A Reflection on My Assault in Australia and the Gift Hidden Inside the Pain

This week on the podcast, I shared one of the hardest and most vulnerable parts of my story. While traveling in Australia, I experienced an assault that shook me physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It was unexpected. It was traumatic. And for a moment, it brought my life to a halt.

But as I continue to heal, something surprising has taken root inside of me.

I realized that I get to live my life… I do not have to live my life.
There is a world of difference between the two.

In the quiet moments that followed the assault, when the dizziness, headaches, and fear would come in waves, I began to see life with new clarity. Every morning I wake up is a gift. Every moment with my husband, my children, and my loved ones is a treasure. Every chance to do the work God called me to do is a privilege not everyone receives.

I never expected a traumatic event to teach me gratitude.
I never expected fear to lead me back to faith.
I never expected pain to remind me of purpose.

Yet here I am, learning that sometimes the most profound truths come wrapped in the most unwelcome moments.

Life is not guaranteed.
Breath is not guaranteed.
Our next moment is not guaranteed.

But what is guaranteed is the goodness of God, His presence in the rubble, and His ability to bring something meaningful out of the hardest chapters we never saw coming.

If you have ever walked through something that made you question everything, my prayer is that this episode brings you comfort, validation, and hope. You are not alone. And your life—no matter how messy or painful it feels—is still a gift.

🎧 Listen to the full episode to hear more of the story, the healing, and the unexpected clarity that came from a moment that should have broken me but instead awakened me.

n this podcast, Crystal Ridlon, a licensed professional counselor, explores the effectiveness of virtual therapy compared to in-person therapy. She discusses the importance of the therapeutic relationship, the role of trust, and the benefits of virtual therapy, including accessibility and comfort. Crystal emphasizes that the key to effective therapy lies in the connection between the therapist and the client, regardless of the medium. She also addresses when virtual therapy may not be ideal and provides practical tips for setting up a conducive environment for virtual sessions. Ultimately, she encourages listeners to embrace virtual therapy as a valuable option for mental health care.

In today's podcast we talk about politics. That's right politics. Don't run away scared, this is a conversation about politics that you won't want to miss. Today's topic is a breath of fresh air, and a new more Christ-like and peaceful way to view and respond to the political tension in our nation that is causing hatred and division. If you are tired of the division and being caught up in a political battlefield; Join the party of "Christians" and "Americans". Listen to learn all about it.

#peace #politicalpeace #goodmentalhealth #Christian

SummaryIn this episode of the Victorious Living Christian Counseling Podcast, Crystal Ridlon LPC discusses the concept of projection in relationships, particularly within a Christian context. She explains how projection can manifest in various forms, such as triangulation and emotional venting, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing these behaviors to maintain healthy relationships. Crystal offers practical strategies for setting boundaries, self-soothing, and finding peace in Christ, encouraging listeners to cultivate awareness and implement healthy communication practices.Takeaways

• Projection is a psychological defense mechanism.
• Triangulation is a damaging relationship dynamic.
• Healthy relationships require mutual communication.
• Self-soothing is essential before reaching out to others.
• Setting boundaries is crucial for emotional well-being.
• Projection can lead to feelings of guilt and confusion.
• Recognizing projection helps in managing relationships.
• Healthy conversations should be meaningful and reciprocal.
• Jesus modeled healthy boundaries in relationships.
• Peace in relationships starts with individual self-awareness.




Key Concepts

• "Projection is the thief of joy."
• "Projection is draining and overwhelming."
• "We must learn to self-soothe."
• "Healthy conversations are meaningful."
• "Healthy relationships are filled with joy."
• "We need to guard our heart."
• "Peace starts in you."

Have you ever experienced conflict in a relationship? Of course you have, because we all experience conflict in relationships. This is a normal part of life. Relationships can be messy, they can be difficult sometimes, they can be painful, but with the right tools, our relationships can, in fact, be healing, joyful, and places that make a life worth living. In today's podcast, we talk about managing relationships and what to do when we find ourselves being treated by other people. This can be very difficult, but it is important to remember that most often when someone is treating you poorly, it's not about you, it's about them. When true people treat you poorly. It's usually because of their unmanaged pain, anger, worldview, and hurt. This has been a healing lesson for me in my walk and in my relationships. Listen and share about how to maintain healthy relationships. In today's podcast we discuss 6 keys to better management of the relationships that are most important to you. In addition, we discuss thoughts from the therapy room and how I "the therapist" work to manage relationships and teach about relationships in therapy. God Bless! Crystal Ridlon, LMHC, LPC

There are no hopeless situations, only people who've become hopeless. This is key to remember when walking through hardships and trials. When clients come to me, oftentimes they have grown hopeless and we work together to combat the lies of the enemy with God's truths, this helps them rediscover their hope. The Bible does not sugar coat suffering, it is filled with stories of despair and suffering. The Bible models how God uses stories of despair and turns them into hope and times of preparation. Check out this podcast if you need to hear from God if you need a reminder of the hope of Christ.

Easter is a time of rejoicing because the grave couldn't hold Jesus in the ground. Yet, Good Friday was hopeless, sad, dark, awful, filled with desperation, and anguish for those who loved Jesus: His mother, friends, and followers. Today's podcast discusses the hope of Easter through the lens of seeing how the joy came after such a dark and traumatic time. As a counselor, I explain PTSD trauma symptoms from a therapist's perspective. This episode reveals the joy that will come after a time of trial and hardship if we maintain our focus on God and never lose hope in God's promises. 2 Peter 1:19