“Where is my joy in the Lord? I go to church and feel distant from God even when others seem to be getting blessed. What is wrong with me? I fight depression daily. Why?” These are comments that come from my counselees. They have experienced a wonderful salvation in the Holy Ghost, but still fight depression. They struggle with feeling and accepting God’s love.
My counseling education combined with the knowledge of God’s Word enables me to ask the right questions that will help me understand why a person is fighting emotional pain. Salvation removes sin, but it does not remove life’s experiences, emotions and feelings. If a person is raised in any type of abusive environment, they can easily struggle with a distorted God concept. Abandonment, divorce, addictions, major losses and death – all create damaged emotions. Sexual abuse in childhood also creates deep painful feelings that do not go away.
Individuals live with their own interpretation about the facts of their life. The negative childhood emotions travel with them into adulthood. Healing comes when we replace our negative thinking with God’s truth! God’s love for us is not based on our performance. If we feel condemnation even though we have God the center of our lives, the devil is working hard to steal our Holy Ghost joy by negative thinking.
Brain scientists agree that how we think affects our brains. Negative thoughts and words create blackness in the brain. Positive words and thoughts light up the brain and make it grow new receptors. It was God who said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” My counseling helps people learn God’s interpretation about the facts of their life. I ask the question, “What is God’s truth?” God’s truth does not create death. He came to give us life more abundantly.
I provide nationwide counseling by phone/Skype – (636) 448-0121 for pastors and lay people. I love teaching the Word of God for churches and conferences sharing God’s truth for growth and healing spiritually, emotionally and relationally. If you are a ministry leader, call me and I will send you a teaching DVD.
Carol Clemans is an anointed teacher of God’s Word and a Certified Pastoral Counselor. Go to: www.carolclemans.org -bio, over 50 articles, teaching CD’s & DVD’s, book: GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE. Carol has been teaching the Bible for 50 years and counseling for 22 years.