Well if you follow my blog you will know that it has been a long time since I’ve written. When ANOTHER person mentioned to me today that I should write, I felt God tug at my heart. I love transparent people and think it is incredibly valuable when we can be real. The past two years for me has been hard. Actually it’s been one of the hardest times I’ve had in my entire spiritual journey. I was beginning to think that the “good times” I’ve had with the Lord were over to never return. I could not feel him and I was trying my best to hang onto hope. Was I still working/counseling? Yes. And that is the amazing part. I could still see God working through me and giving me insight for my clients. Wow, does my experience back up what I teach! The real you and me is who we are in our Spirit where Jesus resides. He has promised to NEVER leave us or forsake us.  AND HE CAN WORK THROUGH US when we ask him to work through us.

When we moved into our office the enemy turned up the heat. Past abuse started resurfacing, I tried to wean myself off of some crucial meds, my relationship with Tim began getting strained and other family issues were causing stress. I truly lost all of my passion and joy. I regularly cried out to God for direction. Should I give up the ministry and just go get a regular job? I NEVER felt a release from ministry but felt the very opposite.  At those times God would give a client incredible breakthroughs in the midst of my counsel. I believe he has a sense of humor and loves showing out at the most unlikely times.  You know there is a bible story where God spoke through a donkey. There is another verse that tells us NOTHING can thwart the purposes of God.

I’m happy to say that in the past month I have felt this dry season lift. And I am thrilled. I’m getting back my passion and I’m feeling joy. Why am I telling you this story? Because I believe my experience is also the experience of so many people in our world.

I’m not sure I can tell you why I was in this season for so long. I do believe the enemy was at war with me but I also believe there were some things going on physically in me. I often heard the accuser say to me, “Are you kidding me?!   YOU are trying to help couples when you are struggling yourself?!?!?!?!   Like I often tell my clients … when the enemy goes after someone in a relentless way, this lets me know one thing for sure. THEY ARE A THREAT TO THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS.  

YOU ARE A THREAT TO THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS!

One reason I believe we go through dry times is so we can truly empathize with someone else in that season. You can honestly forget how hard it is in this life when you have a prolonged season of Jesus bliss.  One of my major goals in our sessions is to give people hope. To help them hang onto Jesus and truth without giving up. Ya’ll life is hard! Relationships are hard! Being a christian does not exempt us from hard stuff or chemical imbalances that run in our families. BUT we ALWAYS have hope. We ALWAYS will have good days again because God promises us that HE is always there.  So hang on to Jesus but tell someone if you are struggling.  We need community to help us through these times.  I’m so thankful for my close friends who stood with me and prayed for me.  Scripture instructs us to “Comfort those with the comfort we received.”

The following words from a popular song (Do it again)  ministered to me in a huge way!  I hope they minister to you too.  Please remember you are not the only one struggling and please do not isolate.

 

Walking around these walls, I thought by now they’d fall.  But You have never failed me yet.  Waiting for change to come, Knowing the battle’s won, For You have never failed me yet.  Your promise still stands, Great is your faithfulness, your faithfulness,  I’m still in your hands, this is my confidence, You’ve never failed me yet.  I know the night won’t last,  Your Word will come to pass,  My heart will sing Your praise again.  Jesus, You’re still enough, Keep me within your love… I’ve seen You move, come move the mountains.  And I believe, I’ll see You do it again.  You made a way, where there was no way.  And I believe, I’ll see You do it again.

I did!  HE did!  And in time He will do it for you too.