“Counseling”

I put the word counseling in “ ” for I don’t like the term as nearly all people think of someone educated and equipped to help another through and out of a difficult place mentally, relationally or emotionally.  The thinking of most is that help can be had apart from repentance and God. I think that too often the focus is on the “counselor” as the source of help when it is really Jesus!

I find great strength in the story of the man controlled and uncontrolled who encountered Jesus which brought about a radical, new life for him.  Found in Mark 5, the man who lived among the dead in a cemetery area — yelling and cutting himself, unclothed and unable to be restrained — was visited by Jesus and found himself calm, dressed and in a good mental place (v. 15).  WOW!

That is so powerful and helpful – the impossible made right!  I say, “Go God!”

From that story and others, I talk about a CAST CLUB that renders HELPS.

This is my approach to helping those troubled, in lieu of the common idea of “counseling”.

Explained:

CAST – Christ Alone Solves Troubles!

Christ alone.  A good “counselor” is simply one who points to Jesus and talks and tells of Jesus – the Wonderful Counselor, Isaiah 9:6.  [See Musing #1032]

And Jesus uses CLUB people.

CLUB – Compassionate Longsuffering Unvarnished Believers

That is, the people Jesus uses as “counselors” are true Christians – those who have confessed their sins, embraced Jesus as their Savior and are daily following Him as their Lord. Thus, they love others as does God.  They are compassionate toward the broken, defeated, hurting, despondent, weak, weary, agonizing, struggling, sad, consumed, sick, overcome and hopeless.

Furthermore, they get into the life of the broken one for the long haul – they are Longsuffering.  It is not a “one and done” or a series of sessions and then good to go or anything short of all it takes for as long as it takes.  It is much like parenting, especially mothering.  The one is helpless, needy, demanding, at times stinky, and clingy and as a good mother, longsuffering through many days AND nights and for years.

Lastly, they are unvarnished.  That is, they are not a phony, two-faced or lacking integrity.  Unvarnished means declaring the truth – the whole truth – and nothing but the truth – done timely, carefully and in love.

So, the true “counselor” is one like Jesus who is used by Jesus to touch lives for Jesus!

AND the “counselor” renders HELPS:

Hugs – sometimes no words, just be there.  Stand alongside. Touch with words, cards and time.

Encouragements – quote promises, cite verses, bring up past victories.  Cheer God and truth!

Leadership – here is what to do, what to try, a verse or Bible story to claim, a thing to pursue.

Prayers – this should be a given. Hold them before God. It might be a prayer team is formed.

Services – sometimes it is doing things for the one in a bad place.  They might need transportation, the house cleaned or a bill negotiated.  Be their hands and feet.

A Christian “counselor” renders HELPS.

So rather than “counselors”, it is Jesus alone who uses mature and strong Christians who engage the “needy one” in any number of ways over many, many days with the truths about sin, transgressions and iniquity (Psalm 32:5) and the salvation, healing and restoration in Jesus coming through confessions, submission and obedience.

There is hope and help in all situations and for all!!