[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: He is our greatest therapist

By Oke Chinye

Read: Isaiah 43:1-7

Meditation verse: 

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers,  they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be  burned, nor shall the flame scorch you (Isaiah 43:2). 

‘Exposure Technique’ is a counselling intervention therapy used for patients  suffering from a morbid fear of certain things. The assumption behind this  intervention is that when the person is purposefully exposed to the frightening  situation, with the therapist by his or her side, they will either realize that their  fears are just an illusion or with the support of the therapist develop coping skills  that allows them to tolerate the situation. Continuous exposure in the absence  of any direct effect will cause the fear to gradually fade away. By contrast,  continuous avoidance of the frightening situation will serve to maintain the fear.

I am minded thinking that Psychologists founded this counselling technique  based on the Isaiah 43:2 which says “When you pass through the waters, I will  be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk  through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you”. I used to have a morbid fear for flying in an aircraft. I avoided tasks or activities that  required me to travel from one place to another by air. And if I couldn’t avoid  the trip, I barely slept the night before. I would suffer panic attacks and visit the  toilet several times before boarding the aircraft. Though I have not totally  overcome this fear, I have learnt coping skills to help me tolerate the situation.

How did I achieve this? ‘Exposure Technique’ of course. At take-off, I would close  my eyes and picture Jesus Christ by my side and then I would recite some of His  promises to me. Psalm 91:14-16 is my favourite. “Because he has set his love  upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has  known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him  in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation”.

What is your greatest fear? Do not let it stop you from living the abundant life  you were created for. Jesus Christ is our greatest therapist. Talk to Him about it  today. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the  strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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