New Perspective

January 2016 began a journey into the world of substance use counseling from a worldview perspective for me.  Since 1996 I had relied on the Holy Spirit in every way to guide and direct me through my ministry to women who had been trapped in what we call addiction.  My turn to the worldview was directed by the mystical forces God uses when He has something to show me and I am not too eager to see.

Just a little backstory: I was called to a ministry in a similar way as Abraham was called to leave his country and make a trip to Canaan.  He went without knowing where, or how, or even why.  He simply heard the call and started his journey. 

I have often said, “If I had known where and how God was leading, I might have stayed in my somewhat comfortable lifestyle of furniture and accessory sales.”  But I didn’t. I just followed.  The pathway then was obedience through practice.  The more I practiced the more I heard and was able to follow.  Sounds like it was overnight, but it was over twenty years.  The amazing thing is that God always directed how people would get help.

I was not easily accepted by the “world perspective on substance use counseling in the early days.” Methods like bold confrontation from a group of peers who were instructed to point out everything wrong with the person in the hot seat did not go over very well with me.  I refused to use this method.  Tear down to build up was another method I refused.

I started with the premise that “love never fails.”  Love, respect, personal involvement, and commitment all formed what I called the “Bethesda way.”

One client said she had no defense mechanism against love.  The flexibility of grace wore down the harsh self-centeredness that addiction had formed in her core.  Her iceberg of a heart was melted with appropriate love and respect.

Of course, I was misunderstood, rejected, and purposely shunned.  Yes, it hurt, but when I argued with God, He simply said, “will you let others change you from what I have made you to be?”   My answer was, “No.”

You can probably imagine the shock I felt when I received an email to take part in a training for state certification.  I was stunned by the email since I had not received an email from this company in over twelve years.  My heart leaped.  I wondered what is this?  Then I heard that still small voice say, “Do this.”

How crazy would this be, after twenty years of staunch refusal to amalgamate with the worldview that I would study in that venue.  Yet, I knew it was right.  And boy was it right.

Since that time, I have met some of the most amazing people from all walks of life who have a passion for helping others.  They may not wear the tag of Christian as the first part of their employment, but they wear the title in and on their hearts.  These amazing people work in a world of restraints.  Restraints from offering folks a truth about Jesus.  But nevertheless, they have somehow embodied the principles of the gospel into the work they do.  

Where once stern, harsh words powered the treatment field, now refreshing personal responsibility and personal encouragement are the norm.  The amazing truth is that when God wants to heal people, if the church won’t listen, He will give the truth to those who will.  Those who are listening happen to be out working for the good of others in a worldview perspective.

Three things that are refreshing in this worldview that mimic the healing power of Christ:

1.       Care.  Care about the individual and care for the individual.

2.       Respect.  Respect the individual and earn respect from the individual.

3.       Don’t give up on the individual no matter how long it takes.

Though the worldview does not give credit to Jesus for the “love and respect” it is giving to people who are getting healed, we, who recognize Jesus “out there” must join in the process of seeing folks healed through love.

Now I am a certified alcohol and drug counselor II which is state recognized, and I am a certified peer specialist in addiction. All this goes along with my board certification in pastoral counseling and my being a certified life coach from the Christian perspective.  Now I have joined the ranks of those “out there” and hopefully will be bringing more of the “out there’s”  to see it is the foundational principles that Jesus taught which lead to lasting healing. I am Forever changed.