Life is interesting. Just when you think you got it all figured out a new season comes. When I mentioned to my husband that I would be closing the doors to Finding Ground Counseling he was super supportive and asked one thing of me…to write about what I have learned throughout the last thirteen years of pastoral (biblical) counseling. So here we go…
People are not one size fits all. As humans, we are made in the image of God, “let us make man in our image and in our likeness” (Genesis 1:26). He knew us from before we were born, “Listen to me you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name” (Isaiah 49:1). “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14). He describes us, His creation, as good in Genesis when referencing the creation of man and woman. He makes us all unique and for a purpose, in the time that we were born, and in the place where we dwell (Acts 17:24-27). We all have our own sins, problems, issues, quirks, ideas, hobbies and so much more. Why? Because He created us with a purpose for our lives (Proverbs 19:21).
Understanding the uniqueness of each of His creations makes it impossible to use the same tools for everyone. Wait I take that back, there is only one tool or help that works for everyone, and that is Jesus.
The Bible has an answer to every problem brought to me by someone else or that I have experienced myself. This is not a crazy statement. Here are some examples. Depression has been addressed in the Bible multiple times. For instance, after being threatened by Jezebel in Kings 19, Elijah experiences a deep depression and even prays to the Lord to let him die. Jeremiah, in Jeremiah 20:14-18, cries out to God, lamenting his birth and the burden of calling. David’s depression arose after he sinned with Bathsheba, whose husband was killed in battle because David wanted her for himself. David’s Psalms are full of his lamenting, but Psalm 42:11 is a cry out because he is saddened to the depths of his soul. Finally, Jesus Himself expressed such intense grief and sorrow that He said “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death” (Mark14:34).
Each time in scripture, these men and the women who expressed feelings of depression did the same thing. Elijah calls on the Lord, so do Jeremiah, David, and Jesus. They humbly and completely surrender themselves to the Lord God through prayer and talking to the Maker of heaven and earth. Jesus cries out, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You! Take this cup from me! Yet not what I will, but what You will” (Mark 14:36). Not even the will of Jesus but of God’s will He asks for. Jesus knew how much He would have to suffer physically, emotionally, and even psychologically because He knew He could call down His angels and be spared, but He didn’t. He chose to die a horrible death for you and me!
He is the answer to every problem, be it depression, anxiety, obsession, marital issues, compulsions, ADHD, PTSD, complex PTSD, personality disorder, all of it.
Seeing the Lord work in and through people is the greatest honor in life. Counseling is difficult. To meet people where they are when their world has fallen apart is an honor. There is not enough schooling, books, or conferences you could attend to help you know how to handle the situations being brought to a counselor every day. One of the beautiful things about being a pastoral counselor is that I was never alone when answering questions, listening, or taking on the pain of those I was helping. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). This is who I called on to help me before and during the time a client would step inside. Everything I had learned from all the other sources were good, but there is nothing that can beat the Word of God.
True healing only came when my client surrendered all the pain, disappointment, fear, anxieties, thoughts, sorrow, and lives to Him. Yes, I would give tools, homework, suggestions, and other things to help them, but it was Jesus who changed them and made them whole.
Finally, I learned that God is faithful, always. I had had another counseling company before I got really ill and had to close it because I couldn’t remember things, drive, sit up without having seizures, or function at all. So I closed that business, we moved to the big city, and I went to the Mayo Clinic. After months of appointments, they diagnosed me, and throughout the years, I recovered and started Finding Ground Counseling because He is my firm foundation. He faithfully restored what I had lost, both ministry and physically. The past few years have been humbling because I worked with women whose lives went from upside down to thriving and fulfilling all because of Him. I still deal with my own things, but I can positively say the Lord is and always will be faithful in everything. What I see as a roadblock, He makes a way. Just like He did with Moses and the Israelites, He makes a way for you and for me.
If I could sum it all up, remember that He is the Savior, you and I are not. We can not fix people or solve all the problems of life; only He can. If we end up trying to do just that, what do you think will happen? Burnout, a roadblock to their surrendering to God or a life of intense stress.
Thank you to all of you who supported this ministry and all of you who allowed me to help them find their ground. God is so good.
“On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand”.
Finding Ground Counseling 
One response to “Finding Ground”
Very well written and very genuine, from the heart as always. You always made me feel as a person and not as a “client”. You always showed sincere concern and kindness. I have thanked God many times, and still do, for creating you and for all that you do.
LikeLike