Counseling

It seems that in a world that increasing loves introspection and therapy, what recourse does a person have when faced with a life they cannot control?

There’s an answer, you know.

It’s not easy, and it’s not cute.  It’s almost counter-intuitive (a phrase I’ve grown to love which loosely translated, ‘doesn’t make sense naturally speaking’).

This world makes sense when we view it through the correct set of lenses.  That lens isn’t standard issue, although the need for corrective vision is indeed native to the human condition.  We are all born a little near-sighted, in fact, some may say all we can really see is ourselves, and that not that clearly.  In a world we know we cannot control that by almost all accounts appears ‘broken’, we find ourselves in need of an answer and a fixer.

I believe that in the Bible we are given not just the most accurate description of our need as humanity, but the most powerful answer.

In a nutshell, what has been popularized as “psychology” – literally the study or science of the soul, has been addressed in God’s word and when applied by God Himself through the Holy Spirit results in a transformed life.  What pop culture therapy refers to as progress, growth, healing and cure is really a placebo for the real cure of transformation, as we become what we were intended from the inside out – like a butterfly from its chrysalis more than a jalopy getting a paint job to hide its age.

The Word of God refers to this change as discipleship – following someone so closely you start becoming like them.  For the Christian, its becoming more like Jesus.  Change, real change in the life of a fallen human being seeking their purpose in this life comes this way.  It’s a journey that begins with a decision.  But it is a  journey, and that is where counsel comes into play.  This is the practical application of this as we live in community.  If you have questions and wonder what life looks like through the lens of the God who created it, feel free to call or contact me and we can walk that walk – together

Rob Baddeley is a certified Biblical Counselor through the National Association of Nouthetic Counseling, an organization dedicated to training and equipping biblically based counselors) with 18 years of pastoral counseling experience.