Anxiety Archives - Treasured Ministries

Loss is not easy for anyone to face. But when the enemy has attached a stigma to our suffering, the pain intensifies because this adds shame to our loss.

Satan will tell us such lies as:

It’s not ok, to not be okay

You should just get over this, you are not strong in your faith.

This is all your fault.

God must be really disappointed in you.

But by embracing our emotions and seeking God, we can navigate through our loss with courage and resilience. Even in the darkest moments, there is beauty waiting to be born.

Every goodbye paves the way for a fresh start, a new chapter filled with possibilities and growth.

In today’s teaching message navigating through spiritual pain to heal from shame.

ONWARD,

Aliene

Watch our teaching message HERE.

The post How Spiritual Pain Causes Shame appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Shame is a powerful, painful emotion. Giving rise to a relentless inner critic, shame speaks lies which make it hard to see God’s truth about who we really are.

Our natural instinct is to fight back, relying on our own strength to overcome shame and emerge victorious. We keep pushing, and initially, we may triumph.

However, like a persistent opponent, the inner critic grows louder and that unyielding inner critic makes a comeback.

The truth is, addressing shame without God leads to its multiplication. My codependency set up expectations that resulted in condemnation. Living by my list created a sense of continual failure and inadequacy, breeding more shame. My list-style living extended to relationships, as I felt obligated to meet perceived expectations. 

Trying to resolve shame without God only reinforces it, leading to worry, unbelief, and fear.

Throughout history, self-reliance in combating shame has been prevalent. Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover their shame with fig leaves, humanity has long sought to mask shame independently from God.

BUT GOD! 

Aren’t you so glad Jesus came to take your fig leaves and give you freedom instead? 

In today’s message step into the light, shed those fig leaves and prepare to step into deeper levels of freedom from shame. It’s time for you to shine!

ONWARD,

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post How Am I Covering My Shame? appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Codependency led me to live in captivity.  

While no physical prison bars confined me, my controlling tendencies and self-sufficiency robbed me of real freedom and prevented me from walking in God’s power.

All in the name of survival, fear and oppression drove me to develop the faulty defense mechanisms of control and self-sufficiency, instead of walking in God’s power under His protection.

Can you relate? 

One of the enemy’s greatest calling cards is using lies to trigger you to function out of fear, rather than faith – to use your armor to fight and fend for yourself.  

Discovering how to discern God’s voice to set boundaries was a vital part of releasing my armor. I was able to take hold of one of the most powerful parts of God’s spiritual armor – the belt of truth.

God’s discernment will give you guidance to set boundaries His way. 

In today’s message, discover how to grow in your discernment, secure the belt of truth, set boundaries with God’s guidance and confidently live out your calling. 

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post How to Discern God’s Voice when Setting Boundaries appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

There are all kinds of battlefields. 

What is or was your warzone? Where did the enemy of your soul lob his unfair, ferocious, fiery darts relentlessly, one after another – so much so that the crazy became comfortable? 

Perhaps you left your battlefield long ago, but you notice that the battle has not left you.

You still feel anxiety, anger, insecurity, hopelessness, or fear. Often, after a cease-fire, the greatest battle lies ahead – the battle of setting boundaries in your thinking. 

How has the enemy normalized dysfunction so that you settle, instead of setting boundaries to soar? 

Now hear this treasured one – your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. 

In today’s message, see how God can shift your paradigm by painting a new picture of what could be. It’s time to see faith beyond your familiar… with new steps to live in freedom as God intended! 

I am always cheering you on!

ONWARD,

Aliene 

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post Set Boundaries with Yourself by Doing THIS! appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Saying “no” carries its difficulties for everyone.

If you are a codependent, then saying no is especially challenging.

Codependency causes you to become externally referenced, meaning that you look to outside sources to navigate life, find your identity and validate your worth. Seeking this outside input causes a lot of static that can distract you from the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life.

These distractions are like waves that turn your eyes away from the Way Maker. 

Idolatry creates indecision that can impact your confidence to set boundaries. 

The enemy will use your idolatry of man to create confusion and doubt with these racing thoughts…  

Are you sinking in thinking instead of soaring by putting God first? 

God wants to be first in your life. The real you will SHINE out of that relationship!

In today’s teaching message, discover how idolatry brings indecision. Intimacy with God brings confidence in EVERY area of your life, including your confidence to say “no”, so you can put God first! 

It’s time to put God back in the center and live with the joy that flows from putting Him first and becoming who He created you to be. 

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post How To Stop Codependency’s Confusion appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

We do not have to live our lives stuck in patterns we may not even fully understand. We aren’t alone in the search for the root of our pain, and we don’t have to go into what can be a painful experience alone. 

Christ is before us, behind us, and with us. Ask Him to lead you to the pain of your past to allow for genuine and real healing. As we seek Him, we can understand our own hearts and the triggers they have.

We have a lot to relearn, a lifetime of lies and deep-rooted pain, but the power of the cross transcends through time to right those wrongs and confront those lies. 

God’s love is not afraid of where you’ve come from. 

No matter how toxic, He does not see you as too far gone… 

You are simply and wonderfully HIS. 

In today’s teaching message, discover how to let God’s love reclaim your heart and mind to break generational patterns. One day at a time, one step at a time, you can leave blessings in your wake for generations to come. 

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click here.

The post Breaking Generational Patterns appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

You no longer have to fear the darkness. The light of the world is here!

Spiritual pain can follow physical pain, emotional pain, relational pain, grief and loss. This can be devastating, as the spiritual pain inflicted by the enemy drives a wedge between you and God, hindering the healing process. 

In other words, spiritual pain compounds our wounds. That dark stubborn cloud of depression can settle heavy on our hearts. 

But through awareness and with God’s help, you can heal.

Let’s turn on the lights …shall we?!? 

Healing begins when we recognize that spiritual pain is often the unseen wound beneath the surface and pretending or pushing the pain down does not work. No matter what you’re going through, know that you’re not alone. Together with God, we can ALWAYS find the light in the darkest of moments.

“The light shines in the darkness,

     and the darkness can never extinguish it.” John 1:5

I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Michelle Bengtson on spiritual pain for her amazing podcast, Hope Filled Perspective, and today we are sharing this message with you. With almost three decades of clinical expertise as a neuropsychologist, best-selling author Dr. Michelle Bengtson is here to unpack the healing process for Spiritual Pain. 

Ready for hope and healing? Listen to today’s message.

Blessings,

Aliene

Do you want to catch up with us on YouTube instead? Click here.

Who is Dr. Michelle Bengtson?

Dr. Michelle Bengtson is the author of the award-winning Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression, the award-winning Hope Prevails Bible Study, and AWSA Book of the Year: Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises. She is the author of the new release; Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right and the host of the top-rated podcast, Your Hope Filled Perspective with Dr. Michelle Bengtson. Her ministry’s goal is to restore hope, renew minds, and empower others to live in their God-given identity.

The post Spiritual Pain with Dr. Michelle Bengtson appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Often when the Lord asks us to let go of a current provision, an increase is on the way. But anxiety and attachments crowd out our courage to completely let go. You cannot stay in control and experience growth at the same time. Listen to today’s podcast and make room for your new season by washing away worry with the Word.

Want to make a difference? Here are three ways you can help our ministry grow at no cost to you: 

1. Subscribe to our podcast. 

2. Write a review of the podcast. 

3. Forward the episode to a friend.

The post Anxiety and Attachments appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Not gonna lie, I have struggled with my mental health and part of the reason why I do what I do and how much I loooooovvveee Jesus – is because of how the Lord took my broken heart and made it brave… and continues to do so through his Word – every single day. There is a spiritual root to mental health struggles, and Jesus has the keys to set you free – one day at a time – one step at a time – one thought at a time. You ready Treasured One? It’s time to begin your journey today. Join me as I interview one of my favorite Christian authors, Dr. Michelle Bengtson, for practical steps you can take today with Jesus to change your tomorrow.    

Visit Michelle’s Website for lots of great FREE resources: 

Order Breaking Anxiety’s Grip 

Order Hope Prevails

Want to make a difference? Here are three ways you can help our ministry grow at no cost to you: 

1. Subscribe to our podcast. 

2. Write a review of the podcast. 

3. Forward the episode to a friend.

The post The Spiritual Root of Anxiety and Depression appeared first on Treasured Ministries.