OCU Substance Abuse Counseling

06/18/2026

06/09/2026

Three Bones

Have you ever stopped to consider what it takes to live a fully devoted life?

It turns out, the essential kit for a Christian resembles the very parts of our anatomy. Based on the incredible life and teachings of the Apostle Paul, every believer must possess three specific types of bones to thrive:

1. A Wishbone
No, this isn't about superstition! This is about the longing that drove Paul.

Paul’s Wish: Think of how many times Paul declared his absolute obsession. “My prayer to God for them is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). His heart yearned for two things: that the world would know Jesus, and that he himself would become more like Christ every single day.

Our Wishbone: Does your heart have that burning desire? Are you filled with a deep, consuming wish to see God glorified, to see lost people found, and to be conformed to the image of His Son? A Christian with a 'wishbone' lives with purpose and passion.

2. A Backbone
We often think of Paul as gentle, but he was also incredibly, stubbornly unyielding when it mattered most.

Paul’s Backbone: When Peter, one of the primary apostles, began to compromise the Gospel, Paul confronted him face-to-face. He “withstood him to his face, because he stood condemned” (Galatians 2:11). Later, knowing chains and afflictions awaited him in Jerusalem, he said, “None of these things move me... so that I may finish my course with joy” (Acts 20:24).

Our Backbone: It takes spiritual spine to stand for truth. We need a 'backbone' to call sin what it is, to defend the simple Gospel, to stand against cultural decay, and to hold the line even when the pressure to fold is immense. A backbone isn’t mean; it’s steadfast.

3. A Funny Bone
This might seem surprising, but Paul’s life was also marked by a profound, resilient capacity for joy.

Paul’s Funny Bone: He wrote entire books while imprisoned! Think of Philippians, the "Book of Joy." Written from a cold Roman jail cell, Paul didn't just instruct others to rejoice; he exemplified it. Even in suffering, he saw the humor and absurdity of his situation—he was chained to a guard, but he was preaching to the entire palace! His joy was so genuine it must have looked like true humor to the watching world.

Our Funny Bone: This isn't about being silly; it’s about having a joy that the world can't touch. We need a 'funny bone'—the divine sense of joy that allows us to rejoice when persecuted, to laugh at the schemes of the enemy, and to face even death itself with a smile, knowing our story ends in glory. A joyful Christian is a powerful witness.

■ The Completed Kit
● A 'wishbone' gives you vision and purpose.

● A 'backbone' to give you strength and courage to get through tough times.

● A 'funny bone' to laugh along the way by giving you joy and perspective.

Paul was a man of bone and sinew, but his spiritual skeleton was perfectly composed. Let’s ask the Lord to strengthen our own 'survival kit.' Let us be Christians who dream big (wishbone), stand firm (backbone), and rejoice always (funny bone)!

06/05/2026

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good Christians?

It’s one of the hardest questions we face in our faith walk. When life falls apart, when diagnosis numbers don't look good, or when a door slams shut, it’s completely natural to ask, "Why me, Lord?"

Being a Christian doesn't give us a pass from pain. Jesus never promised an easy road, but He did promise He would never leave us. More than that, God never wastes our hurts. He uses the lowest valleys to build our deepest character.

Think about a diamond—it requires intense pressure to form. Or a muscle—it has to be stretched and strained to grow stronger. Our faith works the same way. The trials we face aren't meant to break us; they are meant to produce a resilience in us that a comfortable life never could.
The Apostle James gave us some powerful (and challenging) advice on this:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
— James 1:2-4

When we are in the middle of the storm, we might not see the purpose. But on the other side of it, we look back and realize we are stronger, more compassionate, and closer to God than we ever were before.

If you are walking through a season of testing right now, hold on. You aren't just surviving this—through Christ, you are growing spiritually.

06/01/2026

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, let us remember the importance of extending the love, grace, and compassion of Christ to those facing mental health challenges.

Just as Jesus calls us to care for one another, we can be a source of encouragement, support, and understanding for our brothers and sisters who are walking through difficult seasons. Mental health struggles are real, and no one should have to face them alone.

Remember: it's okay to not be okay. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness—it is an act of courage and strength. May we continue to build communities where people feel seen, heard, valued, and loved.

Let us be the hands and feet of Christ, offering hope, kindness, and a reminder that God's presence remains constant, even in life's hardest moments.

05/30/2026

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful—and most misunderstood—callings we have as Christians. We know God commands us to forgive, but humanly speaking, it can feel incredibly heavy.
Often, the struggle to forgive comes from a misunderstanding of what it actually means.

❌ What forgiveness does NOT mean:

● It does not mean forgetting.True forgiveness acknowledges the pain and the reality of what happened; it isn't pretending it never occurred.

● It does not mean it's easy. It is often a grueling, painful process that takes time and daily surrender.

● It does not always result in reconciliation. Forgiveness takes one person; reconciliation takes two. You can forgive someone while still maintaining healthy, safe boundaries.

● It does not mean the individual was right. Forgiveness doesn't minimize sin or excuse bad behavior. It simply hands the scales of justice over to God.

✨ What forgiveness DOES mean:

● It is a choice. It’s a decision of the will, not a wave of emotion. You don't have to "feel" like doing it to choose it.

● It means being set free. Bitter hearts are heavy hearts. Forgiveness breaks the chains connecting you to the hurt and releases you from the prison of resentment.

● It means obeying God’s Word. Scripture tells us to "be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

● It means being Christlike. When we extend grace to those who don't deserve it, we reflect the very heart of Jesus on the cross.

Choosing forgiveness doesn't make you weak—it shows the strength of the Holy Spirit at work within you. If you're struggling to let go of a hurt today, bring it to the Lord. He has the grace to help you take that first step.

05/28/2026

In a world that never stops talking, when was the last time you sat down and just listened to yourself—and to God?

Lately, I’ve been reminded of how powerful it is to put pen to paper. Journaling isn’t just about recording what you did today. It’s a profound tool for mental clarity, emotional healing, and above all, your spiritual growth.

Here is how a simple notebook can transform your daily walk:

1. For your Spiritual Growth: Your journal can be a space to write out your prayers, document answered prayers, and unpack what God is teaching you through Scripture. When you look back through old pages, you get a front-row seat to how the Holy Spirit has been working in your life, building a faith legacy that proves God’s consistency and goodness over time.

2. For your Mental Health: Think of it as a holy brain dump. When anxiety hits or your mind feels overwhelmed, writing it down untangles the mental knot. It takes the chaos out of your head and leaves it at the feet of Jesus, helping you exchange racing thoughts for His peace.

3.For your Emotional Health: Your journal is a completely safe, zero-judgment zone. It’s a place to be radically honest with yourself and with God—just like David was in the Psalms. Acknowledging your heavy feelings, hurts, and joys on paper is often the first step to experiencing true, faith-filled emotional healing.

You don’t need to be a professional writer, and you don’t need perfect grammar. You just need 5 or 10 minutes, a quiet space, and an open heart.
Grab a cup of coffee this morning or tonight, open a blank page, and invite God into the conversation. Your mind, heart, and soul will thank you for it.

"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done..." — Psalm 143:5

Do you use journaling as part of your quiet time? Let’s inspire each other in the comments! 👇
If you don't journal, today is always a good day to begin a healthy habit.

05/26/2026

If you're praying for someone or something, keep it up. Don't stop. Keep hammering.

05/26/2026

Recently, I attended two funerals within a 24 hour period. Grief is a heavy thing to carry, and truth be told, it doesn’t always follow a neat timeline and some grieve differently than others.

Some days, faith feels like a sturdy anchor; other days, it feels like holding onto a single thread in the dark.I’ve learned that having faith doesn’t mean we don’t cry, question, or feel the deep ache of loss. In fact, some of the most honest prayers are the ones spoken through tears. If you are navigating a season of grief right now, please know you don’t have to "have it all together." God meets us exactly where we are broken, not where we pretend to be strong.

~ "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." — Psalm 34:18

There's a misconception that if your faith is strong enough, grief shouldn’t hurt as bad. But the truth is, we grieve deeply because we loved deeply.
Lately, I’ve been figuring out how to let grief and faith coexist. I’m learning that it’s okay to feel sad and still be thankful. It’s okay to ask "why?" and still trust the "Who." Faith isn't about ignoring the storm; it’s about knowing there is comfort to be found even while it rains.

If you find yourself struggling with loss today, talk to someone, talk to God, remember His promises, and practice self-care.

05/24/2026

Schizophrenia can be extremely disruptive to a person's life. However, with consistent treatment - a combination of medication, therapy, and social support - people with schizophrenia can manage the disease and lead fulfilling lives. This Fall Semester in Abnormal Psychology, students will learn about many different psychological disorders, their symptoms, causes, diagnoses, and treatment. It's always an interesting class!