From early childhood, I learned that Jesus Christ was and is God the Son, and He loves us. This gave me great strength, encouragement and perseverance in my personal life struggles. As I matured in my walk with God and knowledge of His Word, I learned that from suffering, we become stronger, wiser, and more able to help and encourage others, if handled in view of God’s grace, mercy, and Gospel truths (Romans 5, 12). I aim to use my past pain and struggles to help others, as God guides me to do so.

I believe God has called me to this position, to help people be transformed by the renewing of their minds, as Romans 12 calls us to do. Replacing fears and dysfunctional behaviors with the promises and truths of God and His Word help me a great deal, and I love to assist other people in doing this, for the glory of God. As my mentor said, as Christian counselors, we are about building and strengthening people. This is done not by abusing Scripture or beating people up with it, but by using it as guided by the Holy Spirit, so that it is done with the love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and faithfulness of God’s Holy Spirit working through us (Galatians 5:22). As Christ spoke – and speaks – with truth and grace, my aim is to address my clients both honestly and gracefully, for God’s glory (John 1:14).

I believe God has given me the gifts of empathy and encouraging. As Romans 12 tells us, God has given each of us different gifts, for serving Him and others. Also, it’s crucial to help my clients feel listened to, understood, and respected, as bearers of God’s image (James 1:19; Genesis 1).