Essential Item Required

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. Ecc. 4:9-10
This August I was privileged to be able to pick my brother up in Maine to drive him to New Jersey after he completed walking the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. I was kept entertained the entire drive with stories of his adventure. I relay this story as it has a great biblical connection.
Getting injured along the trail requires one to be their own doctor and to treat themselves. My brother told me how twice he was injured in places that he just couldn’t see to know what needed to be done. Once he was injured on his foot in a spot unseen and another time on the back of his head. He told of how frustrating it was to be alone on the trail and just unable to take proper care of care of himself. It was then that he realized a mirror is an essential item in a first aid kit. If one cannot see the problem one cannot take proper care of the problem. Both injuries required that he wait until he met up with someone on the trail to have them take a look and describe to him what they saw as well as to help assist with any first aid.
It was like a light bulb went off and we both saw the analogy to our personal lives. Often there are issues, problems, sins, and behaviors that are a part of our lives that we do not see. We are often blind to what others can see much clearer from their perspective. God has called us into relationship with others for just that purpose – to be the mirror that shows us our hidden problems. We need people in our lives that we can stop and ask them to look into our souls and tell us what they see. It is only then that we can take the appropriate steps needed to find healing.
Luckily none of my brother’s injuries were very serious. However, I cannot help thinking how deeply engraved our problems can become if we fail to ask others to help us see inside our hearts and be a mirror for us.
Do you have someone in your life that walks with you to gently tell you about your life and help you see where you need to change, grow or heal? I do, and I encourage you to find someone or pray for God to bring people along your path that are willing to assist you and be the mirror in your life.
Lynne
Lynne Jahns is a Christian counselor and holds the honor of being the first Director of Barbara’s Place at America’s Keswick, a residential addiction recovery ministry for women. Lynne is married to Bill Jahns, who also serves on staff at America’s Keswick as the Director of Housekeeping.  When not working and studying, Lynne loves to be outdoors and to travel.  Family is very important to both Lynne and Bill and a lot of free time is spent with relatives and close family friends. Lynne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences from Cedarville University in Ohio, a Master of Arts degree from The College of New Jersey in Community Counseling, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree from Louisiana Baptist University.