On March 12, 2016, I awoke to an email alerting me that I had been mentioned in an article published by Charisma News. The article, written by Jennifer LeClaire, warned Christians about psychics and mediums and questioned whether someone doing this work could truly be Christian.

She referred to me specifically, writing that “Troy Griffin argues that his ‘psychic calling’ is a gift from God.”

I did not “argue” that my calling came from God. I shared what I sincerely believed then—and what I still believe today.

My gifts come from God.

After the article was published, I offered to speak with the publication and with Ms. LeClaire. I was willing to participate in a respectful, adult conversation about my faith, my experiences and the work I had been doing. I wanted the opportunity to explain my beliefs in my own words rather than have someone else define them for me.

My requests were never answered.

For a time, that bothered me. It is difficult to see your name used publicly by someone who has never met you, spoken with you or taken the time to understand your life. It is even more difficult when that person questions something as personal and sacred as your relationship with God.

But with time, I came to understand something important: no article, critic or religious label can define my relationship with God.

My faith did not begin when I became a psychic medium. Christianity has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I pray. I believe in God. I believe in Jesus Christ. I have wrestled with difficult questions, asked for guidance and spent many years trying to understand why I was given abilities I never asked for or expected to have.

In fact, I never wanted to be a psychic.

When these abilities first became impossible for me to ignore, I did not immediately embrace them. I prayed about them. I questioned them. I asked God whether this was truly what I was supposed to do.

The answer I received was not about fame, attention or entertainment. It was about helping people.

For more than two decades, I have sat with people experiencing grief, uncertainty, fear and some of the most difficult moments of their lives. I have completed more than 14,000 readings and worked on more than 600 missing-person and cold-case files. I have spoken with people who needed clarity, comfort, direction or simply the reassurance that they were not facing life alone.

I do not use tarot cards, oracle cards, runes, crystal balls or other divination tools in my readings. I do not perform rituals, and I do not claim to replace God, prayer, personal responsibility or professional help. The information comes naturally—through words, impressions and feelings—and I share it as honestly and responsibly as I can.

I am the messenger. The message is for the person sitting across from me.

I understand that some Christians will disagree with what I do. Certain biblical passages are frequently cited when discussing mediums and divination. I respect everyone’s right to interpret Scripture and follow their own convictions.

What I do not accept is the belief that another person has the authority to declare whether my faith is genuine without ever speaking with me, knowing my heart or understanding my journey.

There is an important difference between asking sincere theological questions and publicly judging another person’s relationship with God.

I am not asking every Christian to agree with me. I am asking people to look beyond a title, listen to the complete story and consider the fruit of the work. Does it bring comfort? Does it encourage healing? Does it help someone move forward? Is it offered with honesty, compassion and responsibility?

Those are questions worth asking.

Over the years, I have learned not to take every criticism personally. When someone writes or speaks about you, consider the source. Consider whether that person made an effort to understand you. Consider whether the message comes from compassion and a sincere desire for truth—or from fear, assumption and judgment.

People may debate what I should call myself. They may debate whether the words “Christian” and “psychic medium” belong together.

For me, they do.

I am a Christian.

I am a psychic medium.

My faith comes first, and I believe the abilities I have used to help others are gifts from God.

I am not ashamed of either truth.