What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done?

The interesting part about being a therapist is that I get to hear so many stories.  Stories of joy and often stories of sorrow.  One of the hardest stories people have trouble sharing with their therapist are stories of shame. 

I’m not surprised when it’s often been months of therapy and someone finally breaks down and tells me what they’ve really been wanting to say.  I’m not surprised because its often extremely hard to trust another individual with sensitive issues.

I hope that anyone who has ever walked through my doors have felt safe enough to tell me whatever they needed to say.  But I also know that verbalizing things is hard.

I’m a Christian therapist but I don’t really “do Christian therapy”.  I will pray with someone if they ask.  I will discuss philosophical issues if someone brings it up.  The one thing I won’t do is judge someone.  Christians are often perceived by many as being “holier than thou, judgmental people”. Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of judgmental Christians.  But you won’t find one when you walk through my door.

 My faith and compassion are both cornerstones in my Christian faith and they allow me to exemplify the very best attributes of what it means to be a Christian.  Translation, I understand and know that there are no perfect people, and that everyone regardless of their life experiences deserves dignity and respect.

 So, I ask you again, What’s the worst thing you’ve ever done and do you need to talk about it?

 So, what is it about being a Christian that frees me from being judgmental?  It’s because I truly believe that Jesus wouldn’t want me to sit in judgement.  We hear so many Christians talk about “sin” and yes, understanding what is sin and what isn’t is important.  However, my faith tells me that Jesus knows the darkest parts of us, those things about ourselves that we aren’t proud of, and despite this he loved us enough to find a way to forgive us.

 In the bible we’re told that Peter would deny his relationship with Jesus, but that Jesus knew he would do it and that Jesus still prayed for him.

 “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends…you did not choose me, but I chose you” John 15:15-16

We have all sinned and will do so again and again.  If you can find peace and healing in the therapy office, then I would encourage you share what weighs heaviest upon you and know that you do so in a safe space.