For me, it was when I was sitting in premarital counseling, about three years after I had trusted in Christ as my Savior. I had read the Bible, had been devouring my devotions as I sought to follow Jesus closely in college, and had been developing a very high view of Scripture. But it was in premarital counseling where the lightbulb fully turned on – WOW – God speaks with wisdom to ALL the areas and issues of life. Conflict resolution, in-law relationships, sexual intimacy, financial management, and on and on and on – it’s all right there in Scripture! Every principle we need! Through the power of God’s Spirit (“not by might, but by my Spirit” says the Lord!), with the help of God’s church (encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “today”!), in the shadow of the cross (let us fix our eyes on Jesus!), we can find real HOPE and HELP in God’s Word and experience real breakthroughs and victories in our hearts and lives!

Do we believe this, Forcey BIBLE Church?!

This is why I have sought biblical counseling in my life and prioritized it in my ministry. And last month I was blessed to have Pastors Lonnie and Mike along with Forcey sisters Donna and Heather join me in journeying to a church in Indiana for a biblical counseling conference with a couple thousand others from the body of Christ. We were in the first of six tracks, and some of our 35 sessions (admittedly we may have skipped a few!) included: Understanding the Heart, Walking in the Light, Trials and Suffering, Basic Truths Concerning Marriage, Biblical Principles of Sex, Helping Those Suffering with Depression, Understanding Biblical Forgiveness, Understanding and Overcoming Sexual Sin, How to Handle Anger Biblically, Four Rules of Communication, Biblical Parenting for the Glory of God, Overcoming Worry and Fear, Guilt and Repentance, Counseling People with a Medical Illness, and Counseling People with a Psychological Diagnosis. And church – WE can do this! In fact, we MUST! We must help one another do more than COPE, we must help one another to find true HOPE in Christ for real and lasting change! We must offer not just our best ideas, but real HELP from Scripture. Paul writes to the church of Thessalonica: “And we urge you brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone” (5:14). What do we do? Warn and encourage and help each other! Who does it? Everyone! How? With patience – lovingly and carefully – without being simplistic when dealing with the complexities of sin and suffering.

Friend, are you overwhelmed by sin or suffering today? Would you let someone in our Forcey family know? There is hope and help for you! We can do this TOGETHER! And if you’re interested in being equipped and empowered to more effectively come alongside of others with the hope of Christ and help of Scripture, please let me know! It’s an honor and joy to follow Jesus with you, Forcey family!