Certain events in our lives can change the ways we perceive the world and interact with others. Trauma can rob us of our present joy and future hope, as it may be challenging to envision a positive life ahead - it can make you feel constantly on edge, emotionally numb, or checked out.   

You may be surrounded by holiday cheer right now, but perhaps, like the Grinch, the happiness around you is in stark contrast to the feeling of discontent on the inside. For many couples, the holidays can magnify the pain of unresolved conflict. Instead of laughter around the table, you might notice arguments springing from small disappointments or the tension of past wounds overshadowing family celebrations. In homes that are meant to reflect warmth and love, you may feel more alone than ever—longing for feelings of closeness and safety that seem out of reach.

It’s a question many quietly carry: “How do I stay close to God when I feel alone—even in my faith?” Maybe you say the prayers, read the familiar verses, and show up at church. Yet, deep down, there’s still a sense that something is missing. This silent longing is more common than most realize, and at its core, it is a question about attachment—our bond not just with the people around us, but with the God who made us.

C.S. Lewis, in The Screwtape Letters, illustrates how demons may have a plan to lead us to disbelieve in their existence. The Screwtape Letters is a satire, where a senior devil, Screwtape, writes letters to his nephew, Wormwood, in order to tempt and corrupt a British Man, “the Patient”, ultimately away from God. The book takes the view from the devil’s perspective, painting a picture of spiritual warfare.

The term “Christian Counselor” can be a catch all for many different types of people who provide counseling from a Biblical worldview; some who may be licensed by a state board, and some who may not. The term “counselor” or “counseling” can also denote a myriad of services that apply to fields other than mental health. Typically, in the world of mental health “counseling services” and “psychotherapy services” can be used interchangeably.

At one point the church may have been your safe haven - until it became the place of your wounding. You may have looked for help from leaders at the church, and although they had good intentions, they may have made things worse.