self help – Guarding Your Heart and Mind

Building Self-Worth Through Family and Faith

God created us in His image and likeness. I remind myself of this truth often until it resonates with me. Reflecting on Genesis, I realize the word “image” goes beyond physical appearance. Old enough now, I’ve learned that this passage is about more than looks; it highlights our nature as beings capable of relating, sharing, and loving. These qualities make us unique in the universe. God values relationships, and we do too.

Although this is my new understanding of the passage, it still serves as an essential reminder that our value transcends the physical.

Recently, I came across research from the Mental Health Foundation that highlighted the troubling impact of poor body image on young people. This issue often leads to self-disgust, anxiety, and depression, disproportionately affecting girls. As a father of two teenage daughters, this research deeply troubles me. Exposed to media representations, peer pressures, and their own personal struggles, they face an ongoing risk of developing unhealthy obsessions with unattainable body ideals. Unsurprisingly, the same research found that children with less exposure to social media tend to experience better overall mental well-being.

I saw the amazing impact of encouragement at a youth camp where my daughters participated. It was inspiring to see them showcase their talents in dancing, singing, speaking, and playing instruments. I am thankful they are part of a church community that supports their passions. Watching them shine on stage filled me with joy and reminded me that each talent shows God’s wonderful gifts.

At home, family plays an important role in building self-worth. The words we say about a child’s appearance can have lasting effects, either good or bad. As parents, we have the power to create a space where our children feel valued for who they are—not just for how they look. This includes celebrating their talents, their ability to love and care, and their courage to follow their dreams.

If you are a young person reading this, remind yourself that you are more than just flesh and bone. You are made for something far greater. And if, like me, you are older, take heart—our time is not over. There are still countless opportunities to be men and women for others. Remember, God is a God of relationships, and we are made in His likeness.

PSALM 139:14: “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

Rushed lives, lost meaning

By Dave Canovas

I know I’m rushing through life mindlessly when even my prayers feel hurried.

We live in an age of relentless acceleration. News reaches us within seconds, and life spins at such a dizzying pace that multitasking often feels like the only way to keep up. While multitasking can be productive at times, I’ve learned to listen to my heart. It sends a clear message: if rushing leaves me anxious or stressed, I need to slow down. Prayer can be a powerful tool to ground us, but if we rush through it, it risks becoming just another task, leaving life feeling chaotic and devoid of meaning.

For me, living at a hurried pace does more harm than good. It strips away my ability to focus and deliver excellence at work. It predisposes me to snap judgments and anger, especially in challenging conversations. I’ve found that slowing down helps tame my tongue and fosters clarity. But the greatest harm rushing does is that it robs me of patience and self-control—two fruits of the Holy Spirit that are especially essential in today’s fast-paced world.

In my classroom, I’ve seen the benefits of slowing down firsthand. When my students are restless, creating a slow, calm routine transforms our interactions. It fosters mutual respect and encourages self-regulation. When we slow down, we focus more deeply—on ourselves, on others, and on the present moment. We begin to notice and appreciate the journey rather than fixating on the destination. This shift allows us to discover new meanings and insights that would otherwise go unnoticed. By slowing down, we give patience the space to grow.

Prayer is one of the most profound ways to slow down. When we pray with intention—cherishing each word and speaking from the heart—it becomes an act of consecration. In these moments, we hear God’s voice more clearly. His voice soothes, heals, and refreshes our souls. Prayer is our sacred time with God, and He never rushes us. So why should we rush Him?

Decluttering Fear: Finding Power, Love, and Self-Control

By Dave Canovas

The world we live in today often feels like it thrives on fear.

For an idea or a person to grab attention or make headlines, they have to be the loudest, the most controversial, the riskiest, or the most sensational. And fear—fear is what sells. Think about the news we consume. With life becoming increasingly fast-paced, the front page is what hooks us, and the scarier it is, the more it draws us in.

Out of all the fears that society stirs up, the one that troubles me most is the fear of being disliked—or not being enough. I think about the young people of today, including my two teenage daughters. How do we teach them that they are already enough? How do we help them see that chasing the latest trends or having the “best” won’t truly bring them ahead in life? How do we help them navigate this culture of fear and come out stronger? This is no small challenge.

If you are someone who struggles with anxiety or fear, please know this: the world around you will never be the antidote. Trying to fill that void by giving in to its demands is like pouring water into a bottomless pit—it will never be satisfied.

Instead, to overcome our fears, we need to embrace simplicity and let go of the excess.

Before you click, before you buy, take a moment to pause and reflect. Impulsive buying, as many of us know, may bring fleeting satisfaction, but it often leads to regret or even stress afterward. The same goes for click-baits—they are traps, deliberately set to provoke anger, envy, or fear. Consider the motives behind these traps: they are rarely about your well-being.

As I said, this is a battle—one against habits and thought patterns ingrained over years. Breaking free won’t be easy, but remember this: we were not created to live in fear. As 2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Stay watchful. As it says in 1 John 4:1:

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

Let’s take these words to heart and lead lives that are rooted in faith, clarity, and love.