining to the union God wants you to have in your marriage relationship. God intended you to leave your families and be united to each other ...
Views: 4433 - Christian Codependency: Changing the Beliefs Underlying False Guilt - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you struggling with Christian codependency? If you answered yes, then you probably experience feeling guilty often in your relationships. Codependents struggle with guilt in relationships because they hold untrue beliefs about relationships. They need to change their inaccurate beliefs about ...
Views: 2341 - Christian Codependency: Identifying the Beliefs Underlying False Guilt - by Submitted on May 03, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you struggling with Christian codependency? If you answered yes, then you probably experience feeling guilty often in your relationships. If you hold the following beliefs, you will struggle with guilt in your relationships: - You feel overly responsible for other people and as a result, ...
Views: 1360 - Christian Relationship Help: Four Tips for Dealing With Difficult In-Laws - by Submitted on May 02, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian relationship help in dealing with your difficult in-laws? Are you wondering how God wants you to deal with them? God wants you to respond in a way that protects your marriage instead of damaging it. Here are four tips you can use to deal with difficult in laws that ...
Views: 2105 - Eight Things You Can Do To Get Your Husband To Do What You Want - by Submitted on May 02, 2012 from Karla DowningDo most of your attempts to change your husband not only fail but result in distancing him from you and making your marriage worse? If so, you will benefit from the following eight things you can do to get your husband to do what you want: Ask if it is a good time to talk. If you don't ...
Views: 834(1 vote) - Christian Codependency: Was Jesus a Codependent? - by Submitted on May 01, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for help with Christian codependency? If you are, you are probably interested in knowing if Jesus was a codependent. Many would answer "Yes" based on the following characteristics of Jesus that are typical of codependents: -Jesus was selfless. -Jesus was a servant. -Jesus ...
Views: 3778 - Abuse: Five Signs That You Are Dating An Abusive Man - by Submitted on May 01, 2012 from Karla DowningAbuse in relationships is all too common. Once you are in a committed relationship with someone who is abusive, you will find that it is harder to get out of it than when you are dating. This is because you begin to experience a crisis of self-doubt and low self-esteem the longer you are in the ...
Views: 1179 - Christian Relationship Help: Is Perfectionism Hurting Your Relationships? - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2012 from Karla DowningIs perfectionism hurting your relationships? If you know you struggle with perfectionism with yourself, there is a good chance that this character trait is also hurting the people around you. Perfectionism manifests itself in relationships in the following five ways: Discontentment with the ...
Views: 1185 - Getting Past Stage One - Denial - by Submitted on Apr 29, 2012 from Karla DowningDenial is stage one of the grief process when you are dealing with any type of loss. Getting past denial is necessary, in order to move into anger, bargaining, depression/sadness and then finally into acceptance. Denial serves an important purpose: it cushions your response to painful events. ...
Views: 2374 - Why Love Is a Choice, Not an Emotion - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2012 from Karla DowningWhy is love a choice and not an emotion? The emotional component of love that we associate with feeling "loving" isn't consistent. For a relationship to be solid, there has to be consistency. Choosing to love means one will choose actions that demonstrate love regardless of the emotion that is ...
Views: 13517 - What to Do If You're a Victim of Domestic Violence - 5 Sources of Help - by Submitted on Apr 28, 2012 from Karla DowningWhat should you do if you are a victim of domestic violence? You should get help, even if you are not sure you are ready to leave the relationship. Here are five sources of help that are available to you, each of which has various benefits. 1. Friends and Family: Friends and family offer you ...
Views: 883 - Christian Dating: Be Equally Yoked in Five Areas - by Submitted on Apr 24, 2012 from Karla DowningWith Christian dating, the one Scripture that comes to mind is 2 Corinthians 6:14-15: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness: What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a ...
Views: 1458 - Christian Codependency: Four Beliefs That Prevent You From Nurturing Yourself - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2012 from Karla DowningMost of us don't do well with nurturing ourselves. We are experts at taking care of others' needs and ignoring our own needs. Some of this self-neglect comes from four Christian codependency beliefs that prevent you from nurturing yourself. Which of these beliefs have contributed to you not ...
Views: 1301 - Christian Codependency: Four Things That Will Make You Enjoy Your Life - by Submitted on Apr 23, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you feeling overwhelmed with the pressures, stresses, and demands of life? Christian codependency will rob you of the ability to enjoy your life by keeping you overwhelmed, stressed, unable to say no, and unwilling to take care of yourself, because it convinces you that you have no choice ...
Views: 932 - Christian Friendship: Four Myths About Loneliness - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you struggling with how to overcome loneliness by searching for Christian friendship? Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says: "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble." ...
Views: 1305 - Christian Friendship: Five Things You Simply Must Do To End Loneliness - by Submitted on Apr 20, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian friendship because you feel lonely? "Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, NLT). Feeling lonely is indeed ...
Views: 1288 - Christians and Divorce: Five Keys to Successful Dating After Divorce - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2012 from Karla DowningChristians get divorced as much as non-Christians. They also face similar issues with successful dating after divorce too except that some of the Christian stereotypes about marriage may not apply in second marriages. Here are five keys to successful dating after divorce that will help you find ...
Views: 8832 - Christian Relationship Help: Five Keys to Overcome Jealousy - by Submitted on Apr 19, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian relationship help to overcome jealousy? Proverbs 27:4 says: "Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Jealousy is indeed a strong emotion that infects and affects a relationship. Jealousy can be felt toward anyone: friends, siblings, ...
Views: 10360 - When Does a Relationship Qualify As Abusive? What Are Boundaries That Must Not Be Crossed - by Submitted on Apr 18, 2012 from Karla DowningWhen does a relationship qualify as abusive? One of the ways to answer that question is to look at boundaries that must never be crossed. Boundaries are intended to protect you as a valued person in a relationship. There are four boundaries that abusive people violate because they do not see you ...
Views: 1257 - How to Be a Good Christian Wife - by Submitted on Apr 18, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for guidance on how to be a good Christian wife? If so, here are seven things you simply must do. 1. Pray for your husband. The world is a difficult place for a man. They are competing in the marketplace for jobs, feeling the weight of the financial burden of providing for a ...
Views: 4648 - Signs Your Relationship Needs Professional Help - by Submitted on Apr 16, 2012 from Karla DowningRelationships aren't easy and all relationships have rough spots, disagreements, and adjustments. That said, there are times you need to get help to work things out. Here are seven signs your relationship needs professional help: 1. You have the same argument over and over that isn't ...
Views: 753 - Christian Relationship Help: Is God Punishing You For Your Bad Relationship Choices? - by Submitted on Apr 16, 2012 from Karla DowningIf you are looking for Christian relationship help, this article will help you answer the question: Is God punishing you for your bad relationship choices? There are common Scriptural misunderstandings about relationships that result in Christians making unhealthy choices in relationships. These ...
Views: 1428 - Christian submission, submission in marriage, how do wives submit, is submission control, Christian - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian marriage help to answer the question: Does submission mean being controlled? Whenever a woman tells me she is struggling with submission in her marriage, I suspect a difficult marriage. The question is typically phrased as "Do I have to submit to my husband no ...
Views: 3922 - 6 Scriptural Misunderstandings of Christian Codependency - by Submitted on Apr 14, 2012 from Karla DowningThe following 6 Scriptural misunderstandings form the basis of Christian codependency. They show how inaccurate Scriptural understandings contribute to Christian codependency. The cure is an accurate understanding of what the Bible says about ourselves and how we are to value ourselves compared ...
Views: 1950 - 6 Scriptural Misbeliefs of Christian Codependency - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2012 from Karla DowningThe following 6 Scriptural misbeliefs form the basis of Christian codependency. They show how inaccurate Scriptural beliefs contribute to codependent choices. The cure is an accurate understanding of what the Bible says about ourselves and how we are to value ourselves compared to others in ...
Views: 1413 - Christian Marriage Help: How Do You Respect Your Husband When He Does Things You Don't Respect? - by Submitted on Apr 13, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian marriage help to understand the biblical teaching to respect your husband (Ephesians 5:33)? Here are some questions behind the question: How do you respect your husband when he does things you don't respect? How do you show respect to a husband who is doing ...
Views: 1619(1 vote) - What Makes Codependency Qualify As Christian Codependency? - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2012 from Karla DowningBefore we answer the question "What makes codependency qualify as Christian codependency?" we need to understand the history of the term. In the 1980s, codependency was originally used to describe the dysfunctional patterns of family members of chemically dependent people who were also called ...
Views: 2114 - Forgiveness: Five Christian Misunderstandings About Forgiveness - by Submitted on Apr 09, 2012 from Karla DowningForgiveness is an important part of the teachings in the Christian faith. However, there are five common Christian misunderstandings about forgiveness that result in people misapplying it to their relationships. 1. Forgiveness means you must have a relationship with the person. Forgiveness ...
Views: 1860 - Christian Codependency: Helping Those That Won't Help Themselves - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2012 from Karla DowningThere are many facets to Christian codependency. One of them is that there are some people who refuse to help themselves. Martyrs suffer because they get a payoff: They feed an image that says, "I don't deserve anything better, so I'll continue to endure this." Along with the martyr stroking his ...
Views: 13963 - Christian Relationship Help: How Core Wounds Trigger Overreactions In Relationships - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian relationship help that shows you how core wounds trigger overreactions in relationships? Childhood leaves us each with core wounds. These core wounds or core issues resurface repeatedly in relationships. They typically form the basis of overreactions to things that ...
Views: 1635 - Father-Daughter Relationships Influence A Woman's View of God: Three Things Women Need - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2012 from Karla DowningThere are three things women need from their earthly father to have a healthy relationship with God. 1. Approval and affirmation of who she is. A woman longs to be accepted for who she is by her father. She needs his approval, affirmation, and adoration. She longs to be special and told she ...
Views: 3142 - Christian Codependency: Are You a Mary or Martha in Your Relationships? - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you struggling with Christian codependency? Answering these questions will help you determine whether you are a Mary or Martha in your relationships. In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus and his disciples were guests in the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Mary sat at Jesus' feet enjoying his ...
Views: 1920 - 9 Dysfunctional Family Maneuvers by People in the Bible - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2012 from Karla DowningDysfunctional family maneuvers allow the family to deal with their emotions and anxiety without having to face the truth about what is really going on. Dysfunction entered families when sin entered the human race in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve's "first family" experienced dissention, the ...
Views: 3904 - Abusive Relationships: Changing Your Victim Mentality - by Submitted on Apr 04, 2012 from Karla DowningAbusive relationships challenge our ability to take care of ourselves and leave us feeling victimized. It is important that you work on changing your victim mentality. Many of us complain that we are victims in our relationships. By claiming we are victims, we are giving up our power to do ...
Views: 2915 - Christian Codependency: 7 Signs You Are A Christian Codependent - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you struggling with Christian codependency? These 7 signs will help you to decide whether you are a Christian codependent or not. When we are being "codependent" it means we have an unhealthy way of reacting to a problem in a person close to us or a pattern of coping with life that is ...
Views: 1847(1 vote) - Christians Surviving Divorce - 6 Things You Need to Know Now - by Submitted on Apr 03, 2012 from Karla DowningIf you are a Christian surviving divorce, here are six things you need to do now. Divorce isn't easy for anyone, but you can make it easier for yourself by doing these six things. 1. Rest in the fact that God isn't against you. God hates divorce but not divorced people. God is full of ...
Views: 2897 - Christian Relationship Help: 5 Questions to Find Out If You Are In A Difficult Relationship - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian relationship help to determine whether or not you are in a difficult relationship? Answer the following five questions to find out if your relationship with your child, parent, spouse, sibling, friend, co-worker, or other relative is difficult. 1. Do you spend ...
Views: 874 - Christian Relationship Help: Six Toxic Christian Relationship Beliefs - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you looking for Christian relationship help? Regardless of the problems you are dealing with, it is important that you identify and change these six toxic Christian relationship beliefs in order to make healthy choices. 1. You believe it is selfish to put yourself before ...
Views: 1332 - Christian Boundaries: Five Guidelines to Set Scriptural Boundaries in Difficult Relationships - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2012 from Karla DowningDo you struggle with setting Christian boundaries? Difficult relationships require you to set boundaries, yet the complicated relationship dynamics make setting boundaries hard to do. To make it worse, there are common misunderstandings about what the Bible says about boundaries that cause us to ...
Views: 5464 - Christian Codependency: 10 Things Codependents Must Do to Change - by Submitted on Mar 31, 2012 from Karla DowningThere are 10 things Christian codependents must do to change the patterns that keep them reacting codependently in life and relationships. If you are a codependent, you live your life focusing on other people. In order to change, you must take the focus off others and put the focus onto your own ...
Views: 1793 - Dysfunctional Family Christmas: 6 Tips for Making the Holidays Functional - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2012 from Karla DowningAre you dealing with a dysfunctional family Christmas? Use these 6 tips for making the holidays functional. Togetherness, love, family, tranquility, magic, unity, happiness, and gifts--We are told we should have all these things at Christmas and when we don't have them, we feel disappointed and ...
Views: 2798 - Speaking The Truth In Love - 8 Tips To Overcome Difficulty In Expressing Your Thoughts - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2012 from Karla DowningDo you struggle with speaking the truth in love in your relationships? If you answered yes, this biblical truth and tip will help you. Some people are not naturally verbal and have difficulty expressing their thoughts, especially in emotionally volatile and unpleasant circumstances. When they ...
Views: 1359 - Speaking The Truth In Love - Expressing Your Truth Before You Set Boundaries - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2012 from Karla DowningDo you struggle with speaking the truth in love in your relationships? If you answered yes, this biblical truth and tip will help you. Difficult relationships have lots of issues to deal with. There are disappointments, hurts, unmet expectations, irresponsible choices, unacceptable behavior, ...
Views: 1315 - Speaking The Truth In Love - Don't Let Your Truth Be Invalidated - by Submitted on Mar 29, 2012 from Karla DowningDo you struggle with speaking the truth in love in your relationships? If you answered yes, this biblical truth and tip will help you. One of the major pitfalls to avoid is allowing yourself to be easily invalidated by the other person's defensiveness, abuse, arguments, disagreement, denial, and ...
Views: 902 - Speaking The Truth In Love - Don't Take Personalities Personal - by Submitted on Mar 28, 2012 from Karla DowningDo you struggle with speaking the truth in love in your relationships? If you answered yes, this biblical truth and tip will help you by showing you how not to take personalities personal. Taking the person's response personal will hinder you in speaking your truth. Instead, DETACH! DETACH! ...
Views: 802 - Speaking The Truth In Love - Refuse To Argue Or Defend Your Truth - by Submitted on Mar 28, 2012 from Karla DowningDo you struggle with speaking the truth in love in your relationships? If you answered yes, this biblical truth and tip will help you by showing you how to learn to refuse to argue or defend your truth. Allowing yourself to get into a defensive position with your truth weakens your position. ...
Views: 1832 - Speaking The Truth In Love - Timing Matters - by Submitted on Mar 27, 2012 from Karla DowningDo you struggle with speaking the truth in love in your relationships? If you answered yes, this biblical truth and tip will help you. Speaking at the wrong time can sabotage your communication. Timing does matter. Like it or not, there is wisdom in using timing to your advantage. You've ...
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