The Journey of Breakthrough
Romans 8:28 — “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
At Breakthrough, we know that God works in all things for the good of those who love Him and have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). We believe God’s power and presence can break strongholds in our lives and lead us toward healing and wholeness.
As we considered what the journey toward breakthrough might look like in a person’s life, we identified three phases that can help guide the process: Stillness, Longing, and Reaching. These phases are also reflected in the Breakthrough logo, where each symbol represents a part of the journey a client may experience through counseling.
Phase 1: Stillness
Jesus forever by my side.
Core pillars of Stillness:
- Resistance: Difficulty acknowledging a need for change
- Exhaustion: Reaching a place where we are ready to let go
- Calm: Becoming open to change
Matthew 11:28 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
At the beginning of the journey is Stillness. In our logo, stillness is represented by water and a gentle wave, a reminder that Jesus is forever by our side. He invites us to lay our burdens down and find rest in Him.
People may enter counseling with a little or a lot of resistance to change. It can be difficult to acknowledge that something in life is no longer working or that additional support may be necessary to change the course of things. The idea of sharing personal struggles with a mental health professional can also feel unfamiliar or uncomfortable.
Sometimes, it takes reaching a point of bone-tired weariness with a situation before we become willing to let go of the belief that we have to navigate it alone. As resistance to going it alone begins to soften and openness to change grows, there can be a sense of relief and even calm. We begin to recognize that asking for help can be part of moving forward. This openness creates space for Phase 2: Longing.
Phase 2: Longing
I am longing for Your voice, a gentle whisper in the noise.
Core pillars of Longing:
- Openness: Becoming aware of a need for heart change
- Awareness: Recognizing the impact of our choices on ourselves and others
- Willingness: Longing for and embracing change
Ephesians 2:10 — “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
In the Longing phase, a person becomes increasingly open to growth and aware of the need for change. This phase is represented in our logo by an open road, a path forward. As God’s handiwork, we begin to recognize that He is at work in us and has prepared a path for us.
Here, change begins to move from something we simply recognize to something we desire for ourselves. We become more aware of what is happening within our hearts and minds and begin to see how our beliefs, decisions, and patterns affect both ourselves and the people around us.
With greater awareness comes the opportunity to look more closely at the choices we have made and the patterns we have developed. We begin to consider what we want to carry forward and what may need to change. As openness and awareness deepen, so does the willingness to grow and embrace healthier ways of living. Now we move toward the final phase: Reaching.
Phase 3: Reaching
Piece by piece, restore my heart. Take what’s broken and make it whole again.
Core pillars of Reaching:
- Action: Practicing new beliefs and healthy choices
- Movement: Embracing new beliefs and healthy choices
- Growth: Becoming more anchored in new beliefs and healthy choices
Psalm 57:2 — “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”
In the final phase of the journey, Reaching, we begin to see action, movement, and growth toward wholeness. In the Breakthrough logo, this phase is represented by mountains, symbolizing both the effort involved in growth and the journey toward something new.
During this phase, a person begins to put into practice what they have learned throughout the counseling process. They develop tools to better navigate their thoughts, build skills for responding to life’s challenges, and begin establishing healthier beliefs, choices, and patterns.
Growth does not mean that challenges disappear or that the journey is complete. Rather, these healthier patterns begin to take root, anchoring a person in a firm foundation for continued growth and equipping a person to navigate difficulties that arise with greater awareness and intentionality. As we continue reaching toward healing and wholeness, we trust that God is at work in us, fulfilling His purpose for our lives.
The journey of breakthrough may look different for every person. Stillness, Longing, and Reaching are not necessarily a perfectly linear process. We may revisit different phases as we encounter new circumstances and seasons of life. Through it all, we hold onto the hope that God remains present and at work as we move toward healing, growth, and wholeness. If you’re ready to begin your own journey of breakthrough, reach out to us. We’d be happy to connect you with one of our clinicians.
