Me and Who Elseনমুনা

Me + God = Never Alone! 

As a counsellor, I have had clients who came with the sole intention of being heard, but there was one client who stands out in my memory. At the end of her first session, she said she felt relieved just being able to speak to someone, which was evident by her relieved visage.  

She returned a year later, saying she was doing okay and that her life was pretty manageable.  A little into the conversation, however, she started to break down. 

Her husband’s job required them to move to a different city and she was afraid that she would not be able to speak to me, should the need arise. She confessed that while there was always a fear that things would go wrong for her, she felt assured because she could always reach out to me. I allayed her fears and gave her a referral in the city she was moving to, and I could see the instant relief on her face.  

Sometimes, all we need to know is that someone is available, even if we never ask for or take their help. It helps us dig deep into our mental, emotional, and spiritual resources with the confidence that, should we reach the end of our resources, there is always someone we can fall back on. Knowing that we are not alone bolsters our confidence and pushes us to face life with boldness.  

Parents as primary caregivers, friends as understanding peers, spouse and children as our sources of support, stand by us during different phases of life. But sometimes, they may not understand our situation, or still worse, might be the very cause of our predicaments.  

Who do we turn to then? Yes, a counsellor can be of great help, but cannot be with you 24/7.

The sons of Korah wrote in the opening verse of the Psalm of holy confidence, the 46th Psalm, 'God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ 

Ever-present—transcending geography and time.

Now it’s your call. Will you stay worried that you might find yourself alone with no one to fall back on? Or will you walk in confidence, knowing that you are never alone since Christ has your back. Always.  

Santhosh Vennamalla  

Counsellor