Crystal Fillingim, LMHC

30/12/2025

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25/12/2025

Merry Christmas 💕

06/12/2025

🌿 FAMILY HABIT: CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE

I’ve been diving into “7 Habits of Highly Effective Families,” and I wanted to begin sharing pieces I find helpful in working with clients. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be posting insights with biblical encouragement and practical steps. Here’s one that makes a huge difference in family peace:

One of the most powerful ideas is learning to live inside your Circle of Influence instead of your Circle of Concern.

Your Circle of Concern includes everything that worries or stresses you but isn’t in your control — other people’s choices, the economy, family drama, your child’s temperament.

Your Circle of Influence includes the things you can act on — your tone, your response, your boundaries, routines, mindset, and prayer life.

Healthy families grow stronger when they stop pouring energy into what they can’t change…
and start nurturing what they can.

💛 SCRIPTURE

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18)
(You can’t control other people’s behavior, but you can control your part.)

“A gentle answer turns away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1)
(Your tone is within your influence.)

“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)
(Your mindset is part of your influence.)

Scripture consistently points us back to the part we play.

✨ SIGNS YOU’RE OPERATING IN THE CIRCLE OF CONCERN

• Constant worry
• Trying to manage other people’s emotions
• Feeling powerless or overwhelmed
• Rehearsing worst-case scenarios
• Carrying weight that isn’t yours to carry

When we stay here too long, our peace drains quickly.

🌱 HOW TO SHIFT BACK TO YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE

Ask a different question.
Not: “How do I make them stop?”
But: “What can I do differently?”

Choose one small action.
• Change your tone
• Communicate a boundary
• Set a routine
• Pause before responding
• Pray first, speak second

Practice “release and return.”
“Lord, I release what isn’t mine, and I return to what is.”

🪻 FAMILY APPLICATION

Make two lists this week:

Circle of Concern — what’s stressing you.
Circle of Influence — what you can actually act on.

Choose ONE influence-area to start nurturing.

💬 REFLECTION

What’s one thing you’ve been carrying that isn’t yours to control?
And what’s one small action you can take today within your influence?

More habits and takeaways coming soon as we walk through this series together. 🌿

05/12/2025

20/11/2025

Can anyone else relate? 🙈🤣

Send a message to learn more

17/11/2025

☕Challenging Negative Thoughts

So often, the thoughts that cause us the most stress aren’t based on truth — they’re based on assumptions, worst-case scenarios, and stories we’ve told ourselves over time.

When a negative thought shows up, try pausing and asking gentle questions like:

✨ Am I making assumptions?
✨ Is there another way to look at this?
✨ Is this worry even within my control?
✨ What advice would I give a friend in the same situation?

These questions don’t dismiss what you’re feeling — they simply help you separate truth from fear. 💛

Scripture reminds us to “take every thought captive” (2 Cor. 10:5) — not by ignoring them, but by examining them and replacing them with what is true, good, and life-giving.

If your thoughts feel heavy right now, you are not alone.
Reach out. Talk it through.

There is hope, and there is help. 💬
—
If you’d like support learning how to reframe anxious or overwhelming thoughts, I’d love to walk with you through it.

11/11/2025

🌿 Sometimes we feel like we’re just not enough. Not strong enough, not patient enough, not capable enough.
But the truth is — we were never meant to be “enough” on our own.

Two fish and five loaves weren’t enough to feed thousands either… until Jesus stepped in. ✨

When we bring Him what we do have — our time, our effort, our broken pieces — He multiplies it beyond what we could imagine. 💛

So today, take heart. You don’t have to have it all together. Just bring what you have, and trust Him with the rest.

21/10/2025

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The devil will only get a foothold in your exhaustion if you're still trying to do it all in your own strength.

It was never your strength. It was always His.

03/10/2025

Sometimes the signs of struggling can sneak up on us:

Not enjoying things you used to

Feeling down or distracted more often

Isolating from others

Neglecting self-care

Irritability

Dreading daily routines

If you notice these in yourself, it may be time to pause, pray, and seek support. 🕊️ Healing is possible, and you don’t have to walk this road alone.

As a Christian counselor, I help women find peace, balance, and hope by combining faith with proven mental health strategies. 💛

📖 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

✨ If this speaks to you, reach out or share with someone who may need encouragement today.

27/09/2025

“Don’t let the sun go down on your anger…” but let’s be honest, we've all been there and sometimes we think we have time ⏳😂

Anger is normal, but when it starts lingering, it can affect our relationships and our peace. The Bible has a lot to say about handling anger (Ephesians 4:26–27, Proverbs 15:1), and counseling can give practical tools to help us respond rather than react.

So yes, maybe don’t wait until 2 minutes before sunset—get some guidance and learn to manage anger in a healthy way! 🌅

23/09/2025

Sometimes we let negative thoughts sit at our table far too long. 🌱 Today can be the day you choose to replace lies with God’s truth and peace. 💛

✨ “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:5