The Well

WE ALL NEED ADVICE

How many times have you been at a place of decision and called several friends to get their opinion? This is wise, according to God's Word. Well, it's wise if the friends are basing their opinions on God's Word. When we call them, we hope their reply will be in agreement with what we feel is the right thing to do. Then, when the tables are turned and someone calls us for advice, we truly understand how wonderful it is to say the right thing at the right time.

Back in 1997, after years of feeling led by God to minister as a lay counselor ¾ the door opened; on March 1, my husband and I received training through a new ministry of lay couples's discipling lay couples who are having marital problems. This ministry was not "counseling" as the world calls it; rather, this "counseling" was literally walking through the Word of God with a couple as we helped them understand God's view of marriage. We were to meet with the couple, pray and talk with them as they began to understand that the views of the world have greatly interferred with God's plan for their lives. Unfortunately, the ministry folded before we actually had the chance to get out and do anything…which is one of the reasons we started out own ministry.

As I'm sure you know, divorce statistics are baffling; one in two marriages end in divorce; both in and out of the church. This should not be. However, the statistics change when couples begin praying together daily; 1 in 1,152 couples who pray together divorce. Amazing isn't it? The old saying is true ¾ families who pray together stay together.

If you are hurting today, please don't let shame or pride keep you from reaching out for help. Pray and ask the Lord to place someone in your path that will walk with you through your pain. It truly is a blessing when we open our pain to someone and find compassion in their eyes rather than condemnation. Jesus understood and reached out to the woman caught in adultery. Now, He wants us to offer the same hand of compassion and offer words of love and understanding. One of the major things God has taught me is this; we don't have to have a counseling degree to spread hope. Go ahead, whether you are the one asking or being asked ¾ God's grace is sufficient.