by Jenny Harrison

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on the wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

The long and grueling journey was beginning to wind down. As my supervisor signed and approved  my last hours for my counseling internship, I asked him if he had any final words of wisdom. With a kind but serious tone he responded, “Jenny, you have been an excellent student. You have studied hard and mastered all of the requirements to practice in the mental health profession. Many will seek your help and depend on your expertise. But you must always remember that you can never depend on your own strength or wisdom. If you do, you will deplete yourself of all energy, becoming tired, burned out, and resentful. You will sink like a rock and be of little help to anyone. It is important as this chapter ends and your counseling practice begins for you to remember who is and will always be the Master Counselor.”

In all honesty, I have both heeded and ignored the sound advice given to me that day. The results to both decisions were no surprise. I was filled with my Father’s everlasting, eternal strength or found myself flailing desperately to keep my head above water.

It is necessary for this impulsive child of God to adjust my focal point on Him several times a day due to my tendency to blaze my own path.

I pray before each of my sessions: “Lord Jesus, you know their heart and their need much more than I. Guide me today, for you are the Master Counselor and I am your humble servant.”

As I refocus, I remember the words of my mentor and scripture from the Word:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Where will you draw your strength today?

Copyright © 2015, Jenny Harrison, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Images from Pinterest. Scripture from The Holy Bible, New International Version.