Daniel Sirstad
What Causes Trauma?
I’m sure there are multiple answers to what causes trauma. I will give you one for your consideration. Most people will experience trauma in their life. Trauma is preceded by tragedy. Whether it is a catastrophe, calamity, misfortune, disaster, or heartbreak, it is tragic. If we live long enough, tragedy will happen, and pain and…
Reactive Or Receptive?
Do you find yourself being more reactive or receptive? Most people are familiar with the amygdala. Or, at least, what the amygdala manages, which is the fight, flight or freeze sensory part of the brain. I understand most folks do not go through the day with this question being a top-of-mind priority. But, since you…
Two New Clinicians
Lana Lyman, MA Lana is a homeschooling mother of three and has been a wife to her husband for over 21 years. She has worked in ministry for 22 years and always has a heart for helping others. After suffering from the trauma of betrayal and the devastation of her husband’s addictions and working for…
2024 Updates
DayStar Ministries Since the inception of DayStar Ministries, I have been the sole clinical provider. During the past 15 years, I have been honored to help hundreds of individuals and couples move toward a place of healing. I have traveled to many churches, teaching seminars and preaching. Most people I have worked with have been…
Truth Will Prevail!
Truth will prevail! Isaiah 59:14: “Our courts oppose the righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth stumbles in the streets, and honesty has been outlawed. From their inception, the Israelites were a people who believed in one God and that it was He they should serve only. As time passed, memories faded, and generations gave way…
Three Layers of Maturity
Here are three layers of maturity: Dependence Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV): “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” How many of you trust God? Likely, you would all say you do and be right. To a point.…
Isolate Yourself from Isolation!
Isolate yourself from isolation. Some people were stir-crazy on the second day of the covid shutdown. It took weeks for others to start pacing the floor. Some people get majorly stressed if they go 24 hours without human interaction, while others get majorly stressed if they go eight hours without some solitude. Regardless of where…
Keep Brushing!
Keep brushing what? Well, for one, your teeth. Interestingly, some people only sporadically brush their teeth until the teeth start to hurt. Then, they get serious about brushing and flossing. But, by that time, it’s too late. A visit to the dentist is now inevitable. So, a trip or two or three to the dentist…
Trust Behavior Over Words!
What does it mean to trust behavior over words? Behavior trumps words. If someone tells you one thing, but their behavior does not coincide with their words, believe the behavior. Jesus told a story in Matthew 21:28-31 about a man with two sons. Dad asked the first son to go to work, and the son…
Responding to False Accusations!
Responding to False Accusations. It’s hard enough to respond to true accusations, let alone false ones. Whenever I hear, “Why did you…?” or, “How come you…?” etc., my invisible antenna goes wild, and the klaxon in my mind begins to scream. I’m under attack! The default response for many is to go into defense mode…
Forgiveness & Trust
Forgiveness & Trust Is it necessary to trust again after forgiveness has been given? We know that forgiveness of others is necessary so we may maintain forgiveness in our own lives, but does that mean we have to trust the one we have forgiven again? Several years ago, I asked an older minister this question.…
Is Anger Good or Bad?
It’s been said that anger is one of the most fundamental negative emotions. Just hearing the word, most of us immediately think of a negative experience we’ve had with it. We typically don’t like the word and often want to disguise anger by using other words such as annoyed, perturbed, aggravated, peeved, hurt, or frustrated. However, knowing that anger is not necessarily a negative emotion is helpful. Anger can have a very positive function. It’s how we express our anger that makes it negative or positive. God designed anger to have a positive function; we tend to misuse it most of the time. What does God say about this emotion? Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the…