My Testimony

I grew up in an extremely religious Christian home. Every Sunday meant church service, every Wednesday was youth group, and every summer held weeks of Vacation Bible Camp and Vacation Bible School. I have many fond memories from those years; moments that would later shape my walk with God in ways I could never have imagined. My upcoming memoir, My Father’s Daughter, will delve deeper into those early years, but one moment stands out as a turning point. 

When I was fifteen, my parents; concerned about the influences around me; decided to send me to an all-girls Christian Greek high school called Nikos, which in Greek means “victory.” At Nikos, the Bible was our central study. Sundays were spent in church, and the Word of God filled our lessons and our lives. Over time, I realized that what my spirit truly longed for was a personal relationship with Jesus. Though I had grown up surrounded by faith, I had to rediscover who He was to me. 

When I returned home from Nikos, it was during a season of great personal loss. My father was battling cancer, and I came home to be with him during his final days. His passing marked a turning point in my life, one that stirred a longing to know God on a much deeper level. I could sense the Holy Spirit speaking; guiding, nudging, and protecting; though I didn’t yet know the path that guidance would take me on. 

During that time, I began to develop a thirst for understanding; not just for Christianity, but for the beliefs and practices of others around the world. I wanted to understand why different cultures worshiped the way they did, who they worshiped, and what their origin stories were. What I discovered was that many of these stories shared striking similarities; most spoke of a great flood, a redemptive figure, and a call to transformation.

Years later, as I continued to seek God's guidance and live out the lessons from my youth, I found myself stepping into a new chapter of creativity and purpose. In 2017, I began an interior design business; Tina Marie Interiors, a creative outlet that allowed me to bring beauty and harmony into people’s homes. Yet by 2023, something within me began to stir. Though I was grateful for my success, my spirit longed for deeper fulfillment. I had always been drawn to help people. Friends and family often came to me in times of hardship for guidance, encouragement, and prayer.

During that season, I began to pray fervently for direction. One night, I laid down to pray and asked God to reveal my next steps; to show me the calling on my life that I could feel so strongly but could not yet see. I fell asleep praying, and when I woke, I heard and felt the Holy Spirit clearly: “Become a minister.”

At first, I had no idea how or where to begin. I only knew that this was a divine instruction, and that obedience would be my offering. I began researching reputable paths to ministry, not a quick online ordination, but a process that required dedication, reflection, and a heart of sincerity. I came across an organization that asked applicants to submit an essay-style letter explaining their calling, background, and faith journey. I poured my heart into that letter, prayed over it, and waited.

When I received the email that the elders had approved my application, my heart was filled with joy. I knew it was confirmation from God. That same organization offered ministry courses, though at first, I didn’t explore them deeply. I continued to pray for direction, and once again, one night as I slept, the Holy Spirit spoke clearly: “Pastoral counseling.”

I followed that prompting. As I began to research programs, I discovered that the same organization through which I had become licensed also offered pastoral counseling coursework. I enrolled and within the very first few course titles, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks. One of the course names was the same as the name I had already chosen for my future practice: Root Cause Wellness Coaching and Counseling.

That moment confirmed everything. The Holy Spirit was truly guiding me. Doors continued to open. I found the perfect space to house my practice; and I was able to design and assist in renovating the entire fourth floor of the building. Everything about it felt divinely orchestrated.

But within six months of that breakthrough, I entered what I can only describe as a season of spiritual warfare like never before. The enemy came against me in waves—attacking my family, my finances, my health, my mind, and even my identity as a child of God. Each time I found a moment of peace, another trial began.

Looking back, I understand now that this was the refining fire Scripture speaks of; the kind that purifies and strengthens the vessel God intends to use. At the time, though, I was weary. Despite my prayers for reprieve, the battle intensified. The enemy tried to pull me back into old patterns; sinful thoughts, reactions, and behaviors that I had long surrendered.

The final and most devastating blow came through the unexpected death of my son-in-law, one of my children by love and heart. That night, I returned home from my daughter’s house, walked through my front door, and collapsed in anguish. With my hands raised to heaven, I cried out: “I reject this reality. This is not what I want. This is not what my family needs. I can’t do this anymore. I give up! I'm done!” And in that raw, broken moment, I surrendered completely. I didn’t understand the “why”, and truthfully, I still don’t. But I submitted my will fully to God.

In the months that followed, I immersed myself in prayer. My connection with the Holy Spirit deepened beyond anything I had known before. Slowly, I began to accept that God sees and knows far beyond what we can comprehend. Though my heart still wrestled with questions of “what if?” What if I could’ve done more, what if I’d said something different; the same quiet truth kept echoing: “God knows things you don’t.”

I may never understand everything that happened in that season, but I’ve come to accept that I was being refined for purpose; the kind of refining that prepares a vessel for divine use. Scripture says: “I will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested.” (Zechariah 13:9)

Even now, I face opposition. People question the authority of the Bible or attack my identity in Christ, but I know who I am and whose I am. Like Paul wrote, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

The truth is, no one walks this earth without struggle. The flesh wrestles daily with the Spirit, and only one has ever walked without sin, Jesus Christ (Yeshua). He knew we could not do it on our own. He came as our Redeemer, the bridge back to the Father, the embodiment of grace, compassion, and humility. Where the Spirit of Christ brings unity, peace, and love; the enemy brings division, confusion, fear, and pride. But we are not called to live in bondage to fear. We are called to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, clothed in truth and walking in love.

Today, my mission; through Tina Marie Ministries and Root Cause Wellness Coaching and Counseling, is to share the understanding and revelation that the Holy Spirit continues to pour into me. My heart is to reach those who feel lost, lukewarm, or uncertain in their faith and to remind them that there is hope through Jesus Christ.

We do not have to live in a constant state of fear or division. Through Christ, we can rise above, united as one body, walking in humility, compassion, and truth. “For where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Together, through faith and obedience, we can move mountains.

Blessings,

Tina Mahoney, CPasC, CPLC

Certified Life Coach|Pastoral Counselor|Writer|Spiritual Leader

Root Cause Wellness Coaching & Counseling~

Tina Marie Ministries