Have
you been in a valley, a so called "dark night of the soul" that
seemed to go on and was relentless? My former pastor used to say “you’re either
in a storm, coming out of a storm, or heading into a storm." This life has
many seasons, some are fun, rewarding, exciting, and others are deeply painful,
confusing, and lonely. The enemy uses these to put us out of commission. It has
been said that discouragement is one of the sharpest tools used against Christ
followers. We are warned in scripture about these tactics and exhorted to be
alert.
We
also need comfort, care and support. It seems we have been taught the above
which is truth, yet most have left out that which ministers to the soul as well
as mind. We must put on the armor, we must tell ourselves the truth, yet it's
not all about what we do, it's about what He does, He holds us, shelters us,
and uses others to remove our aloneness. Remember Job's friends? When we are in
a pit of despair, grieving or feeling hopeless, we don't need to be given a
"spiritual pep talk," we need to know we are cared for, heard and
understood, then we might receive the truth given. Jesus understood this clearly
as he cared deeply for people.
So
let's choose to be the love of Christ, care for the hearts of people, not just
that they think right, that's out of order. Jesus loved on and accepted people
that gave him a platform to speak to their hearts and minds which then had
eternal ramifications. I believe part of what brings "joy in the
morning" is having people who care about us there in the "night"
who show us his love and walk through these times with us. It's our choice to
do likewise, it is messy and we may find we are blessed by giving to others in
this way as well as they are.
Blessings, Cheryl
Cheryl
Laurenza, MA, LPC, NCC
CPCS, ACS
The Refuge
Counseling Center, LLC
3211 South
Cherokee Lane
Suite 640
Woodstock, GA
30188
P: 678 693
2281
F: 888 971
3910
Cheryl@refugecounselingcenter.org
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