Episode 79 | When Failure Leads to Trusting in God with Betsy Mejas, LCSW, BCCC

In this episode of Faith Fringes, Dawn interviews Betsey Mejas. Betsy is an EMDR consultant and the owner of the Abundant Life Christian Counseling group practice in Georgia. In this episode, she talked about integrating spirituality, overcoming failures, and God’s plan and purpose. 

About Betsy Mejas and Her Practice

Betsy is the founding owner of Abundant Life Christian Counseling. She is passionate about training up the next generation of faith-based therapists. Her group practice currently has 11 team members and growing. Abundant Life serves people in Winder and Athens, Georgia.

Betsy started her career journey as a social worker as a case manager for child welfare. She felt led to open Abundant Life Christian Counseling in 2018 after hearing her Pastore, Jason Britt, quote John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Betsy and her team believe everyone deserves to live a more abundant life.

Overcoming Failure and Being Vulnerable

Betsy opens up about how she overcame a big failure in her life - being an ESL (English as a Second Language) kid who barely spoke English and running for student council in fourth grade, only to fail miserably. However, she learned from that experience and overcame her fear of public speaking to become a successful therapist who guest speaks at churches and trauma conferences.

Overcoming failure is a common theme in personal development and self-help literature. Many authors argue that failure is an essential part of success and that it's important to embrace vulnerability in order to grow and learn from our mistakes.

One book that touches on these themes is "Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead" by Brené Brown. In the book, Brown explores the idea that vulnerability is not a weakness, but rather a strength that can lead to greater connection, creativity, and resilience. She writes:

"Vulnerability is not weakness, and the uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure we face every day are not optional. Our only choice is a question of engagement. Our willingness to own and engage with our vulnerability determines the depth of our courage and the clarity of our purpose; the level to which we protect ourselves from being vulnerable is a measure of our fear and disconnection" (Brown, 2012, p. 34).

This quote speaks to the idea that being vulnerable and embracing failure is an essential part of personal growth and development. It takes courage to face our fears and put ourselves out there, but it's only by doing so that we can truly learn from our mistakes and overcome our challenges. By sharing her story of failure and vulnerability, Betsy is demonstrating this principle in action and inspiring others to do the same.

God's Plan and Purpose

Betsy shares how not getting into law school was devastating at first, but it eventually led her to become a therapist. She believes that God has a plan and purpose for everyone, and her journey has been a windy road, but she is grateful for where she is now. Betsy speaks about how she came to realize that not getting into law school was actually a blessing in disguise as it led her to her current career path as a therapist. She believes that everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan and purpose for everyone. This idea is supported by Dallas Willard, who once said, "God's plan for your life far exceeds the circumstances of your day."

Betsy's own words echo this sentiment, as she reflects on her own journey and how it has led her to where she is today. She says, "I gained clarity later. When my first semester at the MSW program, I met an attorney that was changing careers because she found out that every time couples would come to divorce, she would try to mediate and get them back together... Where does God interweave with all that for you? It's a windy road."

This quote highlights Betsy's belief that even though the path to her current career was not a straight one, it was all part of God's plan for her life. She sees the twists and turns along the way as opportunities to learn and grow, and she is grateful for where she has ended up

Setbacks and Challenges Can Lead to Growth and Purpose

Betsy Mejas provides valuable insights into how to integrate spirituality and soul care into therapy. Her practice, Abundant Life Christian Counseling, incorporates scripture, prayer, and spiritual direction into therapy, which can provide clients with a more holistic and meaningful approach to healing. Additionally, Betsy's personal story of overcoming failure and following God's plan and purpose for her life is inspiring and relatable, reminding us that setbacks and challenges can lead to growth and purpose.

Links And Resources Faith Fringes Connect With Betsy: Website| Abundant Life Christian Counseling