A Voice of Hope

A Voice of Hope
by Susie Black, MDiv, LPCC

Years ago someone challenged me by stating, “The voices in your head are powerful. How will you direct them?” I found this question to be profoundly impactful largely because embedded within the question itself was the assumption that I had the power to control or at least directly influence my thoughts. This realization opened up new avenues of possibility for me as I embraced the idea of being transformed by the renewing of my mind.[1] These days, so many people feel helpless to pursue needed changes in their lives due to the beliefs that their brain chemistry or biology run their lives and that feelings dictate their reality. Yet, generally speaking, feelings tend to follow thoughts, and thoughts (which are housed in the mind) are to a significant extent under the conscious control of the will. This is why Cognitive Behavioral Therapists spend so much time exploring thought patterns and tend to focus their interventions on efforts to teach thought-stopping techniques and challenge unhelpful thinking patterns. A person who wills or intends to change has a good chance of influencing feelings by directly altering the focus of the thoughts within the mind.

Dallas Willard brilliantly describes the complex relationship between the mind and will as follows,

“We have already noted how the will is totally dependent in its functioning on the contents of the mind (thoughts, feelings). It is not possible to choose, which is the function of the will or spirit, except in terms of thoughts and feelings. The will is hemmed in by what our thoughts and feelings actually are at the time of willing. But now we need to develop further the idea that our thoughts and feelings also have a crucial dependence on our will, on our choices…In short, the condition of our mind is very much a matter of the direction in which our will is set.” [2]

After years of counseling in both pastoral and clinical settings, I noticed that much of our emotional, spiritual and relational angst emanates from a very common tendency toward negative thoughts/beliefs about the self or God. Based on Willard’s conclusions about the will being hemmed in by the mind, negative thoughts leading to difficult feelings have a tendency to essentially cripple the will causing a downward spiral. Our feelings or emotions end up running our lives and forfeit the truth. This makes it difficult to truly believe anything other than what feels true and results in the all-too-common “head-heart disconnect.”

It pains me to know that so many people in our churches struggle with seeds of self-doubt and self-condemnation. I hear inklings of this in everyday conversations with people of all ages. Therefore, The “Voices” conference [on April 12 in Rancho Cucamonga, California] is an attempt to challenge people to consciously consider the impact of their habitual thoughts and ideas, and inspire an intentional commitment to align themselves with the truth of the Scriptures. It is my hope that this experience will become a catalyst for the redemptive work God desires to accomplish in people’s minds and hearts. I long for the day when we see true disciples begin to rise in confidence and trust, with courage and competence to minister to a broken and hurting world.

Susie Black M.Div., M.A., LPCC, AMFT, CADC II has served in discipleship ministry for over 25 years in various pastoral and clinical roles. Her thoughts on spiritual formation have been heavily influenced by the person and works of Dallas Willard.

She is hosting a Voices Conference (independent of Shepherd Heart) on April 12, 2019, in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

[1] Romans 12:2

[2] For further discussion on this subject, see Dallas Willard’s Chapter, “How the Mind Depends on the Will.” His explanation far exceeds my own and he has significantly influenced my thoughts on this subject. (Renovation of the Heart, 142).

You don’t have to wait for the webinar, “Depression & Bipolar Disorder in the Church,” to roll around on the calendar of events. Schedule one specially for your church now.