I have seen people work through past hurts and God brought deep healing…

It began when the ministers of Cross Church were seeking God’s direction to find a system where people could be referred to get affordable counseling. Amy Butler, a Licensed Counselor at John Brown University (JBU), was approached by the leadership of the church to help find a solution to this challenge. God brought about the union of JBU Care Clinic and Cross Church in February of 2010.

Amy says that she has witnessed people, for the first time, get freedom from things in their lives that kept them from living the life God created them to live. Care Clinic provides Christian counseling, confidentially, a pathway to healing, and the best part is that no one is turned away due to lack of finances. Many people come to receive tools to fight depression or anxiety. Some come because they need a safe place to talk. Financial dispair is a big issue. Others have childhood traumatic events that they are realizing they need to deal with, as an adult, in order to move forward in their lives.

Couples seek marriage enrichment while others come to find solutions for a marital crisis and are looking for tools to save their marriage. Children come to find answers and comfort during their parent’s divorce. Not all choose freedom and health from counseling, but Amy says their prayer is that anyone coming will hear truth and be willing to take even a baby step toward healing in their lives.

Our prayer is that this article will soften the hearts of people to the idea of counseling…

The enemy has a stronghold in many people’s lives in the way they view professional counseling. It is a lie of the enemy and is used to keep people from finding the strength and help that God is providing for them. The counselors at Care Clinic are believers who seek the Lord and pray for direction in the way they advise people daily. As they walk along beside people, their views are biblically grounded. They seek freedom from anything that keeps an individual, couple, or family from living a full and healthy life. Counseling is not a sign of weakness, giving up, retreat, or shame. Instead, it demonstrates strength, humility, courage, and faith. The enemy of our Lord would have us hide in darkness, to isolate, to live in shame and guilt. Jesus warns us, “A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it more abundantly.”

We are told how to do this: “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person. You were created to be like God and in His image, with righteousness and holiness.” -Ephesians 4:23–24

Many people have desired counsel for months and even years but weren’t able to afford the session fees. They came to Care Clinic and were grateful for affordable services. Amy said that one family had sat in church for 20 years suffering. They finally said “it’s time we get help” when they realized the assistance they needed was available.

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”

“There is no need too small or too large to seek advice for. There is a point in all of our lives that we need to talk to someone regarding issues in our lives that are keeping us from moving forward and being happy. Chronic illnesses, death, alcohol, depression, pornography, divorce, and drug addictions cause a state of crisis, and families need help in finding solutions and options in how to deal with these on a daily basis,” Amy mentioned.

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.”

The counselors at Care Clinic are sensitive to what type of spiritual discussion people want to have. They meet people where they are, but they tell them the truth without forcing their beliefs on them. They will pray with you and listen to your beliefs as they give guidance and direction. Whether it is anger management or unforgiveness, they get to the bottom of what is preventing an individual from being free. Are you angry or in denial or are you stuck in a state of unforgiveness?

Childhood trauma causes adults to finally realize how things from the past have influenced their relationships and attitudes for years. Amy said that many people wait too late. She said, “When you feel your anxiety is heightened, go then! Don’t wait until divorce comes, or when you have lost your house or suicide occurs. When you are closer to the crisis, it looks like the options are fewer.” It’s Amy’s desire that people would recognize their need and go then to get the tools to find answers and hope. Don’t have fear and just wait for the problems to go away. Be willing to get to the problem before relationships are too damaged and can’t be repaired. Many people are from family systems where they don’t know what to do but ignore it. Amy reminds people not to wait for someone else in the family to go for counseling. One person changing can change the whole family system. It can start with one person. That one person stepping out and making a change will cause the others to have to change.

Cross Church is starting Celebrate Recovery in December. “This is ‘God going where people are’. These are places people can go for the hardships of life. This is also very complimentary for teenagers. God is in the business of setting people free. God is putting things around them to set them free. Don’t miss the opportunities that are out there. Care Clinic and Celebrate Recovery work together to provide tools for healing and help,” Amy said.

“My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my Soul!”

People, by nature, don’t want friends and family to know they are hurting and experiencing hardship. Pastor Floyd reminded us in a recent sermon that we are either going into a storm, are in a storm, or coming out of a storm. Everyone is going through some trial or tribulation. Amy said, “Healing is bringing things to light and not hiding them in darkness. This is a fear that Satan uses to keep people covering up their problems. He breeds in darkness our hardships. True healing is better than appearances. The relief that comes through healing is far better than the silent sufferings and pretending.”

“But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait, The sky, not the grave, is our goal; Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord! Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!”

When families wait too late to get help, it robs them and their family of the life God has for them. How can we get loved ones to choose counseling? Amy says to meet with a counselor yourself to show that person how much you care and what you are willing to do to work on your own issues. This can be very convicting and can lead a person to come themselves.

Stress comes during the Christmas season and what should we look for and be aware of? Pastor Floyd talked recently about how the season is not so happy for some people. It brings the sadness of losing loved ones, brings out the dysfunction of families, and brings back old memories and opens wounds. Many are troubled due to financial stress. This takes away from why we are celebrating Christ’s birthday. Amy says “try not to worry about the standard and expectations others have for you. Take a step back and think about what you really want Christmas to be. Look at your family through the eyes of Christ and try to love those who are not easy to love. This might bring to life the need to reflect on the idea—am I happy with my life? Maybe I want to invite someone into my journey. Maybe I want to get healing from old injuries. This might be a good time to go for counseling. It’s important to choose a counseling session where you can trust and know that the people are trained and know how to guide you.

“And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.”