How to Avoid Toxic Thoughts Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC Children are taught to avoid toxins—whether in plants or household chemicals. We’ve learned to steer clear of poison ivy and venomous snakes and avoid plunging our hands into boiling water or our forks into electric outlets. But we miss the deadliest toxins of all each time…

When It’s Your Turn to Ask for Forgiveness Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]; and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up…

How Forgiveness Helps Us Enjoy Life Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC All of us experience situations, people, or events that fuel emotional pain. Forgiveness helps us release that pain to move forward into new opportunities. Traumatic memories—from hurts and rejection to relationship wounds—are stored in the brain’s amygdalae and can be repeatedly reactivated by any of…

Restoration or Renovation? Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC   I’ve had this desk since I was in second grade. Initially, I tried to hide my disappointment when my parents  presented me with this wooden desk instead of the cardboard child’s desk I’d requested. Unlike my friend’s disposable desk, my oak counterpart has survived decades, first providing…

Covid of the Soul Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC It finally happened. During the first week of May, my husband and I began a two-week Covid omicron odyssey, our bodies sidelined by a peripatetic virus. It’s astonishing how rapidly an invisible particle can rob one’s ability to stand, walk, taste, or smell. We’re gratefully recovering, thanks…

How to Plan a Successful Pity Party Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC Choose a date and time. Prepare your invitations (I have a friend who has extras if you need them). Focus on yourself. Hire a violinist to play sad songs. Review how many things have gone wrong in your life. Say things to yourself like,…

Hearing God’s Voice When Feelings Are Big Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC Sometimes our feelings silence our faith. Feelings can be so big that they’re all we hear: friends fail you. A loved one is gone. You can’t find what you need (a job, a home, a friend). While it’s important to notice our feelings and…

Creating an Emotional First Aid Kit Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC As the people of Ukraine fight for their freedom (and their lives), we are praying together from wherever we are throughout the world. Today, the number of Ukrainian refugees exceeds two million, with adjacent nations working tirelessly to provide food, shelter, and clothing. We can…

A Story for Valentine’s Day Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC Wherever Valentine’s Day is celebrated throughout the world, many anticipate a day of disappointment or the painful disillusionment of unrequited love. Even for those who want to celebrate love, expectations can be dashed in a sea of unfulfilled hope. But we can make distinct choices to…

Being Present in the New Year Marti Wibbels, MS, LMHC A new year is a little bit like welcoming guests to our homes. We can choose to embrace 2022 with anticipation or live in persistent stress. Three times, Psalm 37 repeats God’s pattern for stress reduction: do not fret. “Fret” in the Old English means…