Are you experiencing an awful day? Week? Year? God wants you to experience joy — yes, joy — in your crazy circumstances because He is so much BIGGER than them.
You and I endure days, months, even years when everything seems to go wrong.
My friend Sweetie told me of a crazy day when her washer overflowed her kitchen with bubbles on. . .
her wedding day.
We giggled as she divulged the wild details and drew a hilarious word picture.
Hot Hot Hot
A couple summers ago, my family zipped north fun in the sun, and my ancient minivan’s A/C decided enough is enough and belched hot air. The old Lucy would have grumbled, harrumphed. Loudly. The new Lucy — who like many of you has faced financial setbacks in this “new” economy — rolled with it. I put my hair in a pony, grabbed a cool water bottle, and read my Jodi Picoult novel as my hubby drove and the teens listened to tunes.
Overflowing bubbles on a wedding day and hot air on summer getaway are NOTHING compared to the grief you may face today. Joblessness, a lonely marriage, a teen on drugs, poor health. What do you need most?
A bible verse? Probably not.
A chicken casserole? Nah.
An “it’ll be okay” sentiment. No way.
What You Need
You need what Jesus needed. Someone to listen, to encourage. Jesus turned to his heavenly Father and spoke to him in prayer and listened . We can pray too, of course. Prayer is our lifeline of love.
Several years ago I completed my studies in Pastoral Care to Women at Western Seminary, Portland, Ore, and began counseling women at my church and in my community. When Skype came on the scene, I began counseling women via Skype too. I also received certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors.
The counseling I provide is biblical counseling. It is rooted in God, exalts Jesus Christ, is empowered by the Holy Spirit, and is loving and compassionate. God himself testifies to the effectiveness of counseling His Word:
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).
A Hellish Marriage Restored
A few years ago, I biblically counseled woman just days after she left her emotionally and spiritually abusive husband, taking her small children across country with her. A mutual friend called me and introduced us.
Scared and tired, “Shana” related a story of progressive emotional abuse, causing her to doubt her decisions regarding almost everything — her choice of clothes, hairstyle, family meals, and so on. Our mutual friend said that in college, Shana demonstrated great confidence in God and in making godly decisions. Her seminary-trained husband misused scripture to “put (her) in her place” and “demand obedience” from her.
As we got to know each other and as I heard more of her story, I encouraged and comforted Shana. Later we considered what God says to women who’ve been abused and to married women in general about marriages, the heart, and right living. We met eight times over three months.
God provided a godly man knowledgeable of abuse to counsel Shana’s husband, who had moved to her new town. While they lived separately, the husband continued counseling and repented of his sins against his wife, their children, and God. About a year later, the couple reunited and now experience a loving marriage that honors God.
Do You Want Help Too?
If you’re having “one of those days” or weeks or years, you probably need a godly friend to encourage you. Perhaps God has provided someone in your church to counsel you biblically. Maybe you do not attend a church and need someone to help ASAP. Feel free to check out my page on counseling on my website. I’d love to answer questions you have.
May our great God continue to bless you, as I know He will. Ephesians 1:3
With Joy Overflowing!
