by OIF Veteran SGT Anina Blakenship
Working with Kathryn Custer, an IABC Certified Biblical Counselor of Fallen Soldiers March (FSM), has been a blessing. I’m truly thankful. I had been searching for quite some time to find a therapy that would heal the wounds I felt so deeply within. During my tour to Baghdad, Iraq, I lost several close friends. I struggled with survivor’s guilt and often wondered why the Lord had spared my life, though at times I felt gratitude. Other times, I was angry with God, as I didn’t understand why any of the losses had to have happened.
I pursued a variety of therapies, hoping that if I just worked hard enough and pushed through the survivor’s guilt I would feel healthy and whole again. It wasn’t until I started working with Kathryn that I realized I had never invited the Lord into this painful part of my life. I was striving to do bear the wounds, questions, and healing in my own strength. Working with Kathryn, I gained a renewed desire to read my Bible daily and ask the Lord to help heal the parts of my life I’d kept hidden from Him for so long.
One beauty of biblical counseling is the constant returning to the Word of God, which helped build my faith and confidence in God’s goodness. Over time, the weight I’d carried far too long began to dissolve. I had more clarity and resolve to pursue this beautiful life the Lord had blessed me with and to not waste one more moment of it. I’m forever grateful for FSM and Kathryn and I’ll continue to share my experience with other veterans.
Epilogue by IABC Certified Biblical Counselor Kathryn Custer
Walking with Anina through this season of her growth in God was such a privilege. Prior to contacting Fallen Soldiers March, she had been to other types of counseling, but she was left unsatisfied. Even the professing Christian counselors failed to mention God in Anina’s sessions, which was confusing. She came to me without a sense of purpose or direction for her life. She wondered who she was and why she was still alive. She struggled with the loss of friends in combat and she was greatly concerned about the thoughts that people may have had about her. Anina had a lot of why questions and little trust in God, yet she deeply desired to know Him better and wanted Him to be a part of her life.
Anina was so teachable and eager to learn. She did her homework thoroughly, always excited to share with me the new insights the Lord was teaching her and how to apply those. We spent time looking at who God had created her to be, who He is, His love for her, His sovereignty, and that He had designed a good plan for her life, which included all her experiences. I watched Anina grow to trust God with her past and future. She learned how to lament biblically, with the goal of honoring God. She gained a deeper understanding of the gospel, not only for salvation but for every aspect of her life and earthly longevity. Anina’s quiet time with God had been "as time allowed," but that communion grew deep and consistent. Watching her allow God to be her refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1) was a true joy. She received the truth He spoke into her life and He set her free from the lies she had believed. I’m thankful to have been a part of Anina’s journey.
____________________________________
If you are Veterans or a friend/family member of a Veteran and would like request our counseling, please use the link below:
If you are a counselor and would like to join our network, please use the link below:
Join the FSM Biblical Counselor Network
If you like what you've read , sign up to receive quarterly newsletter articles and updates via email - or SUPPORT our mission by making a donation, even $10 per month can make a huge difference and allow us to grow our counseling and spread the word of God!
Donate Now - One-Time or Recurring Monthly Donations!
If you are a Federal Employee and would like to donate FSM
is a certified Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity.
Designate ID #59846 / Fallen Soldiers March.
_____________________________________________
