[ Counseling Testimony ]
This year found many of us wondering what the Lord was doing in the world. Each of us were forced to reflect, examine, and question in ways we hadn’t imagined.
On a personal level, the pandemic was the least of my worries as I watched the landscape of my life crumble. My struggling marriage deteriorated. I’d become an empty nester having poured myself into raising six children and my job came to a complete stop as many experienced.
Little did I know that the Lord had a plan to teach me joy in the midst of suffering. And for me it was truly that for a season. All of my identity, self worth, and energies were wrapped neatly in this life I’d tried so desperately to sustain in my own strength for my entire life.
Experiencing severe abuse in childhood and being a lost teenager drug addicted and having been raised and influenced by a Christian cult, I worked hard at “the Christian life” which was wrought with a works-based mentality. This was mostly due to the parenting and conditional love I’d received, but also a carry over from religious upbringing.
When I first talked with Mark, I had layers that I’d worked with counselors for years that still remained fully intact. Not much had changed in 50+ years even though I’d diligently practiced breathing techniques, writing, exercises, CBT, medications, self-help, meditation, etc. You name it and I’ve done it. Nothing worked.
The Bible really does have the answers. God already gave us an abundance of wonderful wisdom for life, and for overcoming our life’s struggles. Therefore, Mark began to show me many truths in the Word which exposed the many lies I was taught and believed.
I also learned through God’s Word the truth about my identity in Christ, and that I can and need to relate to Jesus by faith, grace, and His finished work—and not by my goodness, my strength, or my performance. (I am literally having to daily remind myself of the guilt-based, fear-based Old Covenant thinking ingrained in me, and living in the New Covenant instead.) As a result, I’ve begun to experience a joy in my circumstances despite them not having changed for the better.
What has changed however, and on a daily basis, is my focus and more importantly, what the Lord has been able to change in my heart. The fruit of the Spirit has become more and more accessible through constant surrender of my will, and, at other times, out of obedience and adoration. Overall, I am witnessing a transformation that most counselors and psychologists say could not take place in a person who has experienced such trauma in life as I have.
Where there was no hope, Hope for Life has given me an abundance of hope—through the many truths of God’s Word—and opened a door for me to walk into my loving Father’s arms and be restored, redeemed, and renewed—just as His Word promises.
There are still days that are difficult, but I can truly say, in a world that is decaying, God is making all things new. I have a new strength and peace inside me as I learn to trust Him more and more. And Mark has, through Gods Word, taught me to identify and learn from my unwanted feelings and negative thoughts, and to respond with truth and grace, not condemnation and beating myself up. How quickly we can return to the Lord’s peace when recalling the truths and promises of His Word, especially Philippians 4:8!
Praying peace and blessing for Mark and his family, and all of you who will encounter the Lord’s love this season as we enjoy the sanctification process of our Savior.
— from a sister in Christ, who received biblical counseling through the ministry of Hope For Life
Hope For Life Biblical Counseling & Equipping is a non-profit ministry committed to providing no-cost biblical counseling to those in need, along with biblical equipping materials for the body of Christ, our local community, and worldwide through our online resources at Hope For Life and the HFL Shop
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