I hope everyone is staying cool during these hot months. I’m trying to find the perfect balance between my love of coffee and my need to feel chill. Today, I’m writing to share important updates that include the ability to accept new insurance plans and an exciting feature story that highlights my personal story and the mission of Overcomers Counseling.

So, let’s cut to the chase with all my news. First, I joined a company called Headway which will allow me to accept Aetna, Anthem/Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Georgia, Cigna, Oxford, Oscar Health and United Healthcare Insurances. I continue to accept Humana, Tricare and private pay as well. I’m using Headway to manage my billing and admin work, so that I can focus my energy on our time together. Headway manages everything related to payments and insurance, and clients have found that they make it really easy. They’ll send you an email directly, prompting you to create an account and provide your insurance information and a credit card for your copay or deductible. Headway will use your existing insurance benefits, which will determine your cost per session. When you’re ready to get started in the process, visit my personal headway link at https://headway.co/providers/kimberly-duff.

Next, I’m very excited to share a feature on my personal history and business by the writers at Canvas Rebel. Be sure to check it out by going to https://canvasrebel.com/meet-kimberly-duff/

In closing, I’m a phone call or email away if you or someone you know wants to explore the counseling process or schedule an appointment. I want to be there for anyone struggling with mental health, physical health or family issues. As a counselor with over 15 years of experience, I specialize in Christian counseling, disability and chronic illness, and military and their family members. Visit me online at https://www.kimberlyduff.com or send a secure email to [email protected] for more information.

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Sometimes in life you have to be willing to “do it afraid!” Here are some steps to help you take stock, consider your options, and move forward even if you’re scared:

1. Consider Health Issues when Making a Decision

As a cancer survivor with multiple disabilities, I was not the average girl starting a family.  I had undergone extensive treatments that included multiple rounds of radiation and powerful chemotherapy.  What was the impact on my fertility?  How did this impact a future child? Should we fear birth defects, and would I even be able to have a baby? I began to search for the answers to these questions by asking my current and former doctors about the risks of pregnancy and childbirth.

• Always put your health first
• Research online, get opinions of doctors, and listen to your heart

2. Consider Practical Issues and the “real world”

After receiving the news that there was no reason I couldn’t have a child and that no obvious risks for birth defects existed, we next began to explore the practical concerns

Some of the initial concerns included how to handle a variety of tasks without vision.  Changing diapers, feeding the baby, getting the baby to appointments, traveling with 2 blind parents and a baby.  How could we possibly do these things?  We slowly found answers to these questions and formulated a plan.  There were a variety of resources out there such as a blind parents Facebook group and web sites that described how blind parents handled many tasks.

• Make a plan before you take action
• Consult with others with your limitations who have gone before you
• Consult with professionals who can offer suggestions about adaptive ways of facing the problem

3. What to do When the Rest of the World Thinks You’re Crazy

Now here’s where things got interesting…we next began to discuss our decision to have a baby with family and friends. I know our family and friends meant well, but you have to remember that most people don’t understand how we do the simplest of tasks.  Cooking, cleaning, working and just putting on makeup; this all looks impossible to the average outsider.

Thus, as we began to share our hopes and desires to have a baby with those around us, we had a variety of responses that contained elements of fear and caution mixed in with a little happiness along the way. Part of me wanted  to hear, “We will be there for you to help in any way we can,” or “Let us know how we can help.”  Yet, the reality was those on the outside had more questions and concerns than we did.

4. Remember God is the Only one you can Trust

This led me back to the rock, the firm foundation in my life.  Christ my Savior, my hope of glory.  He had brought me through before when things were impossible, and he would have to do it again.    Yet, I had no idea what kinds of struggles were ahead.  We were in unchartered territory and having a baby meant we were responsible for this life and its safety and well-being.

• Realize that your friends and family will always fall short
• Learn to put your faith in God to help you through whatever you may face
• have confidence in your ability to handle each challenge with God’s help.

5. Take a leap of Faith and Believe in Yourself

I once overheard a family friend jokingly say to my pregnant friend about her pregnancy, “You guys are smart people, we knew you guys would figure things out eventually!”  While this statement is funny, it illustrates the simplicity of childbirth.  After all, isn’t it a simple A+B=C transaction?  As I analyzed the many complicated angles of becoming blind parents, I eventually realized that I was making things too complicated.  After all, people had been having babies for thousands of years.

In the end, I realized deciding to become a parent was that simple.  With a little cooperation from my husband, we decided to take the plunge and to start trying to become pregnant.  I didn’t have all the answers, and I didn’t even know if I would be able to get pregnant due to my medical history.  I must admit, I truly didn’t believe it could be that simple.  Everything else I had accomplished in life took hard work.  I was used to failure, I was used to trying again and again, so you can imagine how amazed I was when I learned I was pregnant.  Not only that, I had been in this condition for 13 weeks before I realized our attempt was successful!

Isn’t that the way life is sometimes?  We think things have to be hard or complicated when all we need to do is to step out.  I can’t even say I always even step out in faith. Yet, as I continue to keep moving forward, one step at a time.  I am able to fill in the blanks as I go.

• Step out in faith, and do it afraid!
• Don’t be surprised when God grants you the desires of your heart
• Don’t be concerned that you don’t have all the answers, you can figure it out as you go!

In this blog entry, I presented 5 suggestions to help people with disabilities and others  learn how to pursue their dreams when these dreams seem impossible.  These steps  include consider and research health issues that may impact your dream, consider practical issues and limitations and how these impact the dream, and make a plan,  Finally, realize God is the only one you can trust and step out and take a leap of faith.

The post Do It Afraid! 5 Steps For Chasing Your Dream When The Dream Seems Impossible appeared first on Overcomers Counseling, LLC.

The following blog was written by guest blogger and friend Kimberleigh S Daniels. I asked her to write about the role of spirituality in facing problems. As I read, I found similarities to techniques of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Ms. Daniels uses a combination of Christian counseling techniques that include prayer, Bible reading, speaking her faith out loud and reciting scriptures to overcome her problems. This is similar to the guidance and support I provide during a counseling session. Ms. Daniels does a fabulous job of being her “own therapist” and illustrating how one can use his or her own spirituality to overcome the challenges of life. 

How Does My Faith Help Me Overcome My Problems?

I have experienced my share of problems, some brought on by my own poor choices and others brought on by various factors that I had no control over. Some have lasted for but a brief time and others have long ago worn out their welcome. I have made it through the darkest seasons of my life because the truth I know is greater than what I feel.

Dealing with My Problems without Faith

Sometimes in my problem, I begin to feel alone. I feel like no one cares, no one understands, and I have to do this on my own, whatever “this” is at that moment. When those thoughts start, I sink fast. I feel panicked because there’s no one to reach out to for help.

The Power of Words

I have to speak truth to the feelings that are taking over me. In these moments I have to remind myself that my feelings are not my reality, and I have to speak TRUTH…out loud!

• The LORD is going through this with me; He will never leave me or forsake me. (Deut. 31:6)
• Nothing can separate me from Jesus. (Romans 8:35-38)
• He is with me ALWAYS. (Matt. 28:20)
• I will not be afraid because You are with me God. I will not be dismayed because You are my God. You will strengthen and help me. You will uphold me. (Isaiah 41:10)

Feelings Can Take My Peace and Joy

When I more than feel my feelings, and I allow them to lead, it is easy to take on a victim mentality. All the things I hear from the media or misguided ministers begin to control my thoughts: If God is good, why is he letting me experience this? If He is all-powerful, then He would just end this. If He is my daddy, why doesn’t He just wipe out these bullies I keep having to deal with? If He is pleased with me, then why doesn’t He fill my coffers like that guy said He would? You get the idea. The longer I let them run rampant, the darker they get. And again … I have to take these wrong thoughts captive and speak TRUTH.

When My Plans Don’t Work Out

I know that this hasn’t surprised Him, and He has a plan.

Most of my problems have caught me off guard. I hadn’t planned on a lingering sickness. I thought they would be in my life longer. I had no idea that today would be my last day with income. Unplanned things leave my best-laid plans in chaos. No i’s dotted or t’s crossed…I can’t even read the print!!!! These events often leave me feeling confused, dazed, like I’m in a fog. Things that should remedy the problem don’t … and there I go again … panic!

Again, I have to speak what is my reality:

• You have plans for my life, and they are good. (Jer. 29:11)
• I know that even in this You are working for my benefit. (Romans 8:28)
• Lord, I have made plans for my life, but You establish my steps…including this one. ( Proverbs 16:9)
• As You have planned for my life, so shall it be. (Isaiah 14:24)
• You saw me and all my days before my mother was even aware of my existence. You had already written all of my days…including this one and all that it brings. It did not surprise you, and it is not too big for You! (Psalm 139:16)

I know that He is good.

• You do not want me to be anxious, so I give ALL of these things I am worried about to you. ( 1 Peter 5:7)
• You are good and what You do is good. (Psalm 119:58)
• Lord, I thank you for your goodness. (Psalm 107:1)
• You are good to all; you have compassion on all that you have made and that includes me. (Psalm 145:9)
• How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for me! (Psalm 31:9)

I know that He will deliver me.

The other lie that is easy for me to buy into is that this problem will never end.

• You will deliver me from this distress. (Psalm 107:6)
• You said I can call on you in the day of my trouble and you will deliver me. I give you glory for my deliverance! (Psalm 50:15)
• You are my rock, my fortress, and my DELIVERER!! (2 Sam. 22:2)
• Lord, deliver me from all of my fears. (Psalm 34:4)
• You know how to rescue me from this trial. (2 Peter 2:9)
• I will not fear for you have redeemed me. You have called me by name, and I am yours! Even in this you are walking with me. I am precious in your eyes, honored, and you love me. (Isaiah 43:1-5)

Our feelings are good. They were given to us by God to discern and to be able to experience the joy He has created for us. But in times of trouble or distress, they often get out of control and try to be dictators rather than informers. Faith helps to keep them in their right place. God encourages us to feel them, burying them only leads to greater trouble later. But His Word equips us with TRUTH for when they get out of their lane.

The Outcome

Problems and troubles lead to overwhelming feelings of fear and inadequacy. Faith plus speaking the Word and reading the Bible leads to thoughts of peace and strength. The individual is ready to overcome problems!

To read more by Kimberleigh S Daniels, please visit www.rootedgypsysite.wordpress.com

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