Coastal Counseling Services

12/13/2025

It seems for most of us, these holiday seasons are a mixture of joy and sorrow, battle and blessing, trial and triumph. We can glean the most from these seasons when we frame our story redemptively. When we remember the goodness of God, when we know that He has a 100% success rate at redeeming our stories, we can know with absolute certainty, that His goodness is coming. He’s moving even now, right in our midst. He’s always redeeming and restoring, even when we can’t sense it or see it. So rest today, knowing with all your heart that God is with you, for you, and intervening on your behalf. You’re going to be okay. Better than okay. You will triumph and walk victoriously through this season. You’ve got so many reasons for praise; so many reasons for hopeful expectancy! The God of Angel Armies is with you!

12/12/2025

12/11/2025

There's a great analogy for worrying about something that hasn't happened, yet: "Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." The quote, which is mostly unattributed, is a perfect guideline for those in Families Anonymous. It's natural for any of us with emotional scar tissue -- emanating from past drug use, relapses, lying, arguing and disappointment by our addicted loved one -- to assume chaos is just around the corner. We have experienced so much pain that even when things improve and the pain dissipates, the awful memories resurface. When there's even a minor blip in our lives, like a text message that's not immediately returned, we often assume the worst. One mother said, "My son was in early recovery, but he was depressed, and I just immediately assumed he was going to start using again. I had to reset." The FA program helps with the resetting. We understand that bad things happen, and we are not in control of that. But more often than not, we imaginations get us into trouble. A situation doesn't evolve the way we feared. A loved one goes to a meeting when they're struggling. Or maybe they do use but they learn a valuable lesson that helps them in their recovery journey. Our job in our recovery is to focus on ourselves. Otherwise, we cannot be the best version of ourselves, and we can't be there for our loved ones when they surrender to the reality of their disease and seek help. Another quote, from the late Dutch writer and speaker, Corrie Ten Boom: "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” Let FA help you find your strength.

12/10/2025

The heavens watched as Jesus entered our world on a rescue mission. Creation held its breath as Jesus made himself known for the sake of the lost, the hurting, and the broken. Wise men saw Him then and wise men still see Him today.

12/09/2025

"David’s sling reminds us that with God, even the smallest weapon becomes mighty. It wasn’t the stone that held the power—it was the Spirit behind it.

It was the quiet courage of a heart anchored in God, the kind of faith that looks at something impossible and says, “You do not define me. My God does.”

That’s why Zechariah 4:6 says: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the LORD.”

Because the truth is: your strength alone was never meant to be enough. Your strategy was never meant to carry the whole weight of your story. Your effort was never required to win battles God intended to fight for you.

God will help you. "

12/05/2025

Watch too many Christmas commercials in a row, and it won't be long until an uneasy sense of not- -enough-ness settles in. Look too long at your old Christmas ornaments and decorations (some of which you bought last year), and you'll breathe a sigh under your breath that says, everything's old, nothing is new. Attend a few well-done parties, and you'll feel convinced that you've got a long way to go to get your act together.

When you open the door to defeating and insecure thoughts, you take Christ right out of Christmas. Don't allow the lies to seep into your bones. Picture what you decorate with as a beautiful display of God’s gift of Jesus.

Though we all want to enjoy a festive and fun holiday, we are (thankfully) anchored to Christ, not to a Christmas tree that could tip over at any moment.

12/04/2025

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” ⠀
~ John 10:10 NLT⠀
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Have you noticed that the devil always goes after our worth, our position, and our performance? Why? Because Jesus won a sound victory against him on our behalf in all these areas. We possess all things in Christ. We’re secure in Him. And we have nothing to prove. We must hang on to these unshakable truths no matter the season.

12/04/2025

There is no evidence that Christopher Robin, a fictional character from A.A. Milne's "Winnie The Pooh," attended Families Anonymous meetings. But he would've been a great sponsor. Consider this excerpt from the book:
Pooh: "I would be quite lost without you. Who would I call on those days when I'm just not strong enough or brave enough?"
Christopher Robin: "You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
This is the genesis of the saying, "You're stronger than you know." Because we are. When a loved one is in the throes of addiction and we're surrounded by chaos, we don't feel strong or believe we'll ever be strong enough to find a path to peace. But there's a community that can help us -- a community of Christopher Robins. The philosophies and guidelines of a strong recovery program in Families Anonymous moves us forward. Recovery is not linear. There are ups and downs for the individual suffering from substance use disorder, and it works the same for us. But we do get better. We do get braver. We do great stronger. To get there, it only takes the courage to ask for help, and FA will be there to hold your hand and walk with you down a new path. Find a meeting and begin your path to peace today.