Live Like You Believe It
- Jamie Cooke, LPC
- May 1
- 8 min read
Updated: May 30
“Be patient with yourself, change takes time.” We’ve all either received or uttered these words with the best of intentions. The truth is that the decision to change is what takes time - convincing ourselves why it’s better to change, or why we need to change, or how we’re tired of trying to change with only failure as the result. Once we’ve truly made the decision to change, the behavior following is the easy part: you either start doing or stop doing the thing you’ve been wrestling with for hours, days, or even years. So, what are we to do when our strength of will doesn’t allow us to make a solid decision facilitating the change?
I learned from someone smarter than me that when one decides, one puts to death any other option outside of the choice made. What happens when an option dies? It ceases to exist as a path forward at all. There have been a handful of times in my life that a choice carried such emotional weight and actual consequence with it that a decision was quick, easy, and clear. There have been many other times in my life that a choice had (seemingly) so many pros and so many cons that a true decision seemed impossible at which to arrive. The many times I’ve half-heartedly made a choice because “I know it’s better for me...” but my childlike will just didn’t want to give up the pleasures of doing what I want when I want have led to guilt, shame, blame, and defeat. Allowing other doors to remain open only invites permission to absolve yourself from the commitment you’ve made (even half-heartedly). This is what we call “lukewarm”.
As a human race we will never have a mortal life free from wrestling with “what I want” vs. “what is right". Although, at times, what I want is in line with what is right, there are countless instances the two are at odds. When our own will wants the lesser of the two options, we must take hold of that God-given will and mold it to the highest good – God’s standard and expectation. Doing so doesn’t always release us from our childlike desires or even the tantrum we may throw before committing ourselves to what is right. When our will is at odds with the Lord’s, then we must live as though we have already changed.
How does that even work?
When the change we desire does not seem to come naturally, we must live (turn our thoughts, behavior, and speech) as if we already embody the change. When our natural thoughts and desires echo that we have permission, we can do it just one more time, or that it really isn’t hurting anybody, we must take the next step in the direction of what our changed self would do. This does not require agreeing with or liking the path of the highest good – since self-discipline is so painful at times – it simply requires action. I noticed when I took what Alcoholics Anonymous would call a “moral inventory” of myself that I was absolutely not living the values I proclaimed to hold. How could it be that I announced my values to be “holiness, integrity, wisdom, and self-respect” yet when I looked at my life it was full of compromise, excuse, instant gratification, and hedonism. I thought to myself, “how in the world am I going to get out from under this pile of garbage and change?”
I didn’t need years of therapy, I didn’t need a workshop, I didn’t even need my friends and family to stage an intervention. In that moment the Holy Spirit revealed my answer:
“Start living like you believe it.”
I wasn’t living like I believed in anything except getting through the day by whatever means necessary. I knew what the Truth was – is – but I continued to allow permission to behave otherwise. I want to say I immediately was released from my fleshly temptations and my life turned upside down in the best way and I’ve never looked back. The real story, however, is every day I woke up and made the decision to live as if I believed in the Truth and the change occurred over time. My flesh wanted what it wanted still, the temptation was unfortunately alive and well (even nowadays); but the decision I made was to make every behavior choice one that reflects the character I wanted, and even pretended, to embody.
Whether the decision you’re faced with is shaking an addiction, ceasing hateful behavior, beginning to practice patience, or starting a new habit, if you do not arrive at the place where every other alternative is dead to you then you must make the decision to live as though you believe in the outcome of your choice. Do not give yourself wiggle room to start tomorrow, start Monday, or start fresh next month. The fact that you’re wrestling is evidence that you do not approve of the way you are living life now. Liberate yourself from the bondage of doing what you’ve always done because you’ve always done it. Give yourself a better life by committing to the decision that you are what you believe.
You’ll thank yourself for it.
🎯 Final Call: Sporting Clay Tournament – Saturday, May 17th!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. This event wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible individuals and businesses who believe in our mission. Your support allows us to continue providing affordable, life-changing counseling to families and kids in our community and that means everything to us. Your generosity is the reason we can do what we do and we don’t take that for granted.
We were so excited to bring this event back, and the overwhelming support we received truly meant the world to us. Whether you came out to shoot, sponsored, donated to our raffle, or helped in any capacity, you played a vital role in making it all happen.
A heartfelt thank you to iPlumbKC, our presenting sponsor, for their continued commitment year after year. Their belief in us is instrumental in bringing events like this to life.
To Zarda BBQ, thank you for always showing up with amazing food and service. You help make every one of our events unforgettable.
We also want to thank The Giving Branch for stepping in with generous sponsorship and for believing in our cause—we look forward to building something lasting with you. And to JE Hefner Company, your ongoing support continues to help us expand our reach and impact.
We truly can’t wait to see how much this event grows next year. With your support, we’re building something that lasts.
Ready to stay involved?
Join us for our next event—our upcoming Golf Tournament!
Sign up today and help us keep this momentum going:
🎉 Registration is NOW OPEN for the 9th Annual Peace Partnership Golf Classic!📅 Thursday, September 25, 2025 | Adams Pointe Golf Club
We’re excited to welcome back Con Carpet once again as our Presenting Sponsor and officially kick off registration for our biggest event of the year—and we want YOU to be part of it!
Whether you're swinging a club, sponsoring a hole, or donating a raffle item, your involvement directly supports the life-changing counseling and mental health services we provide to children, families, and individuals who need it most.
⛳ Here’s how you can make a difference:
Sign up a team and enjoy a day of fun, food, and fundraising
Sponsor the event and put your business in front of a community that values generosity
Donate to our raffle or auction to help us raise critical funds
Invite friends and colleagues to join in on a meaningful, mission-driven day
💰 $700 per team | $175 per player
⏰ Check-in: 7:30 AM | Shotgun Start: 8:30 AM
🍳 Breakfast, lunch, beverages, and awards included
🎟 Contests, raffles, and a silent auction throughout the day!
This event sells out every year, so don’t wait! Rally your team and help us bring hope and healing through every swing.
👉 Register or sponsor today at www.peacecounseling.org📞 Questions? Contact Ashley Kirn at 816.716.1847 or ashley@peacecounseling.org
Let’s make this our most impactful year yet—we can’t wait to see you on the green!
Honoring the Generosity That Moves Our Mission Forward
As we welcome June—a season of warmth, renewal, and forward momentum—we pause with gratitude to reflect on the faithful generosity of those who partner with us. Your support is the steady force that allows families to find hope, healing, and lasting transformation. Every gift, sponsorship, and show of encouragement helps us reach further and love deeper.
We are deeply grateful for each of our May partners:
With sincere admiration, we honor Rick & Jan Britton with Jeremiah 924 Foundation. Your unwavering commitment from the very beginning continues to inspire and bless our mission.
A heartfelt thank-you to Chris & Kim Thiele for your generous gift in response to our Spring Report. Your thoughtfulness helps us meet real and pressing needs.
We are truly grateful to Jason Schram with A.L. Huber for your Sporting Clay Sponsorship. Your support of this event expands our ability to serve even more families across our community.
Welcome to our new Sporting Clay Team members: Dominic DeFeo, Levi Fields, and Judd Kirn! And welcome back to returning teams: Mike & Shannon Horsley and Dan Stark. Your involvement brings joy and momentum to an event that fuels life-changing work.
A special thank-you to Roger & Laura Neir with Con Carpet for your Presenting Golf Sponsorship. Your partnership plays a major role in the continued success of this meaningful event.
To all of our faithful monthly and recurring supporters — THANK YOU from our Peace Partnership team! – Stone AMP SEO, Jeff & Lacey Cherry, Zane & Melissa Morerod, Children’s Services Fund of Jackson County, Mark McDonald, Jondy & Heather Britton, Matt & Kristy Newton, Mark & Cathy McGaughey, Greg & Jennifer Spears, Roger & Jennifer Madsen, Metcalf Auto Plaza, Mike & Jan McGraw, Willie & Adia Valdes, Shelly Schuman, Mike & Carol Jackson, Blue Springs Christian Church, Linda Hartman, Dave & Rosie Bourland, Clean Heart Maids, Rudy & Stacy Blahnik, Mike & Tracy Pruitt, Clayton & Pam Wooldridge, Dan & Gigi Rippee, Andre & Rose Fantasma, Kevin Quinn, Genesis Counseling, Scott & Lydia Hurley, Jon & Naomi Thompson, John Otradovec, Lance & Mandi Pollard, Tamara Stroud, Rick & Kathy Daulton, Aaron Linn, Joel & Ruthie Morris, Church at Coffee Creek, John & Vicki Hefner, Jenny Glasgow, Denise Israel, Summit Springs Church, Phil & Jo Rydman, Brandon & Vanessa Blanchard, Jason & Val Schram, and Rick & Jan Britton.
Because of you, lives are being changed. Thank you for standing with us and making healing possible.
Would you like to tour our office or grab a coffee or meal together to hear more about our work in the community? Contact Naomi Thompson, our Director of Development, at: 816.272.0653 or naomi@peacecounseling.org. We want to get to know you and personally thank you for supporting our mission. To make a donation through our website, please click on the link below.
Have you or someone you know been helped by Peace Partnership or Genesis Counseling? If so, would you please consider paying it forward to help another find healing along their journey? We are asking anyone who is not currently partnering with us financially to consider donating $100/year for the next 3 years to help make a difference in someone else’s life. Collectively, we can help SO MANY PEOPLE! Please consider a gift today. Call the office for help getting your gift set up or choose a recurring donation on our website here. We are so grateful for your help changing lives!
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