Watching God Do What Only God Can Do

She came in with her husband to see one of our female counselors and myself. Her troubled countenance was evident from the beginning as she sat down. She began to share about a two-year battle with depression. It had taken her to the place where she at one time had to be rescued off a ledge where she was planning to jump. She shared that she was filled with fear that her marriage was in deep trouble because of her struggles. She mentioned that she had a daughter some seven months earlier and was possibly struggling with post-partum depression issues. She had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was struggling with hopelessness. Her husband was hurting and confused not knowing how to help his wife that he obviously cared for. We listened and then I prayed that God would give us wisdom to help in this situation.

Remembering, that man is spiritually embattled, socially embedded, and physically embodied we began to take a three-pronged approach to her issues. We began with the idea that she is physically embodied. So, we examined the medications she was taking and encouraged her to make sure she was taking them as prescribed. We then moved to examine that she was socially embedded and so we looked specifically to the marriage. We provided them with some tools as to how he might be a support to her and understand and minister to her in her battles. Finally, we turned to the spiritually embattled aspect and began to address how we are instructed to bring our thoughts captive. I used the replace the number eight with the number twelve concept. I also encouraged her to examine activating event, belief and choice. This is where you identify the activating event, the trigger or triggers that brought on the negative situation. From there you seek to identify the choice(s) the person made and then finally you help the person identify the beliefs they have bought into that lead to the poor choices they have made. We spent a couple of hours with them and then scheduled an appointment with her for the following week because of his work schedule.

Now at no time did I think that she was dealing with a demon but the best way I can describe her countenance when she came back that next week is the way Scripture describes the man after Christ had cast out a demon, “He was clothed and in his right mind.” There was a complete and utter change in her life. She was filled with joy. She told us that after our meeting the week before she had her appointment with her psychiatrist and told the psychiatrist what she had learned and was applying. How we had told her that she needed to stay consistent with her meds and steps to take control of her thought life. The psychiatrist, whom I don’t know whether or not she is a believer, expressed excitement as she observed the obvious change. The psychiatrist told our counselee that she had been inches away from sending her to the hospital but that she could tell that this would not be necessary.

Now I tell you all this because it is a testimony of God doing only what God can do. Now if Christ can touch blind eyes and they see, touch the lame and they start walking, raise the dead; then certainly he can touch people struggling with emotional and intellectual conflicts and do what only He can do.

Remember the one blind man that Jesus touched once and he started to see men as trees walking and then a second time and he saw things clearly. I see in that the illustrations that there are times when God heals people in an instant and other times when he heals them in stages. God can do whatever He sets forth to do. We are the instruments that God uses at times to lead people to healing but he doesn’t need us. God will do what only He can do and we are left to rejoice and marvel at the majesty of God.

I’ll praise your name and sing your song

I’ll praise your name Lord my whole life long

I’ll praise your name until I am home

©2025 David W. Drake, President, Renewed Hope, Inc.