Hey, friends! It’s been awhile. I have several half-written blog posts started, but I haven’t posted in a while. I’ve been working on another endeavor and decided to share about it here to explain why I have been slow on posting.
For the last year or more, I have felt the Lord’s direction to pursue studies to become a Biblical counselor. I feel strongly that Scripture is sufficient to give us help for EVERY life circumstance and that many of the problems people face today are because they don’t know what the Word of God says about how to live life.
2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Bible really does equip us to accomplish every task, to make wise decisions, and to solve problems.
As I looked at the information from seminary about costs and requirements for a Master’s Degree in Biblical Counseling, I felt unrest. I didn’t believe God would lead me to accumulate debt for an additional degree at my age, especially one that did not involve a change of career. I love being a nurse and plan to continue my nursing career. I was confused by what seemed to be clear direction from God but didn’t make sense to me.
I prayed, prayed, prayed. I basically begged God to write it in the sky if this was from Him because I didn’t want to pursue it without knowing for certain it was His will. He is so faithful. I got my answer, and there was no question about it.
It seemed every scripture, every sermon, every song, every conversation with other believers began to echo the messages of “Trust God and Obey. Take that leap of faith. When God calls you, He will equip you…etc., etc.”
A dear fellow writer who knew nothing of my struggle even sent me an email about trusting God that had a video of Indiana Jones’ famous leap of faith. (Check it out on You tube if you’ve never seen it by searching Indiana Jones leap of faith. It’s less than 2 minutes long but has great spiritual truth).
I knew God was painting it in the sky for me. I finally acted in faith to meet with some people from the seminary to discuss the requirements. That’s when God did His wondrous work.
It was only by meeting with people from the seminary that I discovered that I didn’t have to obtain a seminary master’s degree in order to pursue Biblical counseling! They told me about a certifying organization called the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors. This was a path that I didn’t know existed and didn’t even involve going to seminary.
Through the Association of Certified Biblical Counselor’s (ACBC), there is a pathway that I can complete mostly online that is very affordable, rich with information, rigorous but not too difficult, and provides a solid foundation and training that leads to a certification for Biblical Counseling. This is the pathway that I am currently on, and I am now entering phase 2 of three phases of training.
I don’t know exactly what I will do with this, but I am confident that God will show me in time. Honestly, when you think about it, aren’t we all counselors in some way? Don’t we all give advice to friends, coworkers, and family members? I sure do want any advice that I give to people to be rooted in truth from Scripture and not my own opinions.
Taking those faith leaps are beginning to get a little easier for me. When God has faithfully been there to catch me every time, it makes the next leap less formidable. What leap of faith is God asking of you? Is there something He is calling you to do that requires you to trust Him and not your own ability?
Dwight L. Moody said, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him. I aim to be that man.” Yes! I want to be that woman. Fully consecrated and just waiting to see what God will do. I would hate to get to the end of my life and wonder what might have been different if I had trusted God more.
I guarantee that you will never regret trusting God. Dear friend, I pray you take your own leap of faith to whatever it is that the Holy Spirit is nudging you to do that is scary for you. Galatians 5:25 says, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (NLT). Every part. Even the parts that don’t make sense yet.
TRUSTING HIM
I’m slowing learning to trust Him.
I wonder why it has taken me so long
To believe His will is best for me
When God has never been wrong.
I’m slowly learning to trust Him—
To stop fussing with my own schemes and plans,
But to quietly listen to what He has in store
And put each day in my Lord’s hands.
I’m slowly learning to trust Him,
and I’ve found beauty like I’ve never seen
In the love between me and my Savior
By letting Him, and not me, reign as King.
I’m slowly learning to trust Him,
And whether doubts are many or few,
I know where to turn for my answers
Because the Word of God always stands true.
I’m slowly learning to trust Him,
And I don’t have to understand.
In the end God works everything out for the good
According to His perfect plan.
I’m slowly learning to trust Him
In facing whatever unknown,
To keep praying He’ll continue to nurture,
For He sees parts of me not yet grown.
I’m slowing learning to trust Him,
And although my way seems best as I’m wrestling,
I’ll obey and step out of my safe zone—
Leaps of faith bring new showers of blessing.
I’m slowly learning to trust Him.
The Spirit’s nudge I’ll no longer resist.
I don’t want to look back at my life with regret,
Wondering what adventures with Jesus I missed.
c. Bobbie Perkins
