"Restoring the Soul: A Counselor’s Take on Worship, Prayer, and Renewal"

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”— Psalm 23:3

As a licensed professional counselor, I sit with people every week who are weary—bone-deep weary. Not just tired from a long week, but soul-tired. Emotionally taxed. Spiritually dry. And let me be real with you: sometimes, I’m one of them.

The truth is, therapy can do a lot. It can bring clarity, healing, insight, and freedom. But it can’t replace the deep soul renewal that only comes through worship and prayer. As counselors, we’re trained to help people untangle their thoughts and feelings, but there are aches in the human spirit that no diagnosis can name and no treatment plan can resolve.

That’s where worship enters. Worship isn't just singing. It’s surrender. It’s the holy recalibration of our hearts. When we lift our eyes off our circumstances and onto the One who holds it all, something shifts. Worship silences the chaos. It reminds us of who God is, and in doing so, reminds us who we are—beloved, seen, safe.

That’s where prayer enters. Prayer is not a performance; it’s not polished or perfect. It’s raw. Real. Relational. As a therapist, I’m all about naming what’s real—because you can’t heal from what you won’t acknowledge. Prayer is our chance to come before God, not cleaned up, but cracked open. And somehow, mysteriously, in that space of vulnerability, the healing begins.

That’s where renewal happens. Renewal isn’t found in more effort. It’s found in divine exchange. My anxiety for His peace. My control for His sovereignty. My shame for His mercy. It happens when I pause, take a deep breath, and remember that I am not the Savior—I just work for Him.

So if you're running on empty this morning, hear this: You don’t have to earn rest. You don’t have to prove your worth. You just need to come.

Worship. Pray. Let Him renew you—not because you’ve been perfect, but because He’s always faithful.

My prayer today: God, I confess I often try to carry more than I was ever meant to hold. I strive, I plan, I fix. But what I need most is You. Restore what’s been depleted. Quiet my inner world. Remind me that I don’t need to hustle for peace—I just need to be near You.

In Jesus' name, Amen.