Hope renewed.

Being a therapist sometimes feels like an unrewarding job, surprising as that may sound.  You deal with parents who want you to "fix" their kids.  You see dysfunction on a daily basis.  You have limited power to make changes in the lives of your clients.  You meet opposition and resistance from kids who don't want to be here; who think they don't have any problems; who want to hold on their pain and negative behavior because they think it's the only control they have.  Or worse, parents who don't realize and refuse to believe they are both part of the problem and the solution.  You are criticized when you don't produce immediate results.  You are bombarded with paperwork that is time-consuming and draining.  You don't receive as many "thanks" and as many encouragements as you might think.  Believe it or not, not everyone wants to be helped.  Yet, that is what I'm called to do...

Today a girl I have been seeing for almost two years; who I've watch self-destruct and have felt powerless and incapable of reaching, came to session ready to finally talk about the sexual abuse she has suffered at the hand of her uncle. I find it no coincidence that it happened on Good Friday. This is The Lord fighting to redeem her and I believe she will be healed. I know that there is still a long road ahead of her, but, Father,Your word says that You will finish Your good work in us.

I bless her with the truth of this verse:

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT)

Father THANK YOU for the light and the hope that you have shed today. Thank you for the heart and the skills you have given me to care for others. Thank you for the reminder of why you have called me to do this job. There is SO MUCH opposition from the enemy in this line of work, because the last thing Satan wants is for people to be freed and healed from the damage of this broken, fallen world. But, you, Father will not give up until every last sheep has been brought safely home. You bring us hope everlasting.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)