Calling all Counselors

I am on my way to the annual AACC (American Association of Christian Counselors) National Conference in Dallas Texas. I love this conference. I get to learn so much. I love touching base with my ministry partners. Everything about this conference fuels my passion to work with others who carry the same passion, to bring hope and healing through grief.

Experiencing the pain of grief can happen for many reasons. Whether it’s because of a separation or divorce or if you have lost a loved one, grief is painful and grief is complicated. As many of you know, I have personally experienced both types of grief. It is nothing I signed up for. It is nothing I was prepared for. But when I was faced with it, I had no other choice but to blaze a path through it.

One of the most important things to realize is that grief won’t ever just go away, you can’t just ignore it and hope it will disappear. You need to process it. You can’t just wake up one day and expect it to be gone. As uncomfortable as it may be, grieving your losses is a journey you must go through. The most important piece of advice is to allow God to hold you through it. Whether you had a relationship with Him prior to your grief experience or you are searching for Him now, He is there waiting for you to ask for help. He wants to hold you, help you and heal you. If you are trying to find God at this time of grief, I encourage you to reach out to a Christian friend or Pastor and they would be thrilled to walk you through the process. A real relationship with Christ is truly the only way to receive the complete healing God has for you. Believe me, I’m speaking from personal experience. There is no way I’d be who I am today without His love and comfort when I was at my lowest.

I would also encourage you to find a good Christian Counselor. These beautiful people really care and they want you to be a stronger and better you. They have tools to help you process your feelings, your losses, your decisions and help in discovering the new you.  The difference between a Christian Counselor and a secular counselor is huge. Our society in general does not know how to process grief and they end up running from it which allows the grief to control the decisions you make that may affect the rest of your life. Please seriously seek out a good Christian Counselor. Word of mouth is a great way to find a great confident. Call your pastor. Ask a friend. And once you find a good one, make sure you commit to the process.  And when you find one, spread the word. A great counselor is like a golden treasure.

There is no set formula to process grief.  It is an individual journey that is different for everyone. Invest in your healing and take the time to discover the new you, beyond the pain you are experiencing. I remember finding my counselor over 25 years ago when I was going through my divorce. She helped me find peace and joy again. And when my husband passed away she was the first one I called.  She literally saved my life and continues to be a lifeline I call onto whenever I need someone to talk to.  A counselor can be a friend that brings you to a deeper you, a you that is happy, healthy and wise. Give it a try today.

 

Blessings to you,

Krista Smith-Larson