Tag: Perseverance

Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

Perseverance: Pressing On with God by Your Side

Brandi C

Perseverance: Pressing On with God by Your Side

Perseverance: Pressing On with God by Your Side

Perseverance is often less about strength and more about surrender. It’s waking up and choosing to keep going, even when everything in you wants to quit. And God honors that kind of courage. Sometimes it is hard but we can experience Perseverance: Pressing On with God by Your Side.

In therapy, we break the pressure of perfection and focus instead on progress. We celebrate the small victories: attending your session, speaking up for yourself, choosing to eat when you’re depressed, praying when it feels like a whisper.

You don’t have to climb the whole mountain today—just take the next step.

Perseverance isn’t glamorous—it’s gritty. It’s choosing to believe there’s still purpose in your pain, even when the outcome isn’t clear. In all honest, it’s trusting God to carry what you can’t. It’s learning that even setbacks don’t mean failure—they just mean you’re human. In counseling, we give ourselves permission to go slow, to rest, to heal. God never called you to hustle through suffering. He calls you to endure—not by your own strength, but by His. That’s where real perseverance is found—in your surrender, not your striving.

And in those moments when you feel like giving up, remember: you’re not walking this road alone. God sends people, Scripture, music, even quiet moments of grace to whisper, “Keep going.” Some days, the bravest thing you can do is simply show up. And that is enough.

Practical Tips:

  • Set one small, achievable goal each day.

  • Keep a progress journal—document even the tiniest wins.

  • Use gratitude to reframe the hard seasons.

Faith Perspective:
Galatians 6:9 encourages us: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” God sees your effort.

Reach Out

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Do Not Be Afraid

Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

Believe in Yourself

Brandi C

untitled design

Believe in Yourself: You Are Stronger Than You Think

Believing in yourself isn’t always easy. Life has a way of throwing obstacles in your path, making you question your worth and abilities. Maybe you’ve been told you’re not good enough. Maybe past failures haunt you, whispering that you’ll never succeed. Or maybe the weight of the world has left you doubting your own strength.

But here’s the truth: You are capable. You are worthy. You are enough.

Self-doubt is a powerful enemy, but it doesn’t have to control you. Every person who has achieved something great started with uncertainty. They faced moments where they wanted to quit, where fear told them to stop. The difference? They kept going. They chose to believe, even when it felt impossible.

Believing in yourself doesn’t mean you’ll never fail. It means you trust that, even when you stumble, you can rise again. It means knowing that mistakes don’t define you—how you respond to them does. Growth comes from perseverance, from learning, from pushing forward when things feel uncertain.

You might not see your strength right now, but I promise you, it’s there. You’ve survived things you once thought would break you. You’ve overcome struggles that seemed impossible. That resilience? That’s proof of your power.

So, how do you start believing in yourself? Surround yourself with people who uplift you. Speak kindly to yourself. Set small goals and celebrate each victory. Learn from failures instead of letting them define you. Most importantly, give yourself the grace to grow.

If you’re waiting for permission to believe in yourself, here it is: You are worthy of confidence. You are capable of amazing things. The only thing standing between you and success is the belief that you can. So today, take one step forward. Trust yourself. You’ve got this. 💛

Reach Out

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma

Nothing is Impossible: One Step at a Time

Brandi C

nothing is impossible when you put one foot in front of the other and take a step.

Nothing is Impossible: One Step at a Time

Life throws obstacles our way, making goals seem unreachable. But nothing is impossible when we take one step at a time. Progress isn’t about giant leaps—it’s about consistent, small steps forward.

The Power of a Single Step

Every journey begins with a step. A child learning to walk stumbles but keeps going. The world’s greatest achievements are built on persistence, not perfection.

Overcoming Fear of Failure

Fear—of failure, judgment, or the unknown—holds us back. Yet, failure is a stepping stone to success. Thomas Edison saw each failed attempt as a step closer to invention. The only true failure is not trying.

Breaking Goals into Small Steps

Big goals feel overwhelming, but breaking them down makes them achievable. Writing a book? Start with a page a day. Losing weight? Begin with small, healthy choices. Each step builds momentum.

The Role of Consistency and Patience

Success isn’t instant. Consistency and patience are key. Some days feel like setbacks, but as long as you keep moving, you’re progressing. Trust the process.

Stories of Perseverance

Helen Keller, despite being blind and deaf, learned to communicate and became an advocate. They kept moving forward.

Faith and Belief

Believing in yourself opens doors to possibility. Doubt will arise, but remind yourself why you started. Surround yourself with encouragers and take steps forward, even in uncertainty.

Practical Steps

  1. Set Small Goals – Break tasks into achievable steps.
  2. Create a Routine – Daily habits build success.
  3. Celebrate Wins – Acknowledge progress.
  4. Silence Doubt – Replace negativity with affirmations.
  5. Seek Support – Surround yourself with positivity.
  6. Keep Moving – Any step forward is progress.

The Journey is Worth It

Success is a of small, consistent steps. The dream that seems distant now will become reality if you stay committed. Take that first step—then another. Before long, you’ll look back and see how far you’ve come.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma, Faith Journey

I Did My Best, and God Did the Rest

Brandi C

@circle of hope counseling services (4)

I Did My Best, and God Did the Rest

There’s a deep peace that comes with knowing we are not in this alone. We show up, we try, we give it everything we have—but at the end of the day, we are only human. And that’s okay because God fills in the gaps where we fall short. At the end of my life, I want to say “I did my best, and God did the rest.”

Some days, our best doesn’t feel like enough. We carry burdens too heavy, face challenges too big, and battle thoughts that tell us we should be doing more. But the truth is, God never asked us to handle it all on our own. He asks us to trust Him.

When you’ve given all you can—when you’ve prayed, fought, endured, and still feel like you’re running on empty—know that God is still working. He sees what you’ve done. He knows your heart. And He is carrying you the rest of the way.

Maybe today, you feel like you’re falling short. Maybe you’re exhausted from trying to hold everything together. Take a deep breath and release it to God. Let Him take what you can’t carry.

Your best is all He asks for—not perfection, not endless striving, not doing it all alone. Just your best. And He will take care of the rest.

So, trust. Rest in His grace. Know that He is working in ways you can’t yet see. You are not failing, you are not alone, and you are deeply loved.

Do your best, and let God do the rest. 💛

Reach Out

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma, Faith Journey, Quotes

Take a Deep Breath and Try All Over Again

Brandi C

@circle of hope counseling services (3)

Take a Deep Breath and Try All Over Again

Some days don’t go as planned so you need to take a deep breath and tray all over again. You wake up with the best intentions, but life throws curveballs—stress, setbacks, exhaustion, or unexpected challenges. It’s easy to feel frustrated, defeated, or like you’re failing. But here’s the truth: you are not failing. You are learning, growing, and doing the best you can.

When things don’t go the way you hoped, pause. Take a deep breath. And try all over again.

Every single day is a fresh start. A new opportunity. You are not defined by yesterday’s struggles, last week’s mistakes, or the moments where you felt like you weren’t enough. Seriously, you are allowed to reset. You are allowed to begin again. And again. And again.

Trying again doesn’t mean ignoring the hard stuff—it means choosing to keep going despite it. It means giving yourself grace, adjusting where needed, and remembering that progress isn’t linear. Some days will be harder than others, but every time you get back up, you prove to yourself just how strong you are.

So, if today feels heavy, breathe. If you feel like you’ve messed up, breathe. If you don’t know how to move forward, breathe. Then take one step forward—no matter how small.

You are not stuck and you are not failing. You are trying, and that is enough. Keep going. Keep showing up. And when you need to, take a deep breath… and try all over again. 💛

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma, Faith Journey

Focus On the Step In Front of You

Brandi C

@circle of hope counseling services (2)

Focus on the Step in Front of You

When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to get caught up in the big picture—the long journey ahead, the challenges still to come, the uncertainty of it all. But when you stand at the bottom of a staircase, you don’t climb it all at once. You take it one step at a time.

The same goes for life. When anxiety whispers that you’ll never make it, when depression tells you it’s all too much, when the weight of responsibilities feels unbearable—pause. Breathe. Focus on the step in front of you, not the whole staircase.

What is one thing you can do today? Maybe it’s getting out of bed, drinking a glass of water, answering one email, or simply reminding yourself that you’ve survived hard days before. That one step is enough for today. Tomorrow, you’ll take another. And then another.

It’s okay if progress feels slow. Healing isn’t a race. Growth isn’t always obvious. Some days, just standing still is a victory. Small steps lead to big changes, even when you can’t see them yet.

So, if the road ahead feels too long, don’t let it paralyze you. Shift your focus. Just take the next step—no matter how small. And when you do, know that you are moving forward, that you are capable, and that you are not alone.

You don’t have to climb the whole staircase today. Just take the step in front of you. That is enough. 💛

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Happiness Versus Joy

Faith Journey

Joy in the Morning

Brandi C

psalm 30 5 sorrow to joy devotional01 25 purple

 

Let’s just leave this right here. Joy in the morning. I highly encourage you to go to YouTube and listen to the song. It is worth it, and I listen to it almost daily. There is a reason and a season for everything under heaven. If we could all just grasp that knowledge, we could truly experience this feeling at any time of the day. I pray you find yours today! Let the lyrics speak to your heart, bringing peace, hope, and encouragement. Trust in His timing and grace! Even when we don’t think it is the right time, in our eyes, it is always perfect in His.

… Everything happens for a reasonBut you don’t know what you don’t know.And you’ll never have peace if you don’t let go of tomorrow.‘Cause it ain’t even faith ’til your plan falls apartBut you still choose to follow.If it doesn’t make sense right nowIt will when it’s over
… There will be joy in the morning
… Giving in to your feelingsIs like drowning in the shallowsOh, you got to keep believingEven in the middle of the unknown‘Cause grace will be there when you come to the end of your ropeAnd you let goIt may feel like you’re going down nowBut the story isn’t over, oh
… There will be joy in the morningThere will be joy in the morning, ayeIf it’s not good, then He’s not done
… There will be joy in the morning(Hold on, hold on ’til the morning) oh we believe, we believeThere will be joy in the morning(Hold on, hold on ’til the morning) oh, aye, wooIf it’s not good, then He’s not doneNo, He’s not done with it yet

Reach Out

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, Faith Journey

The Lord Will Fight for You

Brandi C

The Lord Will Fight for You

The Lord Will Fight for You

I thought today was fitting for this Scripture. Today is my son’s 11th birthday and let me tell you…I have lived on this verse since the day he entered my life. There are so many facets of this child and the one that impresses me the most is that he is a warrior and he perseveres. He is the strongest person I know and if you knew his story, you would agree.

It has been an honor and a privilege to raise him. The Lord fought for him…from birth to his illness to when he died in my arms to when he woke up (still in my arms) to him telling me what he saw in those moments when I thought he went home to be with Jesus till now when he is as busy as anyone I have ever met. There is a battle, daily with him on different levels.

I began the journey struck with silence. My middle was mouthy. This leg of our journey, I will chose to let Him fight our battles. Do not mistake my silence as weakness because I am fiercely protective of him but I also know Who is fighting our battles. I’m good with sitting on the sidelines, eating popcorn, watching it play out because the Lord is working it all out for His glory. Happy birthday, buddy! You are our treasure and we love you forever and always.

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Circle of Hope Counseling Services, Faith Journey

You Are Capable

Brandi C

You Are Capable

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You are capable of doing all things when Jesus is by your side. People often tell me that they do not know who they are anymore due to the amount of trauma that has occurred in their lives. It is my pleasure to tell them that they are not only capable of doing all the things they dream of, they were created to do these amazing things because the King of Kings has gifted them with amazing talents. God will take all the tests (trauma) of your life and allow it to be a TESTimony for Him.

This makes you capable of handling any and everything as long as He is on your side because it isn’t you doing the heavy lifting. You are being obedient and He is carrying the burden for you. Matthew 11:28-30: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

💛 If you’re navigating life’s hard places and need a safe space to heal, grow, or just breathe—Circle of Hope Counseling Services is here for you.

We offer trauma-informed, faith-filled therapy for individuals, couples, and families.

📞 Reach out today to schedule your first session (KY residents only) or learn more: Circle of Hope Counseling Services.

You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Hope starts here.

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Faith Journey, Medical, Opsoclonus Myoclonus Syndrome

Let Us Marinate

Brandi C

Let Us Marinate

Let Us Marinate

 

Let Us Marinate on the picture. Open it up, enlarge it and just look. This canvas is a 16×20, and there is NO room left to put ANY type of bead. Beads of Courage is defined as “Every time a bead is given, courage is honored, suffering is alleviated, resilience is strengthened, and the experience of human caring is affirmed. Every Bead of Courage Program integrates the use of beads, the earliest art form known to humans, as visible, tangible symbols of human experiences that need and deserve to be expressed.”

This is my youngest son’s canvas of all of his beads. We kept them, for the longest time, on strings. The strings didn’t hold up, so we were able to get 2 beautifully hand-crafted wooden boxes that were overflowing. So, one day, I thought…let’s see what I can come up with. What I ignored was the WEIGHT of this thing. There is no way a nail can hold this thing up. We may have to prop it up or use 2 nails and a wire…it is heavy!

Each Bead

You will notice that there are different types of beads. Each bead is indicative of a procedure/therapy/accomplishment/etc. that the child has done. I will say, H did not earn any beads for the first 3 years of his disease. This was because BOC was a program for terminally ill children or children with cancer. I believe there was also, at his hospital, a cardiac program. When we moved hospitals, the requirements changed. Now, BOC includes those children/young adults with life-altering conditions. So, these are the beads he has earned in the last 2 years. Can you even imagine if we were to go back and get them for the first 3 years??!!

Oval Type Beads

Orange (too many to count)

Central Line (PICC), Broviac, Port, Midline, IJ, Pheresis Catheter Placement & Removal

Blue (too many to count)

Clinic Visit

Dark Green (0)

Dialysis, TPN, NPO

Gray (too many to count)

Dressing Change, Central Line, Osteotomy, Trach, Surgery Site, Others, & Skin Care

Glow in the Dark (2)

Echocardiogram

Magenta (too many to count)

Emergency, Unusual Occurrence, Seizure, Emergency Transportation

Light Blue (too many to count)

Eye Exam, Eye Drops, mouth Care related to Treatment

Glass Star (20)

General Surgery

Brown and Face Bead (2)

Hair Loss, Hair Growth

Lime (several)

Isolation Precautions, Fever, Neutropenia

Purple (too many to count)

IV Infusions (One bead per day or initiation & Discontinuation)

White (too many to count)

Learning New Medications, Parent Education

Beige (too many to count)

Nutrition & Diet Transitions

Yellow (too many to count)

Overnight Stay in Hospital (one bead per day)

Black (too many to count)

Pokes, IV starts, blood draws, subq & IM injections, port access, suture placement.

Tortoise (too many to count)

Procedures include Cath lab, biopsy, LP, casting, scope, shunt tap, IR, wound care, EVD, joint injections, aspirations, and others.

Pink (too many to count)

Respiratory support, sedation, anesthesia, ventilator

Silver Star (14)

Suture Removal, Staple Removal

Light Green (too many to count)

Test, Scans, CT, MRI, X-Ray, EKG, EEG, PFT, PET, US, BE, UGI, Nucl. Meds, Others

Rainbow (250)

Therapy, support staff visits (PT, OT, SLP), Others

Red (5)

Transfusions, Blood products, Pheresis

Aqua (a bunch)

Tube, Catheter Placement & Removal, NG, NJ, G-tube, Chest Tube, Foley, Drain, Others

Papa Beads (too many to count)

He got this from his Papa’s private collection. These beads are SO precious to me.

Special Beads

Handmade Glass Selection (68)

Acts of Courage, Treatment-related Milestones

Square Heart (3)

Admission or Transfer to Intensive Care Unit

BOC Signature Heart (2)

Completion of Treatment, Transfer to Adult Services

Ceramic Special Selection (50)

Independent self or parent giving infusions or injections, Following medication schedule, Special accomplishment, Recognition of Personal or Family Accomplishment

Bumpy (52)

Medication Challenges, Taking, learning, self or parent giving infusion or injection, Mobility Challenges, lying flat, bed rest, crutches, splint, wheelchair, 1st walk after surgery, other.

Fish (60)

Transfer units or facilities, long-distance travel for care, “upstream battle.”

Transplant Glass Selection (24)

Transplant

Member’s Choice (15)

Discharge from hospital

Let it ALL Sink In

This child, who got sick on June 6, 2017, had WAY more procedures, pokes, traveling, transplants, and all than he has had in the last 2 years. This canvas is only the last 2 years of the 5 he has had since he has gotten sick.

Resiliency.

He is fantastic, brilliant, strong, capable, and able, and now he is HEALED. I never thought I would say that word concerning H, but here we are saying it loud and proud for all to hear. God is good. I didn’t think He was good. Honestly, I wondered if He even existed sometimes. Yet, I had warriors all around us that held up my arms and faithfully prayed for my son. They were my faith when I had none.

My Theme Verse

Romans 4:18-21 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed…Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what he had promised.

Take that OMS!

 

Circle of Hope Counseling Services, End the Stigma, Suicide Awareness and Prevention

You are not Hidden

Brandi C

 

You are not Hidden

You are not Hidden

That phrase. You are not Hidden. It stirs in my soul. There are days when I feel like He doesn’t see me. He doesn’t care that He doesn’t hear my prayers. I am sure other people think that, but I listened to this song. He does hear me. When I am silently crying, alone, He hears me. Then, He sends His army just for me. He doesn’t send it to Antarctica or Timbuktu. The army comes to me, wherever I might be. Now, He may not respond to me the way I want it, but He still hears me. He still answers me. Click on Lauren Daigle’s name, and it will take you to the video. Very powerful.

I have this song on my playlist. Since I listen to it often, it is one that we all stop and focus on when the kids are doing their homework. One day, listening to this, I was all up in the Spirit. I looked over to my left, and there H was sitting. His eyes closed, his hands up in the air, and he sang along. My heart almost exploded.

Rescue

~by Lauren Daigle

You are not hidden
There’s never been a moment
You were forgotten
{You} are not hopeless
Though you have been broken
Your innocence stolen
I hear you whisper underneath your breath
{I} hear your SOS, your SOS
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
There is no distance
That cannot be covered
Over and over
You’re not defenseless
I’ll be your shelter
{I’ll} be your armor
I hear you whisper underneath your breath
{I} hear your SOS, your SOS
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It’s true, I will rescue you
I hear the whisper underneath your breath
{I} hear you whisper, you have nothing left
I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It’s true, I will rescue you
Oh, I will rescue you
Source: LyricFind

Important Numbers

To Make It Easier!  988