It’s a lot easier to talk about the good things in life then it is to talk about the tough stuff. I was listening to a friend recently, they needed some “counseling” to help deal with some really tough stuff. I encouraged him to open up and share, out came the sorrow and pain and the tears. He shared and I listened, sometimes that’s the best counseling. When we learn to talk less and listen more, we play an integral part in someone’s recovery; we are seen as safe people, people you can count on, and people you can go to.

 

I’ve learned a lot in CR over the years but the most important thing I have learned is to love God and love people. There are times when we are the ones that need to open up, I know how important it is to have faith and safe people in my life, I wouldn’t be alive today without it. Bottling up negative emotions and hanging on to shame and guilt is a recipe for self-destruction. It’s hard to work through our hurts, hang-ups and habits, it can be painful but the pain we encounter in doing so is the kind of pain that leads to freedom.

 

If it is true that you are only as sick as your secrets then it is also true that the medicine we need is love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy. God sent his son Jesus to fulfill these spiritual truths among us and we in turn learn to share them with others in all we do. God hears all our prayers and if we slow down enough to listen to him, we will hear the answers.

 

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.” Philippians 4:6

 

God loves you, Jesus died for you, His spirit lives in you! Say Yes to Jesus!