Are You Teachable?

 

They say as parents that we are to look for “the teachable moments” when we try to guide our children through life. And isn’t it easy to find all sorts of ways that others could change or do things different to make their life better? Yet, as the autonomous adults that we are, how open are we to allowing life’s circumstances to be our greatest teacher? Do you commit to truly learning from your choices and circumstances, or do you find that you simply ignore the opportunities to evaluate the contributing factors of the outcome you just experienced?

From a personal perspective, I find it quite humbling and eye-opening when I risk inviting others to give me feedback on the way they experience me or on the insights they have into any certain predicaments I might find myself in. For instance, recently I was teaching my child about table manners and ways to conduct herself while eating. When I was finished, I invited her to inform me if she saw me doing any of the things I was trying to train her out of……and to my surprise, it took me about five tries during dinner that night to re-correct myself from a habit that I have before I was able to apply the very same rule I was asking her to abide by!

From a Christian therapist’s point of view, it is quite evident that the circumstances in life, especially the challenges, offer us an opportunity to grow in character. Scripture tells us that God is committed to “training us in righteousness” (see 2 Timothy 3:15-17) and that He allows us to endure the trials of this world, not to harm us rather to help us grow through it and learn to further embody His character (see Hebrews 12:7-11). Truthfully, there is a quiet solace in knowing that no matter what is occurring in your life, you always have a choice to learn from it, or to risk repeating it. One way of applying this truth is instead of staying stuck in fear, frustration or regret, commit to move towards an attitude of “what can I learn from this?” and “what might God be trying to teach me as a result of this experience?”

So how about you? Would you say that you are teachable and open to learning through the interactions in your life? How have you learned to respond when God offers you a “teachable moment” in your life and your relationships?

 

Justin

Each beginning starts with the first step...

Welcome to my blog. If you are reading this, there is a very good chance that you share my desire to search for quality, Christian-based resources and ministries that are focused on enhancing the quality of our personal lives, families and church communities. That, or perhaps you are simply appeasing someone who asked you to check this website outJ.  Either way, here we are, together in the inaugural launch of this website’s blogging history. First off, I offer you a genuine “thank you”, not just for confirming that there is a need for reaching out to other Christians in a very personal and authentic way, but I offer a sincere “thank you” for being the person who chooses to invest in their spiritual lives and relationships.

As you may have already seen from my corresponding website, www.christiancounselingjustinbangert.com , professionally I am a licensed Christian marriage and family therapist serving the greater Madison, Wisconsin community.  I have several areas of credentialing in sexual addictions, internet and video game addictions, parenting programs such as Love and Logic, as well as a generalized Christian background in topics such as grief, loss, anger, forgiveness and overcoming spiritual barriers or relationship wounds that may exist in our lives.

Personally, I have been married to my wife for eight years, we have been blessed with three children, an older daughter and a set of twin boys, and we reside in the greater Madison area near our church community.

 So therein lies the answer to the reason for this blog. I intend to create an online safe place where I can bring attention to the importance of everyday life issues that perhaps get overlooked or are “unvoiced” in the busyness of life that we all live. My inspiration for each topic will be from the very real experiences you and I share in life as spouses, or as parents, or as fellow Christians who at times likely struggle in an imperfect world. I hope to offer both a personal perspective as well as a base of professional knowledge, but more importantly, I pray that you will engage with me to create a genuine dialogue and discussion amongst others in our church communities who may have come across similar scenarios and who likely have been shaped by their experiences.

Finally, I hope to incorporate each topic we discuss back into a larger body of Christian resources that are available to any who are “seeking and looking to find”. As with my corresponding website, I plan to have specific follow up articles to recommend, and likewise I am open to any suggestions or recommendations you might have for other fellow readers to consider.

In closing, I again thank you. Whether it is because you obliged the request of someone who asked you to read this, or more likely because you have seen the intention I have of this blog to be something of value to you and your church community. I greatly look forward to sharing, learning, and creating fellowship with you. 

 

Justin