WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS
It’s interesting working in an environment where my job every day is about serving and teaching others to serve. Many people think that life is about receiving and getting the top position and that it will somehow fulfill them and make them someone. We have been talking a lot lately at Side by Side Ministries about the search for significance and that when we don’t get the love and acceptance from our parents and families as a child that we needed that it causes this need for proving ourselves.
When this happens, we often do not realize it’s what drives us to perform and achieve. We may be completely unaware of it, yet it can still be a powerful force. It can push us to do things that seem right at the time, but in the end, they may not turn out well. What began with good intentions can still lead us in the wrong direction.
After this pattern repeats over time, it can still feel like a puzzle we cannot solve. We sense that pieces are missing, but we do not know what they are. Even when we feel that something is lacking within us, the reason can remain unclear. The struggle continues both inside us and around us. If we look back, we can see the trail it has left behind.
Dysfunction in our lives and our relationships comes from the dysfunction that we experienced as a child in our birth family. That is hard for us to see and be aware of because it’s all we have ever known. Even once we begin to see it, it’s harder to be able to accept it because then what will we do with it? We don’t have the capacity or the will to change it. It can seem so wrong to let yourself begin to go down that path of thinking. Family systems are hard to break into and denial is common.
The conflict that seems to continue with those around us is often really a battle within ourselves. We simply redirect it to something else. It can feel like a never-ending battle, but there is hope for a better way of living and loving ourselves and others. Recovery is possible and we have a lot of resources as well as referrals that we can make for you. Contact us for an assessment. Our services are free. We have trained staff on the premises, and we have been here in Le Mars serving people for almost 25 years.
Address: 112 Central Ave. NE in Le Mars
Phone: (712) 546-7544
Web: sidebysideministries.org
Facebook: Facebook.com/wearesidebyside
Office Hours: Mon – Thurs: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
