Doug Wolter

Counseling isn’t so much about helping someone move from Point A to Point B as it is helping them see the story that got them to Point A and the slow and deep journey it takes to get to Point B.

3 Ways to Ward Off Anxiety -learning to live with uncertainty -leaning into church community -looking at God’s goodness and beauty

Our experience of God as our secure attachment is seen in the Garden: Seen - His loving pursuit asking, “Where are you?” Satisfied - His compassionate presence with you Safe - His making garments to clothe you Secure - His first promise to save you

To the over-thinkers and over-preparers among us: You have seen God come through time and time again. You have witnessed his sovereign hand guiding your ways. You know how much he cares for you and for this situation you face. Let go, he will be with you.

@DJR69422 Exactly

@DougWolter Kind of like how your dad gets wiser every year after you turn 20.

Ecclesiastes used to feel like such a mysterious stranger for me until I got a little older and went through some disappointing, gut-wrenching seasons of life and it became more like a wise, old friend.

You are forgiven from all your sin by the precious blood of Jesus. You are a child of God loved and embraced by your Father in heaven. Your times are in His hand, and nothing can separate you from Christ’s love. Take this in…and rest in this today.

@JeffVanderstelt I think we have many teachers but few fathers (and mothers) in the gospel (1 Cor. 4:15)…and transformation takes a lifetime so we need patience and gentleness in the process.

Is it possible that many Christians in the USA don’t look like Jesus because we are satisfied with people passively listening with no expectation of them remembering & practicing what they’ve heard (see Matthew 7:24-27 & James 1:22-25)? Jesus & James call this foolishness.

It’s a strange but deep kind of fellowship we have with Jesus in our relational and emotional suffering. He doesn’t have a better story so he’s inviting us into his.

Transformation takes a lifetime. Be patient with yourself, your kids and those you counsel.

Jesus’ slow, relational focus might’ve bothered us who feel more secure when our schedule is efficient and predictable. But this doesn’t mean Jesus wasn’t intentional. He just prioritized people.

Feel your feelings and name them in prayer, and at the same time remind yourself of what is true about God. He meets you in the tension. “no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul. I cry to you, O Lord; I say, “You are my refuge” Ps. 142:4-5

Peter’s story of denial shows us that our deepest failures can be forgiven because of the cleansing blood of the cross. And, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, “In the presence of a Christian brother, I can dare to be a sinner.”

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mt. of Olives. -Mk. 14:26 In the shadow of the cross, Jesus was singing. He needed the psalms right up until he breathed his last. Jesus sang for us in our darkest hour when we couldn’t get out the words.

Pastors and Ministry Leaders, if you’re planning for an upcoming sabbatical, I’d be honored to walk with you as I’ve coached and counseled many leaders. Learn more here: gospelcarecollective.com/sabbatical/ My bio here: gospelcarecollective.com/counseling/dou…

It’s not so much that we are asking Jesus to join us in our suffering, but that Jesus is inviting us to share in his.

Those who are soaring with hope today, look for those plummeting in despair…and reach out your hand. “If the Lord has given to you to soar aloft into the clear blue sky, try to carry your friend with you, and lift him above the clouds.” -Spurgeon

To really see people requires us to slow down and walk in step with the Spirit. Unsurprisingly, this is what we see in the life of Jesus. And as we abide in him and join with him, we bear fruit like him—fruit that lasts.

Joy arises from a soul that is deeply secure in God. “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. THEREFORE my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.” -Psalm 16:8-9

Sacred Space. Focused Attention. Renewed Hope. A biblical counseling intensive might be a great investment for you this spring/summer. I’ve worked with ministry leaders & married couples, and found this time to be very fruitful. gospelcarecollective.com/intensives/

Jesus, my high priest, the anchor of my soul… -has torn the veil so I can draw near to God -has secured an eternal redemption through his blood -is gentle and merciful sympathizing with me in my weakness -is constantly interceding for me in prayer