Stronghold Counseling Services, Inc.

Stronghold Counseling Services, Inc. Stronghold Counseling Services began as a vision of a ministry in the Sioux Falls area. We offer a gr

06/12/2026

“The most important thing in your life is not what you do; it's who you become.”
Dallas Willard

06/11/2026

Nurturing a relationship is a lot like growing compound interest. It requires consistent effort and time. When some people hear this they immediately bristle and wonder what nurturing a relationship might require, but the truth is that for many relationships, the time investment is much lower than you might think.

Research tells us that to have a healthy primary relationship, you must spend about seven hours a week together. This means that out of the 168 hours in a week, you must give the person you are most connected with 4 percent to have a great relationship. Friendships require even less time, but it’s important to note that any relationship you want to thrive is going to require you to invest some time and energy.

Discovering Your Communication Type by Jason VanRuler, copyright JVR Counseling LLC.

06/10/2026

Trust and connection are built through small, consistent moments over time.

Think of relationships and connection like a bonsai tree. Bonsai trees are known for their beauty and for what they represent. But did you know that the type of bonsai tree most people envision is typically at least ten to fifty years old? Bonsai trees take at least a decade to develop a well-­ established trunk, roots, and branch structure.

Relationships aren’t much different. A beautiful relationship isn’t the result of one conversation, but instead a commitment to ongoing communication and care.

Discovering Your Communication Type by Jason VanRuler, copyright JVR Counseling LLC.

06/09/2026

“We beseech You, Master, to be our helper and protector. Save the afflicted among us; have mercy on the lowly; Raise up the fallen; appear to the needy; heal the ungodly; Restore the wanderers of Your people; Feed the hungry; ransom our prisoners; Raise up the sick; comfort the faint-hearted.” (Clement of Rome, c. 100 A.D.)

06/08/2026

In the 1980’s, a group of ambitious scientists launched Biosphere 2—the largest attempt to build an artificial ecosystem, with all the water, food and oxygen generated within the facility. It failed. One of the main reasons why: the trees would grow too fast and then collapse. Young trees, they discovered, need wind to grow properly. When the wind blows, it bends the tree, which forces the roots to expand and provide a firmer anchor, ultimately strengthening the trunk. Shield a young tree from wind and you prevent its long-term growth. Shield a young person from problems and the outcome will be similar.

06/07/2026

According to Jonathan Haidt’s research in The Anxious Generation, teens spend 6-8 hours per day on screen-based leisure activities.

06/06/2026

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love.”
David, Psalm 51:1

Given our tendency to justify ourselves, it’s worth noting that David does not appeal to his record or his intentions. He throws himself entirely on the mercy of God. Grace begins only after self-justification ends. The hope of the Gospel is not that God discovers something lovable in us, but that His love is unfailing in spite of how unlovable we may be.

Mike Woodruff, The Friday Update

06/05/2026

A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.

GK Chesterton

06/04/2026

In Genesis 26, the patriarch Isaac faced multiple pressures. A terrible famine was threatening his livelihood (verses 1-5). He was in hostile territory, and he was worried he’d be killed by someone wanting his beautiful wife, Rebekah (verses 6-7). He also angered Abimelech, king of the Philistines, and was driven from his territory (verses 8-16). Local tribesmen constantly harassed and argued with him and his servants (verses 17-22).

Have you ever experienced a time when multiplied pressures and problems bore down on you? We all have! But that’s exactly when God appeared to Isaac and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you” (verse 24, NIV).

When you’re fearful or discouraged, learn to draw near to God. If you’ve admitted your fears to Him and called out to Him, He will deliver you. God doesn’t always remove you from your circumstances, but He will be with you through all of them, protecting you.

Dr. David Jeremiah

06/03/2026

Glimmers are tiny moments of goodness, joy, or beauty. A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger. Where triggers stimulate traumatic memories or negative emotions, glimmers stimulate positive emotions and feelings of safety and comfort.

Glimmers are not usually big things, but even the smallest glimmers can be powerful tools to help you shift from stress and shutdown to feelings of calm and connection. Noticing glimmers helps ground you in the present moment and activates the para-sympathetic nervous system, which can help lower your heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. Over time, intentionally noticing glimmers trains your brain to seek out safety instead of stress, and to see moments of goodness instead of mountains of problems.

Glimmers are gifts from our good and loving God. Our lives are surrounded by goodness and grace, if we only open our eyes to see it.

Not sure how to identify a glimmer? Consider these questions:
What brings you moments of delight?
What brings you feelings of hope?
What makes you feel safe or comfortable?
What gives you joy?
What makes you smile?

Prayers in Motion, Jennifer Tucker

Address

4300 S Louise Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD
57106

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+16053347713

Website

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