I’m a counselor. I’m not a psychologist — I’m a pastor that asks the Holy Spirit to help me help people through some of the rough patches in their life. Rarely do I spend more than several sessions with any one person, couple, or family. Often I’m their first “last resort.” They haven’t been to a “counselor” yet & may even need to see a physician. If a person can get through those low moments of life they usually go on to live well. It’s not unusual for someone to have suicidal thoughts or feel as though their marriage is doomed or think they will never be able to adjust to a loss. Talking to someone else can help them see it for what it is: a season that will pass, & when it does life will once again be worth living.
Frankly, some people come to me because there is no charge & others just to say that they’ve tried everything. I even went to talk to the pastor about it but nothing helped, they’ll say. They were never really interested in change, only in getting their spouse off their back or easing their own guilt. However, I believe we’ve seen some real miracles for those who sincerely cry out to the Lord for help. Even if all we’ve achieved is peace of mind for one day – when you’re in the middle of a crisis that can be a miracle in itself.
When I shared in this column about preaching, I said there are two elements to preaching well: preparation & desperation. In counseling, there is no preparation other than years of experience with one’s own struggles with life. Sure, there’s a lot of reading & studying that can be of some assistance too, but mostly you approach each crisis with a desperation that knows that if God doesn’t show up – if the Lord doesn’t speak – nothing of any value will happen in the session.
I’m a counselor … chances are you are, too.