Live Like You Believe It
- Jamie Cooke, LPC
- Apr 30
- 7 min read
“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!
Spots are almost full for our upcoming Sporting Clay Tournament at Powder Creek on May 17th — this is your final call to register! Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just in it for the fun, this is a powerful way to support a meaningful cause.
There’s still time to sign up a team, make a donation, or join us as a sponsor. We’re so grateful for your continued support — we couldn’t do this without you and are excited for our first year back!
🌟 Every shot you take helps change a life. Don’t miss your chance to be part of something special!
📅 Act now – time is running out!
📞 Contact Ashley Nicholas today: 816.716.1847 or 📧 ashley@peacecounseling.org
🔹 Sign up, sponsor, or donate today—let’s make this year the best yet! 💙🔫🎯
⛳ Now Live: Registration for the 9th Annual Golf Classic – September 25th!
📅 Event Details:
⛳ Thursday, September 25, 2025 (Rain or shine!)
💰 $700 per team | $175 per player
⏰ Check-in: 7:30 AM | Shotgun Start: 8:30 AM
🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Beverages, & Awards Ceremony
🎟 Silent Auction, Raffles, & Contests
We’re excited to officially kick off registration for our 9th Annual Peace Partnership Golf Classic, happening on Thursday, September 25th at the beautiful Adams Pointe Golf Club.
This highly anticipated event sells out every year, so we’re encouraging all past players, supporters, and sponsors to secure your spot before public registration opens soon.
Whether you’re signing up a team, sponsoring a hole, or making a donation, this tournament is a fun and impactful way to support our mission to bring hope and healing through counseling and education.
✅ Want us to hold your team’s spot?
Simply reply to this email, click the link below, or visit www.peacecounseling.org and we’ll make sure your group is in.
Thank you for continuing to stand with us — we can’t wait to see you on the green!
📞 Contact Ashley Nicholas at 816.716.1847 or ashley@peacecounseling.org for more information or click the link to sign up! 💙⛳
Celebrating the Generosity That Keeps Our Mission Thriving
As we step into May, a month that honors growth, gratitude, and fresh beginnings, we are filled with appreciation for those who continue to walk beside us. Your faithful support—through giving, sponsoring, and showing up—makes it possible for families to find healing, peace, and renewed hope. Every contribution helps us move forward with strength and purpose.
We are deeply grateful for each of our April partners:
With full hearts, we honor a remarkable group of faithful supporters—Scott & Lydia Hurley, Tamara Stroud, The Church at Coffee Creek, Brandon & Vanessa Blanchard, Jondy & Heather Britton, Clayton & Pam Wooldridge, Mike & Tracy Pruitt, Matt & Kristy Newton, Kevin Quinn, Rick & Jan Britton, Roger & Jennifer Madsen, John & Vicki Hefner, and Rick & Kathy Daulton—who have stood with us for 10 years! Your decade of dedication has touched countless lives, and we are in awe of your impact.
Our sincere thanks to JE Hefner Co and Hallam Insurance & Financial Services Inc. for your Sporting Clay Sponsorship. Your investment in this community event helps extend our reach to even more families in need.
A warm welcome to our new Sporting Clay Team Registrants: KC Dumpster Company, Paul Bearce, Simmons Gun Repair, and A.L. Huber General Contractor! We’re excited to have you on board. Your participation brings energy and generosity to a day that promises to be both meaningful and fun.
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, Teddy Koehler, Brandon & Vanessa Blanchard, Jason & Val Schram, and Rick & Jan Britton.
Together, your support is changing lives. Thank you for being an essential part of this mission.
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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