Getting Professional Help in 2017

Man struggling with how COVID-19 has affected his mental health

As a pastor, I do a lot of weddings and I totally love it! Come on, what could be better than two young people, in love, planning the rest of their lives together? But what I find deeply troubling and discouraging is that the average wedding costs between 10-15k, has hours of energy, planning and preparation involved and meanwhile when I do the premarital training with couples I will say something like; “Wow, this is so exciting you’re getting married, what a joy!

I know you guys are investing thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours into a one day event (the wedding), what kind of time, money and energy are you investing into your marriage?” At this point they’re usually a little annoyed, slightly irritable and maybe even a little bit convicted (by the lack of preparation that they have put into their relationship). The point of such a tactic is to help the young enthusiastic couple to see the absurdity of over-investing in an event to the neglect of under-investing in a relationship.

What about you? Have you taken seriously the opportunity to invest in your own life with professional help in 2017? Have you budgeted in the time, resources and emotional energy into facing your addictions in 2017? I want to give you 3 excuses I hear often about professional counseling and then I want to dismantle those 3 excuses so you can get make a commitment to get professional counseling/help in 2017:

Excuse #1- Professional counseling is a crutch for weak people:

Answer/Rebuttal: Counseling isn’t simply a crutch for a person with a limp. Often it’s more like a lifeboat for someone who’s drowning. Instead of pretending you don’t need help just admit you do. Professional counselors can often times be leveraged in such a way to provide life and hope in situations that are totally overwhelming.

Excuse #2- I can’t afford a professional Counselor

WinterAnswer/Rebuttal: You cannot “not afford” professional counseling. It’s like saying; “I can’t afford dinner tonight” or “I can’t afford my water bill”. Such a statement is ludicrous when you think about life without food or water. You actually CAN afford professional help but you have simply CHOSEN not to pursue it. There are programs, ministries and opportunities to address your addiction head on if you choose to. You will budget your priorities so the question becomes; “What are your priorities?”

Excuse #3- Professional Counselors are for the really messed up people

Answer/Rebuttal: This statement assumes that some people aren’t “really messed up”. What if I told you that you and I are MORE messed up than we would even dare to imagine but simultaneously more loved (by God) than we dare to believe. In professional counseling you let down all the pretenses, all of the false fronts and you share who you really are. We are all “really messed up” so just embrace it and start your healing process today.

May 2017 bring you fresh healing and joy!

-Ryan

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Pastor Ryan Moffet family photoAbout the Author:

Ryan Moffat is the teaching pastor at Vast Church in Sisters, OR and is currently working on his Masters in Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, OR

Ryan received his BS in Bible and Theology and a minor in counseling from Multnomah University. He has pastored students, families and is passionate about Christ-centered recovery and healing. He’s been married to his beautiful wife Michelle for 13 years and they enjoy raising four crazy, unique and special kids together.


The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addictions. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Addiction Hope understand that addictions result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, please know that there is hope for you, and seek immediate professional help.

Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on January 5, 2017
Published on AddictionHope.com

About Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC

Jacquelyn Ekern founded Addiction Hope in January, 2013, after experiencing years of inquiries for addiction help by visitors to our well regarded sister site, Eating Disorder Hope. Many of the eating disorder sufferers that contact Eating Disorder Hope also had a co-occurring issue of addiction to alcohol, drugs, and process addictions.