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Every Christian Should See a Counselor

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Category: Blog, Counseling, Marriage, The Gospel

I believe every Christian should spend extended time with a counselor. Now, I know that’s a provocative statement, so let me explain.

ChristianCounseling

Years ago, I was listening to a message by a pastor I respect, and he was talking about how he and his wife go to counseling. So, I went home and told my wife, Libby, and after chatting about it, we decided to give it a try ourselves. And you know what? It helped each of us tremendously.

As I reflect back on my time in counseling, I can identify four characteristics of a great counselor:

  • Someone who is empathetic.
  • Someone who is helpful.
  • Someone who is wise.
  • Someone who comforts.

We find this word “counselor” in Isaiah 9:6:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and he will be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (emphasis mine)

The word for counselor here is ‘yaats’ which means to advise, counsel, plan, or to urge certain directions, actions, or thoughts.

And in Isaiah 11:1-3, this word pops up again, and we learn that this child was given the Spirit of counsel, making him the greatest counselor the world has ever seen.

He’s the greatest for four simple reasons (they might sound familiar):

When I say I believe every Christian should spend extended time with a counselor, this is the counselor I’m talking about: Christ the counselor.

I want you to have an appointment with the best counselor who ever lived. Set up an appointment. Share your heart with him. Then experience his empathy, strength, wisdom, and comforting presence in your life.

Pete Briscoe is the Senior Pastor at Bent Tree in Dallas, Texas, and co-leader of Telling the Truth – a multi-faceted media ministry he shares with his parents, Jill and Stuart Briscoe. Click here to sign up for his daily devotionals. 

Posted on December 22, 2016

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