Should we desire suffering?

Too often we make avoiding any suffering the goal of life. Children complain when asked to stop watching television and set the table. The “suffering” involved is too great a sacrifice in their opinion. Husbands sometimes find the effort required for loving to their wives to be too great a sacrifice. In each of these examples the “suffering” involved is obviously good and right, it’s what God would want us to do, but it is also real suffering.

Following Christ and living righteously involves suffering. Jesus says it will be a daily experience. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” Luke 9:23

Self-denial involves suffering and is an important part of following Christ.

If we are honest about being sinners, we will have to admit that sometimes we love sin and want to walk in it. If we are to say no to our sinful desires, we will have to embrace suffering… it hurts to change. We will have to see suffering and change as good for us; a right choice to make.

Our tendency to avoid suffering at all costs puts us in opposition to God. Jesus said, “If your right hand offends you, cut it off.” Matthew 5:30

Suffering to be righteous is a good thing. Let’s seek God’s grace to understand this perspective and to live by it.

The Good of Suffering

The Cross of Jesus Christ dignified suffering, gave it meaning, and showed that it can accomplish much good.

God is not wrong to call us to share in the sufferings of Christ. Rather, He is blessing us, if we have the eyes to see it. The apostle Paul saw it as such and prayed, “that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;” Phil. 3:10 Rest in the knowledge that the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings is a place of great blessing and joy.

There is a spiritual fellowship with God in times of suffering. We draw near to Him and find a sweet closeness unlike other times. 

Psalm 119:71 “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.”

Suffering is a unique teacher, as Peter instructs us: “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10

Peter tells us that through suffering God will:

• Perfect us, or advance our sanctification
• Confirm our relationship with Him, or comfort our souls with security of salvation
• Strengthen and establish us, meaning that instead of trials, pain and suffering weakening us, beating us down, God actually uses such times to strengthen us.

God’s ways are not always our ways. He has explained Himself to us. May we live in His grace, giving thanks for the trials and suffering He is pleased to have us experience.

I have found a very common problem that causes a lot of difficulties in relationships. It is the difficulty some people have in admitting their wrongs.

There are several reasons people have this problem, but I find that most often it is because they have not thought through the difference between shame and humiliation.

Shame is good. Humiliation is bad.

Yet both shame and humiliation hurt. Shame is good in that it is a proper response to having done something wrong. Most of our mothers have told us, “You should be ashamed of yourself.” — teaching us that we should feel badly because we did something wrong. Shame is an important part of repentance. We talk about the difference between someone being sorry they got caught and being sorry that they did a bad thing. Shame is the difference. When I have sinned, I should ask God to give me a sense of shame and sorrow so that I will not want to do that thing again.

Shame is the awareness that my own choices have made me worthy of punishment. Shame is good because it agrees with God’s Word. Shame hurts because it points out my wrong and my responsibility for it.

Humiliation is different; it is always bad. Humiliation is something others do to us. It is to be ridiculed or disgraced. The kid who strikes out in baseball and is made fun of for it knows what humiliation is. He did not do anything wrong, but he is treated like he did.  His hand/eye coordination is not as good as some others, but there is no wrong in that.  The kid with a speech impediment or a birth mark knows all about humiliation.

Humiliation is not just a feeling; it is a devaluing of our being created in the image of God. We all have tasted of it, and it is so bitter that we never want to have to taste it again.

The problem is that humiliation and shame tend to feel much alike. Many people have not learned to make the distinction between shame and humiliation. Therefore, when it is time for them to admit a wrong, they become very defensive or pull away and refuse to even talk. From their perspective, we are asking them to humiliate themselves and they refuse to go there. In fact, they become upset with us because we are trying to humiliate them. We become upset with them because they refuse to take responsibility for their actions. An argument takes place, and everyone says things they should not. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Are you somebody who has a hard time admitting when you’re wrong? If you aren’t sure, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Are you often slow to say you are sorry?
2. Do others normally take the lead in fixing relationship problems when they arise?
3. When told that you have done something wrong, do you tend to get defensive?
4. When was the last time you went first in saying you were sorry?
5. Do problems get avoided instead of addressed because trying to address them only leads to arguments?

Answering yes to these questions or not being able to remember the last time you went first in saying you were sorry would tend to indicate that you are confusing shame and humiliation.

Whenever you feel as though you are being humiliated or wronged, pause to reflect on whether you are being humiliated or called out on something you ought to take responsibility for.

• Remember, shame and humiliation feel very much alike. It is wise and good for us to feel shame when we have sinned or hurt another person.
• Remember, we do not have to have intended to do wrong in order to actually do wrong.  When we hurt someone by an oversight, we have still been wrong and when it is brought to our attention it should matter to us.

How to walk this out:

• Talk to your spouse or children. Explain that you are not trying to humiliate them, but you are asking them to take responsibility for their actions.
• Show respect when you bring up a wrong. If you are presenting wrongs out of frustration or anger, it will seem like you are just trying to humiliate.
• Pray and ask God for help in learning how to accept shame and how to find comfort in the grace of Jesus Christ.

The Law of God has its place. It gives us knowledge and direction, but not power. The love of God in Christ is able to capture our hearts and minds, motivating us to obedience.

I met with a young lady recently who was wrestling with a drinking problem. After our first meeting, she expressed surprise, “I thought you would read all the passages in the Bible that condemned drunkenness, but you didn’t”. I saw a couple; the husband, who had just ended an affair, also expressed his expectation that I would read many of the biblical passages referring to adultery, but I did not.

It is not that I am against the law; it is just that I understand the limitations of the law. Law cannot give life; law cannot renew a heart. The apostle Paul explained it this way, “For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did; sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3). In both cases, the people came from good churches. They came to see me because they knew the law and they knew they were guilty of sin. Yet, both told me that many others who had addressed them regarding their sins had focused upon the law. The focus upon the Law had increased their sense of guilt and shame, but it had not helped them change.

That is a large part of the “weakness” of the law. The law can condemn us, but it cannot change us. Another man sat across from me; he had recently been caught in an affair, for the fourth time in 10 years. He expressed great sadness, “Why do I do this, I know it is wrong, I know how much it hurts my wife and family? I promise myself it will never happen again, but here I am. What is wrong with me?” 

There are numerous answers to his questions, but in this case I focused upon his lack of a relationship with the Lord. He was from a good church; he had lots of good theology, plenty of knowledge of the Bible. But he lacked any motivation to keep the law, he lacked love for Christ. He claimed to be a believer, and despite his sin I did not question that. But, even if his faith was real, his walk with the Lord was just on the surface. He went to church twice on Sunday, prayed at meals and had devotions with his family. But as soon as those activities were over, he forgot all about God. He did not have much of a sense of thankfulness or joy (I Thessalonians 5:16-19). He did not have a sense of wonder or worship for all the work of Christ on his behalf (Ephesians 1:3-23).

For each of these counselees, the Law of God was just a list of rules that were good and right, but there was little reason to be committed to them. They wanted to be committed to them, but found that temptation could easily overcome their level of commitment.

To make a point, I asked “Jim” to loan me $500.00. He said he was unsure about that. I asked him why he was unsure and he said he did not know me well enough. So, I asked him who he would loan money to. His answer involved people he was close to: family, close friends. I used this to point out that he was right. Loaning me money would not be appropriate. Why should he make that kind of sacrifice for me? We barely knew each other. And it also pointed out why he was not keeping God’s Law, even though he agreed with it. He did not have a close enough relationship with the Lord to care enough about the Law.

In Romans 8, after pointing out the weakness of the Law, Paul goes on to point out the glory of God and His love for us in Christ. The strength of the Law is in the love of God in Christ; “He who did not spare His own son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?  God is the one who justifies;” (Romans 8:32-33).

The Law of God has its place. It gives us knowledge and direction, but not power. The love of God in Christ is able to capture our hearts and minds, motivating us to obedience. When we confront sin in our own lives or the lives of others, we have to keep a wise balance. Presenting God’s Law has an important place, but it will not bear fruit apart of the grace of God in Christ. Galatians 6:1-2.

Labels are useful things. With a label we identify things with just one word. Instead of saying, “You know, that thing with four wheels that we use to go places”. I can just say, car. Medical labels are useful, instead of having to describe all my symptoms I can just say I have shingles.

But sometimes labels are harmful. Particularly psychological labels. This is because once someone receives a psychological label, they tend to try to live up to it (or down to it). Psychological labels are often used as an excuse to continue to behave in ways that hurt the person or others.

I have worked with a lot of young people who are labeled as ADD or ADHD. They understand the label as saying they have limits, they cannot overcome. It just means that some parts of life are harder for them than they are for some other people. The label is intended to help us understand how life works for me because that understanding will help me be successful in life. But often people surrender to the label and work toward what the label says they should be.

Depression is another frequent label that does a lot of harm. I would say that most of the people I meet with who present as being depressed are not really depressed. Sometimes they are grieving, and because of the circumstances of their life they should be grieving. Life for them will be harder for a while. They have suffered a great loss and they feel it. But the way we respond to grief is different than for depression. It’s important we take the time to understand what’s really going on, so we can seek out the correct response and support.

Other times people who think they are depressed are just stressed and trying to keep too many balls in the air for too long. Mothers of young children often find themselves in this situation. They think they are a failure which only contributes to the problem. But the answers for stress are different than the answers for depression. (Businessmen and women also have this problem.)

We have been taught to use the label “depression” to cover too many of life’s situations. Grief, stress, discouragement, confusion, setbacks in life and other life situations are labeled “depression”. It is not a useful label in these situations.

If you have a label, be aware of the human tendency to allow labels to define us. Just because someone labeled you as stupid does not mean that you are stupid. Labels are useful when they help us handle life more successfully. Labels are harmful when they make life harder.

Are the labels of your life helping or hurting your ability to be successful in life? If your labels are hurting, counseling can help.

Telling others information about someone else that is not uplifting is often sin. When the person we are telling has no need of such information it is just gossip and slander, even if the information is true. We are called to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Truth that needlessly tears down others is not a loving truth. We are called to bear one another’s burdens, not to expose each other’s sin, foolishness, or shame.

A rule to live by: If you would not say it if the person were present, do not say it.

“You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:16

“You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son.” Psalm 50:20

“He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.” Proverbs 11:13

“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.” Proverbs 20:19

Dive Deeper:

1. What was the punishment for making false accusations?  Deuteronomy 19:16-21
2. What will telling bad things about people accomplish?  Proverbs 25:23; 17:9
3. What will keeping information to ourselves accomplish?  Proverbs 26:20
4. What makes gossip so attractive?  Proverbs 26:22
5. What does it say about us if we tell things better kept to ourselves?  Proverbs 16:28; 10:18
6. What does the Lord think about people who tell secrets and cause trouble among people?  Proverbs 6:16-19
7. What does Psalm 15:1-3 have to say about how we should protect each other’s reputation?
8. Look up the following passages and summarize what they teach about slander and gossip:
   1. 1 Peter 3:10
   2. Titus 3:1-8
   3. 1 Timothy 5:11-13
   4. 1 Timothy 3:11
   5. Luke 6:45
   6. Matthew 12:36
   7. Proverbs 15:28
   8. Proverbs 16:27
   9. Proverbs 17:4
   10. Proverbs 17:20
   11. Proverbs 19:1
   12. Proverbs 12:13
   13. Proverbs 13:3
   14. Proverbs 10:19
   15. Proverbs 4:24

Question: I just caught my teenage son viewing pornography on the internet, what should I do?

Answer: This problem is difficult for several reasons. One is that we are not comfortable with questions of a sexual nature. Parents do not like to see their children as sexual beings, and children do not like to see their parents as sexual beings. Yet God himself is the one who created our sexuality, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) When we find our children being interested in sexual issues it often makes us uncomfortable. We often feel embarrassed to even talk about this part of life with our children.

I recently received another phone call regarding this problem. The parent was quite upset and worried. I asked, “Are you surprised that your teenage son is interested in sexual things?” “Well, no, I guess not,” was the answer. I responded that I would be surprised if their teenager was not interested in sexual issues, all teenagers are, and should be. It is part of God’s plan. I am not saying that viewing pornography is a moral way to pursue this part of life. I am saying that God has created us to be sexual beings and understanding our sexuality is a normal part of growing up. As sinners, fallen people, most of us grow into our sexuality with some sin involved. As a parent, I will not accept sin as “normal” but I expect it and try to be wise in how I address it.

We Have a Problem, not a Crisis.

What I was trying to communicate is that the parent had a problem, not a crisis or a catastrophe. A common mistake parents make is to respond to the problem out of fear or shame. If parents use such teaching moments to yell at their son, to shame him, they will not accomplish their goal. When we treat another person in a disrespectful manner, they don’t respond by seeing their wrongdoing, but rather to see us as wrong; they focus on us being “jerks”. This does not convince our children of their need to change but convinces them of the need to do a better job of hiding their deeds.

“I don’t understand it. This is the third time I have caught him. I told him I would not put up with this. I told him how wicked this is. He says that I embarrass him by talking about it to others, which I hoped would shame him into stopping. But he still does it. What am I supposed to do?”     

 That parent was reacting out of her embarrassment, out of her fears. It did not focus her son on his sin. It focused her son on her sin. We are called to speak the truth in love, Ephesians 4:15 “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ.” Do you understand what this verse is teaching us? When we speak the truth in love, we help others grow in Christ. The opposite is also true. When we speak the truth without love, we cause people to stumble.

When we catch our children doing wrong, we want to keep the focus on their wrong.  When we react out of fear, shame, and anger, we switch their focus to our own sin.

A Plan of Action
Common questions I ask parents when they call for help in this area.

1. What kind of sex education have you given your child?

Often the parents have not done as much as they should.  Rather, they are more concerned that giving such information will only encourage interest in a subject they would like to contain. Upon talking, I help them understand that we will not be able to contain our children’s interest in their sexuality, because it is part of our created being.  Our children will have questions and they will seek information. If we do not provide it in a moral way, we leave them open to the many immoral outlets the world provides. I recommend the Concordia Publishing House, ‘Learning About Sex’ series. They offer a series of age-appropriate books for children aged three and up.

2. What kind of accountability or limits do you have on technological devices?

Our children will be tempted. If giving into temptation is as easy as a mouse click, it is too easy. Put some filters on any devices you and your children have, including phones, computers, tablets, and televisions. I am not assuming the worst about your children. I am being realistic.

3. Talk about the problem.

This is the hardest. Sometimes I have a father and son come in for a meeting. It is often easier to break the ice with a third party. We look at what the Bible teaches us about this part of life and talk about how easy it can be to sin in the private areas of life. My talking models for Dad how to do it. Junior finds that it can be respectful and helpful to talk about the hard parts of life. Other time parents are ready to take it on themselves but do know that it’s not a one-time conversation.

Helping our children learn from their mistakes, from their sin, is what parents are supposed to do. God gives us teaching moments; often it is when we catch our children doing something wrong. Ask God for wisdom, He will help you, and don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our trained counselors for additional support and direction.

We are seeing a growing number of cases where young people are confused or no longer satisfied with their gender.  Boys who think they should be girls; or girls who think they should be boys.  Or in some cases confused young people who think they should be one of the recently invented genders.

As Christians there is no need to be confused.  God only created males and females.  Genesis 1:27 “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

Both genders are created in the image of God himself.  It is a great honor and privilege to be a female or a male.  It really is basic science; the genitals of males and females are different from one another (there are other difference, but these are the most obvious).  I remember when I was eight years old watching our pet dog give birth.  As each puppy was born, I was excited to see if it was a boy or a girl.  Two were male, three were female.  Even as an 8-year-old I could tell the difference.

The Bible tells us that God Himself is responsible for our gender. Psalm 139:13 “For You formed my inwards parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.”

If it is so simple, why so much confusion?  It is just the latest attack upon truth.  If God says it is so, the World the Devil and the Flesh will fight against it.  The young people I have spoken with can give no reason for the confusion.  It is just a feeling (the flesh making them uncomfortable with the truth).  They are reluctant to talk about it because it makes no sense and cannot be defended.  This “new” problem is not very different from other common problems our young people face.  “Sex will bless me and make me happy, solve my problems”.  Or instead of sex; alcohol, drugs, laziness, material things, the list is a long one.  We who are older may think it strange to be confused about one’s gender.  Yet, if we are honest when we were young, we knew what God said, but lived otherwise, allowing ourselves to believe a lie.

It is just the latest attempt to define ourselves.  “God does not have the right to define me.  I am independent from God and everyone else.  I am the only one with the right to define who I am.  So, I can be another gender if I want to be.”  God is patience with our foolishness, for a time.

What are we to do to help our young people struggling to rightly understand themselves? 

1. Someone is introducing these ideas, grooming them toward this lifestyle. Find out where these influences are coming from and stop it.
2. Take your child seriously, it is very important to them. I know it is difficult to take something so silly seriously but if you don’t you will send the message that you do not love them or that you think they are stupid. Your child may be confused or being misled but he is not stupid.
3. Do not treat it lightly, a phase that will soon pass. Scripture warns us that denying truth is very serious.  Romans 1:18-19 ¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.
4. Study up on the topic. It is much more complicated than I have space to cover here. It is presented in a cunning manner, with a lot of “expert” testimony.  The basic argument is that our sex (genitals we were born with) is different from our gender (which can take many forms). This is pagan thinking, refusing to allow God to define His own creation.

Five things couples do that hurt their marriage

Distancing and divorce don’t happen overnight but result from many small miss-steps. There is hope! Let us help you get unstuck and encounter a reinvigorated marriage!

1. Couples allow problems to go unresolved

Every time we allow a problem to go unresolved, we put a little more distance between each other. She says he is too harsh with the children. He says she lets the kids walk all over her. Either they are both wrong or one of them is right. Allowing such differences to remain in the relationship only leads to more problems. If you can’t resolve a problem between the two of you, seek help. Our job as your counselor is not to make decisions for you, but to help you learn how to get unstuck and move forward.

2. Couples quit having fun together

When you were dating and first getting to know each other, you had a lot of fun! Now, your life mainly consists of responsibilities. Your conversations are centered around tasks and problems, you have little time for or with each other, and you’ve forgotten how to “date” like you once did. This is not how you thought it would be. But you are stuck. Sometimes we need help getting unstuck.

3. Couples vent to each other without solving any problems

You have drifted apart. You both resent the other. There are too many unresolved differences, and you can no longer talk through a problem. When one of you brings up an issue, the other one brings up issues they want to talk about. You both express your hurts and frustrations, which the other one does not acknowledge. You avoid interacting because it does not go well. You are stuck and you need help.

4. Couples focus on relations outside of each other

Because your relationship is not working very well, the husband finds his work to be more rewarding and focuses on that. The wife builds relationships with her children, often becoming more of a friend than a parent. Forces are building to push you toward a divorce.

5. Couples accept their relationship growing more distant

Couples make peace with a non-marriage marriage; a relationship that is formally a relationship but does not work on the practical day-to-day level. They make do for the sake of their children or because they do not believe in divorce. The irony is that their relationship looks like a practical divorce without the formality. If this sounds familiar, you need help.

THE GOOD NEWS

You love each other, and your marriage can be fixed. How do I know that?

You are still together, and the poor state of your marriage matters to you.

You vowed to love ‘till death do us part’. Vows matter to you.

And most importantly, God is active in your life. He wants you to love your spouse and is working in your heart toward that end.

If your marriage is hurting, please give us a call. Whether you need guidance learning how to date again, working through unresolved problems, or seeking reconciliation after years of drifting, we can help!

Sometimes our thoughts get the better of us.  Some people get stuck on certain thoughts, or memories that haunt them.  Others are plagued with anxious thoughts that are very vague and non-specific, but will not allow them to sleep or to find peace.  God cares about your thoughts and will give you greater control over your thoughts.

The Bible has a lot to say about our thoughts!

II Corinthians 10:5, “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

I find a lot of comfort in this passage.  Jesus told us that if we ask anything in His name, that is according to the will of God, it will be granted to us!  Here we are told that it is God’s will for us to be in control of our thoughts.  Certainly, He will bless us if we seek his help.

I must be honest with you.  Learning to control your thoughts is not easy.  It requires a lot of work. But being able to experience the peace of God is worth a lot of work.  Being able to calm our thoughts and enjoy a good night’s sleep is a great blessing.

Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I have, at times, found this passage to be annoying.  The command, “Be anxious for nothing”, sometimes seems beyond my ability.  Easy to say; extremely hard to actually do.  But when I studied this passage, I found it is more of a promise than a command.  In Christ it is possible to put anxiety aside, it is possible to find peace.  Oh, the enemies of our soul – the world, the flesh, and the devil – will work very hard to keep our hearts trapped in anxiety, to rob us of our birthright – the peace of God.  But it is a battle we can win.

If you wrestle with this problem, please give us a call.  Allow us to help you find God’s answers to the anxiety, worry, and thoughts that control you.

Remember Jesus’ promise to us, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”  John 14:27

We all try to avoid trouble, but of course that is impossible. The Scriptures tell us “Man is born for trouble as sparks fly upwards” (Job 5:7). By God’s grace most of us do not face the troubles of life every day, but some do.  Yet no matter how blessed your life may be, you will face times of trouble.

Perhaps we can categorize the troubles of life.  Health, financial, relationship and spiritual (which is a relationship problem with God) seem to cover most of the troubles of life.  Many times, when the troubles of life come, we panic.  We must respond to this change in our life.  But when we panic, we make bad decisions that make the troubles worse. This is where counseling can be especially useful.  In times of trouble counseling can help us calm down, make wise decisions, and often shorten the length of our troubled time.  Often just one or two counseling sessions helps bring things into perspective and set a path forward.

When troubles strike it often seems that God has forsaken us. We all know this is not true, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). But when troubles come, we panic, and our emotions speak lies that are hard to ignore.  How we feel and what we believe often do not agree with each other.  Counseling is particularly useful at such times.  Talking about our feelings can be difficult, we are often confused about them ourselves.  During our trouble, we need a safe place to be honest with ourselves and to become more self-aware.  What are my emotional responses?  What does my faith have to say to me about my trouble?  How do I avoid being controlled by my emotional response, this trouble is overwhelming?

I have often talked with people who have mislabeled the emotions they are experiencing.  The problem with this is if we mislabel an emotion, we will not respond to it correctly.  Sometimes people will tell me they feel guilty.  Yet, when I ask them what they have done that was wrong they do not have an answer for me.  They were not feeling guilty, they were experiencing regret.  They were sad about a trouble they or a loved one was experiencing.  As we discussed this it became clear that having regret, feeling sad that a loved one must go through a trial is a good thing.  It may not be a pleasant experience, but compassion is godly. Understanding this brings great relief. “My response is a godly response, not something I should be ashamed of or see as a weakness.”

When you or a loved one encounter one of the troubles of life, do not face it alone.  Troubles often make us feel ashamed or embarrassed, yet troubles are common to all of us.  “No temptation (or trial) has overtaken you, but such as is common to man… (I Cor. 10:13).

The Biblical Counseling Center is here to help people in their times of trouble.  Thank you for your friendship and support.  By God’s grace we are in our 39^th year of ministry!