Christian Counseling Durham, NC: Rock in a Weary Land
Me too! Your therapist struggles with depression too. Depression does not discriminate, it can come knocking on anyone’s door. Serving Jesus does not make you immune to life and sickness of our mortal bodies. Navigating depression doesn’t make you less faithful and it doesn’t make Christ, less God. God is still a rock in a weary land aka depression (for the context of this blog)! We don’t have to suffer alone. It’s time to use our natural resources and our spiritual resources. They do not have to be mutually exclusive. Perhaps therapy and/or medication might be just what the Great Physician ordered. Maybe working with me, a Black Therapist in Durham, NC, might be a fit for you if you are seeking Christian Counseling or simply want to work with someone who gets it. Christian Counseling in Durham, NC might be just the thing you need to start to get a glimpse of hope in that weary land called depression.
Finding an Anchor in Weary Times through Christian Counseling
A bit of a confession, I used to watch a lot of televangelists. While they are not necessarily of interest to this version of me, there are some things that I believe God used to equip me through some of their teachings. (Sidenote: find you a Holy Spirit-led, theologically sound space of worship). One of the things I once heard someone notable say was that we often ask “God why me?” when we go through hard things, but that perhaps we should ask, “Why not me?” Yes, you are a Christian, but that doesn’t mean you are exempt from life’s trials. There are many reasons for sickness and disease. One is that we are mortal. Not all sickness is caused by God, dare I say, I don’t believe that sickness is caused by God at all. There are instances in the Bible that we see certain plagues befall people because of the hand of the Lord, but I do not believe that this is God’s modus operandi. Still, I do believe that all things are God-used for “they that love God and are called according to his purpose,”(Romans 8:28). If you are experiencing depression, reaching out to a qualified professional might be the very thing you need to experience healing. While you are working towards your healing, take heart and know that Jesus is still a rock in a weary land. I’ve been assured of this in 3 ways:
Looking unto Jesus
Sometimes when we go through hard things our faith may be shaken. That’s normal and human, and you know what else? It’s totally okay. Just because you get afraid, worry, or doubt doesn’t make you any less Christian. You may be questioning if God's action is consistent with God’s character. Experiencing depression or anxiety might make you feel even more unsure if this Rock in a Weary Land can keep you. But let me tell you, I learned how to be kept by keeping my eyes fixed! Sometimes when we are depressed our brains can magnify the negative. That’s a biological wiring. It can be beneficial to the body to protect yourself against anymore bad. The problem is that sometimes we think bad things are coming when they are not, simply because we have had on our grey lenses so long that it’s hard to see anything else clearly. Keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus didn’t remove the pain(at least not immediately) but it did keep me anchored. It allowed me to exchange my gray-colored lens not for a rose-colored lens, but for a Christ-centered lens. I learned how to lean on and trust God’s presence even in the midst of my weary land. This does not mean you have to do that alone. I found hope in depression because I was anchored to the One that could keep me. But I also found that talking things out with God and others was so helpful. Sometimes I needed to practice letting my ears hear my mouth release biblical truth. This was my source of hope, and finding a qualified Christian Therapist helped me work on my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in a way that allowed me to be faithful to the Word I said I believed.
Remembering I’m Never Alone
Sometimes we think we are the only one and even when we don’t think that, we may still feel alone because folks are just not opening up and being real. But I’ve come to understand that we are never alone. It’s okay to hurt. It’s okay to have pain. It’s also okay to want to be free and healed. All of those things can be true all at once. As a Black therapist in Durham, NC I’m not naive or ignorant of the experience of black pain and suffering. Sometimes our depression is due to generational traumas. But have you ever wondered what it would look like to shift your lineage and start a wave of generational healing? No doubt it won’t be easy, but what if we use everything available to us to work towards it? Including Christian Counseling in Durham, NC. When I read the Bible I see so many people of faith navigating an array of real-life problems, challenges, and illnesses…even Jesus experienced the pain of humanity - that’s the bedrock of our faith - “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;” (Hebrews 4:15a KJV).
Going to a Christian Therapist
When I first started my therapeutic journey I wanted to ensure that my provider was a Christian. To be clear, God can use anyone and your provider does not need to be Christian to be helpful. However, for me, it was helpful to have someone who shared the same faith because it made me feel more understood and honestly there were just things that I had to spend far less time explaining. Ultimately, I knew the Holy Spirit would be in our midst and that’s something I seek wherever I go, not just in therapy. Maybe you too need a Christian therapist in Durham, NC to help you move out of depression or to manage your depression. You may be experiencing depression as a result of hormone changes associated with pregnancy or postpartum. If that’s you, finding a certified perinatal mental health specialist like myself, could be the right next step. Maybe there’s some other transition happening in your life, and you want to pursue Christian Counseling in Durham, NC, you are in just the right place.
Yes, you really can have Jesus and Christian Counseling
I hope this helps you understand that knowing God as your Source or Rock doesn’t mean that you have to suffer alone. God knows how to get us what we need. Even Elijah needed an angel to remind him to eat. While working with me, a black therapist in Durham, NC, may not be theophanic (read: I’m not an angel), I can help equip you with psychological tools and resources to work out your healing as you seek to live faithfully and care for the life God gave you. Contact me today for Christian Counseling in Durham, NC. I’d love to get you scheduled today so that you can begin your healing journey. May God set your feet upon a rock and give you a new song to sing. If you need a little assistance, then let me assist you through Christian Counseling which is accessible via telehealth wherever you are in North Carolina.
