April 26, 2019
What is it that causes someone to exhale with relief when finally given a diagnosis after many tests and doctor visits? Why do we feel almost joyous when we find someone who is going through the same thing in life as us? What is it that instantly makes the clouds lift and the colors bright again?
It’s hope.
The Struggle is Real
I have been struggling with low-grade depression and anxiety for 19 years now. Recently, it got so out of control I thought I was losing my mind.
I sat down with my pastor for 45 minutes and he showed me a better way to deal with it. Not only deal with it but change my brain! Was it a magic cure? Was I instantly healed? Nope, but he gave me hope.
Just a Glimmer
Let me tell ya, this glimmer of hope is better than any anti-depressant I’ve ever been on! There is still much work to be done but “I have this hope in the depth of my soul. Through the flood or the fire, You are with me and You won’t let go.”
Nouthetic Counseling
So, what is this hope-giving, better way? It’s called Nouthetic counseling. This is where one person personally gives counsel to another from the Scriptures. He does not confront him with his own ideas or the ideas of others. He limits his counsel strictly to that which may be found in the Bible, believing that-
All Scripture is breathed out by God and useful for teaching, for conviction, for correction and for disciplined training in righteousness in order to fit and fully equip the man from God for every good task. (2 Timothy 3:16,17)
The Nouthetic counselor believes that all that is needed to help another person love God and his neighbor as he should, as the verse above indicates, may be found in the Bible.
Apostolic Momma 