My friend Lynn Mosher asked me guest post at her website and share my passion for counseling hope to the hearts of Christian women. Like you, I’ve known heartache and healing, trials and triumph.

Are you struggling now? Contact me and get biblical hope and practical help.

Here’s part of the guest post on counseling.

A Favorite Bible Verse

What Scripture defines God’s purpose for your life?

It’s this one: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV).

The word comfort is used four times, and this is no accident. Our God is a God of comfort and compassion. This means a lot to me because I’ve known troubles:

Depression. . .Panic attacks. . .Dysfunctional home. . .Infertility. . .People-pleasing. . .A history of family alcoholism. . .Divorced and remarried parents. . .Recurring negative thoughts.

God comforted me in all my troubles, just as he promises in the verse. Now that I’ve received comfort, I give comfort. He spoke his purpose into my life and called me to counsel hurting Christian women using a very effective method: biblical counseling.

Counseling That Works

Which counseling do you prefer?

I counsel according to biblical truth while caring with compassionate. It’s sometimes called biblical counseling or pastoral counseling or soul care. As a counselor friend says, biblical counseling is not “here’s two verses and call me in the morning.” It’s comprehensive, compassionate, Christ-centered, and effective.

What do you mean by comprehensive?

I really get to know the women I counsel – their struggles, their hopes, where they’ve been and where they hope to go. I listen and give clear direction. Homework, too. I also use a Personal Data Inventory. This helps me know many things, including a need for a doctor’s visit.

What’s your stance on medication?

I support the use of medication prescribed by a medical doctor. Some people have organic medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, or diabetes and need medication to deal with symptoms that may look a lot like depression. Others have been described psychotropics such as SSRIs by their doctors. I discourage counselees to make changes in medication without talking first with their doctors.

In Person and By Skype?

Do you meet with your counselees in person or by Skype and other high-tech options?

Both. Some I meet face-to-face, but I counsel many counselees by Skype. With the explosion of technology, women who do not have a biblical counselor in their area can still receive hope and healing through Jesus. I’ve met many of my counselees through Twitter and Facebook.

What are the advantages to Skype counseling?

It’s highly affordable and convenient too; counselees don’t need to drive to an office. For some women, it’s more comfortable. Those who’d feel awkward or fearful in a face-to-face appointment are very willing to share over Skype.

What are the disadvantages to phone counseling?

The main one is I cannot read my counselees’ nonverbal communication. This is why I prefer counseling by Skype or FaceTime wherever possible. Women who don’t have Internet access have talked with me on their phones or tablets using free Internet at places like McDonalds, Starbucks, or their local library. For privacy some have counseled while in their cars and within range of Internet.

For More Information

If a woman is interested in finding out more, what should she do?

Contact me. You may feel alone or full of guilt and shame – maybe you’re scared. Be reassured: God loves you.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus said the most amazing and wonderful thing. Reading the words of the prophet Isaiah:

The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because he has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)

Are you want freedom from life’s troubles?

Hope has come: Jesus.

Counseling Hope to Your Heart,