Dr Carol Ministries
Women In Charge!

Women In Charge!

Mother and DaughterWomen have a difficult time in this world. We always have. It’s not that men always have it easy, but as women we seem to get an especially difficult load of “stuff.”

Yes, this post is especially for women. First of all, I am one. Second, I’m an OB-Gyn physician, so the patients I see and care for are women. Men have their issues, but this is about you and me, girlfriend!

Just think of all the things we have to worry about:

  • Periods every month for up to 40 years, with their associated inconvenience and the physical and mental symptoms than come with them.
  • Pregnancy. As one of my step-daughters said, “Growing a human is hard work!”
  • No pregnancy. Infertility is not exclusively a female concern, but we certainly carry the brunt of the physical and emotional load when this becomes a problem.
  • Preventing pregnancy. Whether fair or not, decisions and use of contraception fall mostly on our shoulders.

Continue reading...
Where is that Peace on Earth?

Where is that Peace on Earth?

Church BellsI heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth goodwill to men.

Every year during the holiday season I hear from those who wish Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s didn’t exist on the calendar. It’s usually not because they thing giving thanks is wrong, or that they don’t believe in the miracle of the Christ-child being born in Bethlehem. No, it’s usually because of their own sadness, loneliness, or hurt.

Seeing others looking happy at holiday events, hearing upbeat Christmas music on the radio, being unable to escape the commercialism and decorations and images of joy – all that can make your own heart bleed if that’s not where you are right now. There are many for whom Christmas is anything but merry.

Perhaps that’s you. Perhaps the family gatherings you anticipate are certain to be filled with more conflict, anger, or trauma than joy. Or perhaps you have no family gatherings to anticipate at all. Perhaps you’re facing your first Christmas without someone you loved. Perhaps memories of Christmases past bring up feelings of fear, shame, or regret. Or perhaps the season only serves to remind you of what feels like a total lack of loving people in your life.

This year there’s much to NOT be joyful about.

Continue reading...
Doing the Next Right Thing

Doing the Next Right Thing

You’ve probably heard the adage, “Just do the next right thing.” In the midst of confusion or overwhelm, it’s a great reminder that we can’t do everything, but we can do something. And what we do makes a difference.

Knowing what the Next Right Thing is may sometimes seem difficult. So many factors are competing for space in your mind. The world – your little personal world and the world at large – is complicated. Your heart asks for more. The pile you must sort through may look something like this:

  • Your own fatigue, loneliness, anxiety, or fear
  • People you care about (spouse, children, other family, good friends) who need you
  • A sense of something bigger you are called to (fighting evil in some way – terrorism, human trafficking, poverty, environmental issues, etc.)
  • Your desire for “balance” – whatever that is
  • Personal baggage that seems to hold you back
  • Personal or family health issues
  • Others’ expectations of you (job, family, church, etc.)
  • A vague feeling of not really doing what God has called you to do

You may have written down goals at the beginning of this year that have long been forgotten, but leave you frustrated and feeling like a failure. You may feel as though you’re disappointing God or family or others. You may feel overwhelmed with the load life has thrown on you right now.

I have felt a lot of that myself in recent days.

Continue reading...
4 Times that God Needs You to be Angry

4 Times that God Needs You to be Angry

FistThe only people who are never angry are dead people – either dead literally, or dead-on-the-inside kind of dead. I’m going to go so far as to say that if you’re never angry, you’re mostly useless – to the people who really need you, and even to God. God needs you to be angry!

Of course that doesn’t mean we should live in a constant state of being “worked up” over every little thing. That’s dangerous to your own mental, physical, and spiritual health. And it doesn’t mean being the kind of volatile human being that everyone fears and would rather run away from. That’s dangerous to your own wellbeing and damages the kingdom of God.

But you need some fire in your soul if you ever want to accomplish what God has put you on this Earth to do.

Just days ago I was driving in heavy traffic, and felt my throat tighten and my blood pressure rise. I was facing some significant stress at that time that I had no control over, and piles of conflicting thoughts chased each other through my mind. I was tired emotionally and physically. And if one more person tried to cut me off in traffic . . . ?!!

Continue reading...
3 Kinds of Prayer That Can Harm You

3 Kinds of Prayer That Can Harm You

Man in PrayerPrayer is a good thing. Always.

But not all prayer is created equal. Did you know there are actually some kinds of prayer that can be destructive mentally and spiritually?

You already know this if you think about it. Think of how differently you feel after a screaming match with God over something you don’t understand compared with an intimate time of just being with Him and listening to Him from your heart. Neither are wrong. In fact God is the best One to go to with the tough stuff. But that illustrates how different types of prayer have different results.

As we grow through the Christian life we come to understand more and more about what it means to connect with God, communicate with Him, and walk with Him. In that process I hope you’ve grown past these 3 unhealthy, even dangerous types of prayer.

3 Unhealthy, Dangerous Prayers

1. Prayer That Demands

Demanding is not the same as asking.

Continue reading...