Finding The Way: Christian Counselling

Here is the testimony Billie- Lovette, who discovered Christian counselling and the impact it had on her life following years of depression, therapy and medication.

Guest Post

I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me; because HE is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore, my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol. Nor will you allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are
pleasures forever.

Psalm 16:7-11

In 2007 I had been diagnosed with a major depressive disorder and anxiety, but honestly, it was something that I had lived with for many years. I had allowed this disease to paralyse me. I had lived with the pain for so long that in some strange way, it had become my comfort zone, my safe place where I didn’t have to confront my past issues, my past disappointments, and mistakes. Yes, I was paralysed, afraid to address my past, and unable to move forward. It was easy for me to pretend that I was okay in front of the outside world, but I wasn’t okay, I was far from being okay, and as much as I wanted to stay in my safety zone, I was tired! No, I was exhausted! I was exhausted from hiding behind a fake smile. I was tired of waiting for the pain to magically disappear. I took the medications (sometimes) and I did the therapy.

I had seen so many different counselors that I lost count. Yes, I was tired, and as tired as I was, every week, sometimes up to three times a week, I got up and went to yet, another counselling session. Every time was the same for me, I would go, talk, cry, and go back home feeling the same, if not worse. I used to get a new counselor now and then, so I was not surprised when I was told that I had a new one. But this time was different. This counselor was different. Yes, the usual awkward small talk as we walked down the hall to the same office was different. There was a gentle calmness about her. And there was a peace in that room that I had never felt before. Yes, there was something different about this lady…
She was a Christian.

As I sat there talking and crying, I noticed that she was listening. She understood both the mental and spiritual battle I was going through.

For the next few months, through this Christian counselling, she helped me refocus on God’s love for me, and the more I focused on His passion, the more I was moving out of the way for Him to heal the emotions and pain that I had been feeling for so long.
Yes, it was time to turn on the lights and address that dust in the corner, DEPRESSION!
I thank GOD for giving us doctors and medications to help us in any illness that we may have to suffer through in this life, but the main ingredient for healing is GOD. Once I began to focus back on God’s faithfulness and reflect on all of the times in the past that He had brought me through, then I was able to release those emotions that were causing me to be depressed, and I was ready to rise above what I felt and walk-in who GOD created me to be.