Seeing beyond the pain.

I just completed presenting at a convention of Christian Counselors talking about helping people grow spiritually through the pain of mental illness. What I have understood over the years that I watched people in the process of spiritual development is they tend to move from a self-centered existence toward a more other-centered and purpose-filled life. Experiencing the pain of mental and emotional problems tends to interrupt that process and pulls that persons eyes inward and away from any sense of meaning and purpose. I often think of ways to help that person see himself or herself in a new way, to overcome that tendency, to pull his or her eyes away from the pain and see things differently. In the end it is about helping one realize the value one has in the world and the purposeful life one can lead and the meaningful life that can bring.