Christian Counseling & Educational Services

“I already pulled the files for the clients who are coming in today, Dr. Ann.�

“Thanks, Jane. So, who are we seeing today?�

“Well, we have a new client coming in this morning, but when I got his initial information over the phone, I had trouble determining the billing address. It seems his home was under siege, and his business completely wiped out. This guy really has problems! All 10 of his children were killed in a mass tragic accident, and now his own health is deteriorating. The only place he finds relief is on top of an ash heap.�

“Has he ever seen anyone for counseling before?� Ann asked.

“He told me that he was part of some group therapy session with three other guys,â€? Jane replied, “but it wasn’t really helpful to him at all.”

When the phone rang Wednesday I wasn’t prepared for the news I was about to hear. “I just called to tell you that Delphine passed away last night,� the voice said. My friend was nearly 80 years old so her death shouldn’t have come as such a shock, but it did. She hadn’t been well for years, but that never stopped her. She kept right on going and she loved life to the fullest. Her heart for the Lord and for others was always finding a way to do or say something kind. And her sense of humor kept me laughing.

On Valentine’s Day isn’t it fun to dig through a bag of those little candy hearts that have the words printed on them? They say cute little things like “SWEET�, “CUTE� or “HUG ME�. But the one that I like the best says, “YOU ARE MINE!�

Isaiah 43 gives a beautiful picture of God saying those exact words to His beloved children of Israel. Even though they had wondered away from Him and He had to discipline them, He declares, “Don’t be afraid! I made you and I will take care of you. You are mine!� Then, as their loving Father, He gives them the promise of His presence, His protection, and His provision through it all.

Recently a dear friend asked me, “Where was God when I was being abused? My mind is trying to figure this out as this seems to be a crucial part of trusting God.� Here is my reply to her:

The best answer I know to your question is that God was then where He always has been–on His throne in the heavens controlling the universe, but He was weeping for you and with you in your time of difficulty. God’s plan was never for one person to hurt another, especially a child, but because He gave man a choice, He stepped back to let man exercise his own free will. Sometimes that free will hurts another, but God is sufficient to nurture, help and heal the one who has been hurt. He longs to care for and caress the wounded spirit in ways that one who has never been hurt could never experience. In that case then, it is to our blessing that each of us has been hurt in some way, for each one of us has need of the Savior and Great Physician. It is only in our hurt and pain that we can feel His gentle arms of love around us and feel the warmth of His tears as they fall from His eyes.