I was reflecting the other day about why is there a stigma for those who get counseling in the church (we’ll call them “counselees”) and it hit me! It’s because there are 2 groups of people:
Counselees
and
Those who think they do NOT need counseling
2 groups of people – 1 stigma. The group that THINKS they do not need counseling do not understand two things:
1) First, counseling is simply pin-pointed discipleship focused upon a specific problem area. It is not something just for “crazy people” – that’s a worldly idea of counseling. Biblical counseling relies on the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to bring change.
2) Second, these people mistakenly see counseling as something that “weak people” need. By default, these folks are thinking that they are strong, at least temporarily at that moment of time. They are trusting in themselves and relying upon self more than Christ.
I would submit to you that #2 above really scares me about the state of thinking in the church today. We are all weak, needy, and dependent people in need of Christ at ALL times, especially when we are feeling strong (which may be a prideful delusion)!
So I would say to those who do NOT want “crazy” people who need counseling in their church fellowship that they are targeting the wrong people! The real “nut jobs” are those trusting in themselves, thinking they are strong, and do not need any counseling!
Proverbs 3:5-8 would seem to say the same thing:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
Healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones only comes as you “be not wise in your own eyes” humbling yourself to the point of receiving biblical counsel!
-Mark (the crazy people are not who you might think; take a closer look!)
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Great post! I have seen people that really need the one on one discipleship, but refuse it because they do not want other’s knowing their struggles or they’re afraid that it will become fodder for gossip. Whatever the thinking, it comes back to pride.
Call me crazy! I’ve been the recipient of biblical counseling and have been so blessed by God’s care for me shared through others!
We ALL need biblical counsel and discipleship! The stigma of counseling needs to disappear in the church and Christians need to humble themselves that they need the help of other believers. I know I do.
-Mark
I loved this. It really helps me to explain to people what counseling is all about and truth be known, we all need counseling on a regular, continuous basis . And, yes the real nut cases need too take a very close look at themselves and know that they would benefit from regular continuous counseling on a daily basis. I am having a hard time finding a church for Bill and I to move to because churches, as a majority these day are preaching what people want to hear, not what they need to hear. We will all be accountable for this come judgement day. Also, sometimes I feel that people think they have all the time they want “to play” and not be serious yet about the Lord. It knots my stomach to see this happening. Thank you Dr. Mark for not being afraid to tell the truth and not worrying about whether it’s going to hurt someone’s feeling, step on toes or think people may leave you and your convictions to go elsewhere where they can hear what makes them feel warm and fuzzy, not have the fear of our Heavenly Father we should have. Thank you Dr. Mark for all you do and for calling sin sin and not giving it the words the lay people want to label it. Guess that’s what I enjoy so much about TIL. It tells it like it is. I’ve seen too much in the lay world of psychology to know it does not work.
See u soon,
Cindy Graham
HELLO MARK………..THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU I WAS WORKING WITH THE VILLAGE…….TODAY I’M ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF SHEPHERDS FOLD……THE FOLD IS GOING THRU A REBUILDING PROCESS…..FINANCES, PROGRAM ISSUES AND MOST IMPORTANTLY “NOUTHETIC COUNSC FOUNDATIONING!! I HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS NOUTHETIC COUNSELING CREDENTIALING FOR AWHILE. RIGHT TO THE POINT……IS THERE ANY SCHOLARSHIP $ OR HELP WITH THE JULY19 TRAINING? IF SO COULD YOU GIVE ME A HEADS UP……GOD BLESS YOU BILL HOSS