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Immerse yourself in biblical counseling and practical wisdom with the 20 Minute Christian Counselor podcast, hosted by Pastor Robb Oram. With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Robb brings together his pastoral knowledge and Christian counseling expertise to provide concise, faith-driven episodes designed to empower individuals, couples, and families in overcoming life's challenges and nurturing stronger relationships with God and one another. Each 20-minute episode is rich with valuabl ...
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3 Strategies to Improve Intimacy in Marriage
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21:35
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God designed the marriage relationship to be the most intimate of all. Yet, sometimes we don't feel the closeness and connection we'd like to experience with our spouses. In this episode, I offer three practical strategies you can begin to implement today, which I guarantee will help you grow closer and more connected to each other. Here are the ke…
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How is Fear Impacting My Life, and How Do I Deal With It?
21:59
21:59
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21:59
We all have our fears-we may not even be aware of some of them. They're impacting our lives more than we realize, and we tend to try to cope with them in unhelpful, unhealthy ways. In this episode, I share some healthy responses to fear, and explain how God can help us deal with it. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; …
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Is My Spouse Toxic? And If So, What Can I Do About It?
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23:38
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Marriage is challenging for all of us, because no spouse is perfect. But, some spouses are extremely difficult- even to the point of being "toxic." In this episode, I describe characteristics of a toxic spouse, and I offer some practical strategies to implement to help you cope in a very difficult situation. Some excerpts from the Bible describing …
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Why Am I So Tempted to Do Bad Things, and What Can I Do to Resist Doing Them?
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20:58
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Temptation is something we all deal with. What makes it so difficult? What can we do to avoid giving in to it? How can God help us? In this episode, I offer some answers to these critical questions. Jesus' challenge to do "whatever it takes" to avoid giving in to temptation can be found in Matthew 5:29-30. God's promise to get us out of any temptat…
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Why Do I Feel the Way I Do, Are My Feelings Right or Wrong, and What Do I Do with Them?
18:59
18:59
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Do you ever feel confused, ashamed, or frustrated about how you feel? Have you ever wondered why you feel a certain way? Are you struggling with how to deal with your emotions? Should you deny them, ignore them, or go with them? In this episode, I address the issue of what to do with our feelings, and how we can learn to manage them in a godly, bib…
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Why Am I Suffering, and How Can I Get Through it?
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22:00
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Have you been through a tough season of suffering? Are you experiencing significant suffering right now? In this episode, I wrestle with why we suffer, and share realities about suffering that can help us get through it. Some of the Scripture I reference in this episode: “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try y…
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Are you struggling with feelings of loneliness? All of us do. In this episode, I explain how, with God's help, you can not only cope with these feelings, but even allow Him to use them for good in your life. Some of the biblical references I use in this episode include: Psalm 31:1 (David's cry to the Lord) Matthew 27:46 (Jesus' cry to His Father) P…
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Why Do I Get So Angry, and What Can I Do to Stop Feeling This Way?
22:56
22:56
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What makes you mad? How do you handle your angry feelings? Is it sometimes OK to get angry? What does God say about anger? In this episode, I examine reasons we get angry, I discuss "righteous" vs. "unrighteous" anger, and I share some practical strategies to help you better manage your angry feelings. Some of the Scriptural references included in …
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Why Are the Holidays So Hard, and What Can I Do to Make Them More Enjoyable?
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22:40
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The holidays are often a difficult season for many of us. One in which we experience a variety of emotions. We can be torn between how we want to feel, what we think we should feel, and what we actually experience. In this episode, I examine some specific reasons why our holidays can be so difficult. I also present three intentional strategies we c…
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Why Am I Stuck? 5 Ways We Contribute to Our Own Problems
20:34
20:34
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Are you feeling stuck in an unhappy, unhealthy relationship that seems like it’s never going to get better? Do you sometimes feel no matter how hard you try, you can never change? In this episode, I examine five ways in which you might be contributing to your own problems, and I offer some practical suggestions for how, with God’s help, you can mov…
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One Critical Key to Emotional and Relational Health
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22:53
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What is the "secret" to being emotionally healthy? Why are some relationships better and more satisfying than others? How come some people are so much easier to get along with than others (and, vice-versa)? In this episode, I discuss the one essential factor I believe answers these questions. The bad news is not everyone has it; but, the good news …
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3 Things About Marriage I Wish I'd Learned Sooner
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20:53
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If you could go back in time and tell your younger self the 3 most important things you need to know about marriage, what would you say? In this episode, I reveal what I would say. Whether you're not yet married but someday hope to be, you're newly married, or you've been married for a long time, I believe these 3 truths can revolutionize your pers…
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Are you struggling with anxiety? Do you ever wonder why you're so anxious? Are you frustrated and discouraged because you can't seem to get over it? In this episode, Robb analyzes reasons why we experience anxiety, discusses what God, in His Word, says about anxiety, and shares several practical strategies to cope with it, including a surprising pe…
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Do you sometimes feel frustrated, embarrassed, or ashamed about things you say or do? Do you ever wonder why you do things you don't want to do, and why you seem unable to change? In this episode, Robb discusses one primary reason we say and do things we wish we didn't. He talks about how our pasts influence our present, and what that can look like…
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How Can I Cope with the Narcissist in my Life?
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23:57
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Are you in a relationship with, or married to, a narcissist? Are you looking for some help navigating this challenging relationship? In this episode, Robb shares a biblical perspective on narcissism, discusses common narcissistic behaviors, explains why narcissists behave the way they do, and provides six specific strategies you can begin to implem…
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How Can I, or Someone I Care About, Be Set Free from Pornography?
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26:59
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In this episode, Robb clarifies what pornography is, talks about the damage it can do in a person's life and relationships, and shares specific strategies you can take to begin to be set free from porn. He also addresses practical steps to take if you're involved with someone who is struggling with pornography. Notes from this episode: Jesus said l…
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How Can I Heal From Being Hurt by the Church?
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26:34
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In this episode, Robb examines why being hurt by the church is so painful; he discusses six specific ways in which we can be hurt by the church; and, he shares some practical steps to take to begin to heal from these wounds. Jesus' instructions on what to do when we feel someone has sinned against us can be found in Matthew 18:15-17. If you're inte…
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How Can I Heal from the Wounds from my Father?
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23:03
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In this episode, Robb talks about how our relationship with our earthly father impact us in several critical ways; how we can be hurt by our fathers; and how, with God's help, we can begin the process of healing from our "father wounds." For specific, practical steps to begin the forgiveness process, check our episode 10: "How Can I Forgive Someone…
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How Can I Forgive Someone Who's Really Hurt Me?
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24:01
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In this episode, Robb clarifies what forgiveness really means, shares why we need to forgive, and offers practical steps we can take to begin the process. Some Scriptural references from this episode include: “The wise see danger ahead and avoid it, but fools keep going and get into trouble.” (Proverbs 22:3) “For if you forgive men their trespasses…
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What Can We do to Have Healthy Relationships with our Parents and In-Laws as a Married Couple?
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In this episode, Robb defines boundaries, shares practical steps on how to develop boundaries as a couple, explains how to share your boundaries with your parents and in-laws, and addresses what to do when they won't abide by them. Relevant Scripture references in this episode: Genesis 2:24 ("leave and cleave") Mark 3:31-35 John 2:1-10 (wedding in …
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How Can I Tell if I'm Being Abused by My Spouse (and what can I do to stop it)?
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In this episode, Robb helps identify abusive behaviors in a marriage, discusses unhelpful ways of responding to them, and provides practical steps to take to end the abuse. Recommended resources: "Desperate Marriages" by Dr. Gary Chapman www.focusministries1.org National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-7233 Note: During this episode, I acciden…
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In this episode, Robb talks about the importance of trust in a marriage, and shares the attitudes and steps which must be taken in order to rebuild trust when it has been broken. If you're interested in learning more about me, or to schedule a counseling appointment (either in person, or remotely using Zoom), or to arrange a speaking engagement, re…
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In this episode, Robb shares the stages and tasks of heathy grieving, and provides some practical steps you can take right now to help you move through this challenging inevitability of life. If you're interested in learning more about me, or to schedule a counseling appointment (either in person, or remotely using Zoom), or to arrange a speaking e…
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In this episode, Robb wrestles with the difficult situation of being in an unhappy marriage, challenging common underlying misconceptions about marriage, and providing a helpful biblical perspective. If you're interested in learning more about me, or to schedule a counseling appointment (either in person, or remotely using Zoom), or to arrange a sp…
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In this episode, Robb discusses three critical aspects to parenting, and shares practical steps you can take to grow and improve as a parent. If you're interested in learning more about me, or to schedule a counseling appointment (either in person, or remotely using Zoom), or to arrange a speaking engagement, reach out to me at my website at www.ro…
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Why Does God Allow Bad Things to Happen to Good People?
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In this episode, Robb wrestles with this age-old question, challenging some underlying assumptions, and providing biblical responses. If you're interested in learning more about me, or to schedule a counseling appointment (either in person, or remotely using Zoom), or to arrange a speaking engagement, reach out to me at my website at www.robboram.c…
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In this episode, Robb discuss the challenges to having healthy self esteem, and provides practical steps towards restoring healthy self-image from a biblical foundation. If you're interested in learning more about me, or to schedule a counseling appointment (either in person, or remotely using Zoom), or to arrange a speaking engagement, reach out t…
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In this episode, Robb shares common barriers to marital communication and provides practical strategies to begin to implement immediately to improve it. If you're interested in learning more about me, or to schedule a counseling appointment (either in person, or remotely using Zoom), or to arrange a speaking engagement, reach out to me at my websit…
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