How to have Peace in Times of Trouble

by | Oct 7, 2013 | crisis, Faith, grief, loss, Uncategorized

LogoColorNoText.jpegI recently experienced the death of a supervisor that I respect and care about a lot. I never thought that when I walked into Haven House as a counseling intern that it would lead to a successful career of helping and caring for hurting children. I feel sad about the loss, and find myself experiencing similar feelings of grief that I help my clients work through every day. Grief doesn’t feel good. It’s many feelings rolled into one. It’s a process that i know if I ignore it will leave me stuck.

It has me asking questions that many people ask. For example, a friend of mine posted on Facebook the other day about why a God that is good and loving allows troubles in our lives and in the world. Why did a wonderful lady like my supervisor go through the pain, suffering and death that she did? Why, did a God with unlimited power to heal her illness allow her to die when she did?  There are so many different answers one can get from that question. Why?

While I will not know the complete answer to the question about why do people hurt, experience pain and evil in the world, I can go to the words of Jesus for comfort.

1. He knew what grief felt like.

John 11:33-36

33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?”he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

2. He overcame the world.

John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

3. You can also look at Jeremiah and what God told him about the suffering and persecution he was facing.

Jeremiah 12:5-6 The Message

“So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men,what makes you think you can race against horses?And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm,what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?Those closest to you, your own brothers and cousins,are working against you.They’re out to get you. They’ll stop at nothing.Don’t trust them, especially when they’re smiling.John 16:33

Reflections on a Support Group

by | May 31, 2008 | Association for Play Therapy, Child Therapy, children, crisis, domestic violence, group, trauma

One of the most difficult and rewarding things that I experienced as an intern was running a support group for children who have experienced domestic violence. I have had the opportunity now to look back and rethink how the group was structured, and to integrate principles of crisis intervention, play therapy, and group work into a format that I believe is ideal for using support groups with children as a crisis intervention. It is a structured approach, which is in contrast to a traditional child-centered play group. However I used child centered principles in communicating with children during group, such as tracking their behavior, reflecting feelings, setting limits, and providing encouragement. This way of communicating with children, I believe provides a safe, stable environment, and shows caring and empathy for each child.