Here’s what I think:  I think everyone should have a therapist.  Just like everyone should have a primary care physician, everyone should have a therapist.  We all need someone who is unbiased, professional, and educated to listen to us, to actually hear us.  We all have disappointments in life.  Some are small, some are big, some are even bigger still.  I know because I have a therapist.  Someone who offers sound, doable, good advice to – if nothing else – get your mind off yourself, to help you realize there are reasonable and safe ways to deal with your hurts. Disclaimer:  I am not a professional therapist.  I am speaking from life experience. 

My experience includes 27 years working as a court reporter.  Many of those years were spent freelancing in the deposition world.  Seven of those years were spent working in a courtroom.  I actually love the drama of the courtroom, but along with that drama comes something called “vicarious trauma.”   Vicarious trauma is something professionals who work with victims of trauma day after day experience.  When you listen to painful stories all day, it takes a toll on your emotional health.  It affects the way you see the world.

For me, it was subtle.  It snuck up on me while working in the juvenile courts.  Hearing about crimes against children all day, every day, Monday through Friday, is a very difficult place to be.  I sought  help from a professional, and I have never turned back.  Of course, I heard other traumatic stories outside the juvenile courts.  I don’t mean to discount anyone’s traumatic experience.  There are many trauma experiences people suffer.  

My first response to disappointment is always to turn to God, Jehovah Rapha, Our Healer.  I find peace in my prayer and worship time with Abba Father.  I don’t know where I would be without my faith.  I know he is at work healing my emotional health, but I believe he uses professionals whom he has equipped with the necessary tools to help us.  People he has called to His service.  

There’s no quicker way to get your thoughts off the pain than to go to God in prayer, to tell Him how grateful you are for the things in your life that are going well, for your many blessings.  Try journaling three (or more) things that you are grateful for each day.  Start first thing in the morning watching for those little things that are blessing your life.  For me, today, one of the things that made me smile are the new blooms on my orchid plant.  I have never had an orchid bloom more than once before. This led me to a second joy, the friend who gifted me the orchid.  See where I’m going with this?  Give it a try.

In the book of Psalms, we can find encouragement in the scriptures for those who call on the name of the Lord for healing.

“He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.” Psalms 147:3 (ESV)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases.” Psalm 103:1-3 (ESV)

Pray with me:

Father, we know you are a God who heals.  We come to you with all our hurts, both physical pain and emotional pain. We lay all of this at the foot of the cross where Jesus died for us.  We seek your wisdom, guidance, and healing.  We know you hear our prayers.  Amen.