Notice God

People usually come for counseling help when they have a hurt or discomfort; they want to make it go away. (Typically, this is also the same reason they start coming or come back to church!) They often see the cause of their pain as "this person" or "situation" that's currently in front of them, but the source is often rooted in a person or situation that is in their history, their past.

I follow pretty much the same format with everyone I meet with for counseling. While that might sound impersonal or formulaic, and while people are pretty predictable in nature, I love when I hear something I don't expect.     

After we reveal the core beliefs that have been driving their past or current behavior, I state in the process, "The problem is that all those beliefs that have defined your value, your worth, your significance, were defined when you were a child and then reinforced most of your life. They're not the truth about you.

The truth is that you matter to God. You could be a perfect Christian: pray all the time, read your Bible, feed the poor, and you don't have the power to increase God's love for you."

At this point, people usually nod their head in agreement. However, a person I met with recently didn't. So, I said, "You've heard that before, correct? Do you know that?"

They replied, "No. I've never heard it like that before. I've never heard that. It's pretty cool."

When it gets my attention -- it's where I see God. God injects himself into our stories to provide hope, a catalyst, a new perspective. Wherever there's something that's counterintuitive, not what you'd expect, notice. Acknowledge Jesus as Lord in it. 

Comments

[Debbie Wright]

I think the most empowering thing I learned from you and through God was that I really do matter and that my self worth and strength comes from God and only God! What was programed into me from my childhood was that I didn't matter, WOW that was so hard to believe that that was even possible but believe me When I say that I DO BELIEVE and we ALL do matter. We were made perfect in God's eyes and to know that has given me such self worth! Thank you God for giving us Kathy and working through her to help all of us who didn't know any better....

[Kathy Guy]

Thanks so much Debbie for your kind words...so glad you've been able to connect with thet truth about you!