Restoring Relationships Through Awe in Christian Counseling in Chicago
The other day, I went for a walk through one of my favorite spots in my Chicago neighborhood. It was a sunny, cold winter day, and the air was super crisp. I paused for a moment, looking at the bare trees, and felt...grateful. I was surprised by this feeling, after all, it is winter, and many of us can’t wait for spring to arrive. And yet, for a brief moment, I felt the most calming, settling sense of okayness. I felt grateful for winter, for the vastness of nature, and how it doesn’t rush. Everything else quieted. I was in awe…and with that awe came hope.
In my personal life, and as a Christian counselor in Chicago, I’ve seen how connecting with appreciation or the reality that we are part of something bigger than ourselves can almost instantly shift how we view and relate to our circumstances. All of a sudden, what once felt overwhelming becomes manageable.
How Can Christian Counseling Help Me Connect with Appreciation and Awe?
Being appreciative during hard times might be the last thing on your mind. But what if I told you that developing a daily practice of gratitude and awe could help you manage anxiety, feel more connected in your relationships, and see your circumstances from a fresh perspective?
As a Christian counselor in Chicago, I often see how appreciation and a sense of awe can help my clients become more present in their lives. These practices help quiet negative self-talk, ease feelings of overwhelm, and open space to consider a new perspective rooted in connection, hope, and God’s love.
Let’s explore how awe and appreciation can transform even the most challenging moments into opportunities for growth.
Fostering Deeper Connections Through a Sense of Wonder and Appreciation
When we think of appreciation, we often associate it with thankfulness, recognizing a gift, or expressing gratitude for someone’s kindness. While this is certainly part of it, appreciation goes deeper. At its core, it’s about recognizing the inherent value of someone or something and finding joy in that recognition.
Joy is relational; it whispers, someone is glad to be with me. That “someone” could be a friend, a loved one, or even God.
Appreciation is nurtured through moments of joy, peace, connection, or acceptance experienced with others, in nature, or through meaningful activities. And when we intentionally revisit these memories, we train our minds to recognize the good, even amidst life’s challenges.
This intentional practice of appreciation often opens the door to something even more transformative: awe. Awe invites us to step outside our daily concerns and marvel at the vast, beautiful, and deeply meaningful aspects of life. Whether it’s watching the sunrise, seeing an act of kindness, standing under a canopy of stars, or reflecting on God’s love, awe shifts our focus from worries to the bigger picture. It reconnects us with the wonder of being part of something greater than ourselves.
Research highlights the profound impact of awe: it reduces stress, helps manage anxiety, and fosters deeper connections with others. Isn’t that amazing?
In Christian counseling, I help clients engage in their spiritual practice by paying more attention to those awe moments. By marveling at creation, meditating on Scripture, or contemplating God’s love, awe realigns our hearts and minds with His peace and purpose.
How Can Practicing Appreciation and Awe in Christian Counseling Benefit My Relationships?
Through awe and appreciation, we’re reminded that we are deeply loved and part of a grander story. These practices not only help us navigate life’s difficulties with more resilience but also restore our relationships, with ourselves, others, and God.
One of the most powerful ways appreciation and awe change our lives is by activating our relational mind. When we focus on what we value and feel a sense of wonder, we become more open to receiving from others and God. This shift can help you:
Reduce anxiety by quieting the negative self-talk that keeps you stuck, isolated, or reactive.
Build resilience by helping you stay connected to loved ones and your faith during painful situations.
Deepen relationships and reduce conflict by encouraging you to approach others with curiosity, compassion, and confidence.
Slowing down to appreciate or marvel at something meaningful also gives our minds a break from stress and allows us to experience moments of peace and clarity.
How to Cultivate Appreciation and Awe: Tips from Christian Counseling in Chicago
Developing these practices doesn’t require big changes, just intentionality and a few minutes each day. Here are some simple steps to get started:
Recall a Joyful or Awe-Inspiring Moment
Think of a time when you felt joyful, peaceful, or deeply moved. This could be a moment in nature, a meaningful conversation, or a time of worship. Allow yourself to fully focus on the memory for 2–3 minutes. As you grow in this practice, you can extend the time to 5–8 minutes.
Engage Your Senses
As you recall the moment, immerse yourself in the details. What did you see, hear, smell, taste, or feel? Notice how your body responds, a sense of calm, warmth, or even a tingle of excitement. Where does appreciation or awe “live” in your body?
Reflect and Connect
Write down your experience. Reflecting on it helps solidify the memory and trains your brain to seek out these moments in daily life. Consider how this memory connects you to God’s presence and His love for you.
Invite Awe into Your Day
Look for opportunities to experience awe. Watch a sunrise, listen to your favorite worship song, or spend time in prayer reflecting on God’s majesty. Allow these moments to remind you of His power and care for you.
Transforming Your Relationships Through Awe and Appreciation
As a relationship therapist who offers Christian counseling in Chicago, I often guide clients in using appreciation and awe, like the exercise above, to navigate anxiety in their relationships. When we focus on the beauty and value of the people in our lives and our surroundings, we become more present, less reactive, and better equipped to communicate with openness and confidence.
By cultivating awe, whether through nature, Scripture, or reflecting on God’s goodness, we can approach our relationships with greater curiosity and grace, building deeper, more authentic connections.
References:
Monroy, M., & Keltner, D. (2022). Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 18(2), 309. https://doi.org/10.1177/17456916221094856
Brown, A. (2021). Journey Groups: Level One: A Relational Discipleship Experience. Deeper Walk International.
K.D. Lehman MD. (2011). Brain Science, Psychological Trauma, and the God Who Is with Us, Part V: The Immanuel Approach, Revisited.
Schedule a Free Consultation for Christian Counseling in Chicago
If you’re feeling disconnected in your relationships or overwhelmed, I invite you to consider how awe and appreciation could be part of your healing journey. Through Christian counseling in Chicago, I can help you cultivate these practices and work together to manage anxiety, feel more present, and connect deeply with yourself, your relationships, and your faith.
Schedule your free 15-minute consultation today to take the first step toward transforming your relationships and finding peace in the midst of life’s challenges.
Lisaura is a Relationship therapist in Chicago who offers individual relationship counseling, dance therapy, and couples workshops to help adults connect with themselves and others more deeply.
Spanish-speaking therapy services are available as well.
