In this modern life, stress is becoming more and more of a constant in peoples' lives. Millions of people of all ages have sought the advice of trained professionals when problems seem insurmountable. However, choosing the person who will provide this help is a step that must be taken with care. For Christians, faith-based counseling offers the probability that counselor and client will share common ground.
Counseling is difficult for many people to initiate. It is normal for troubled individuals to feel that they can handle their own problems. It is also usual for people who have serious difficulties with addictions - to drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, over-spending, or other self-destructive activities - to blame those around them rather than to accept responsibility.
Once the need for help is recognized and found acceptable, the choice of an advisor needs to be made. Since the world view of a Christian counselor will differ from that of someone with secular training and perspectives, it is important to find help that will follow biblical principles. Both client and practitioner should share foundational beliefs.
For instance, forgiveness is a fundamental rule and tool for Christians. It is human nature to hold on to resentment, hurt, and self-recrimination. Moving beyond a problem and making a fresh start is harder when bitterness and unforgiveness is not dealt with. Some programs of healing start with confrontation of others, not in a forgiving spirit but in a systematic understanding, acceptance, and 'bringing it all out in the open' manner.
The focus of Christian counseling is on the client's willingness to change self-destructive behavior patterns, understand and adjust expectations, and release past unhappiness in order to embrace future joy and stability. A faith-based approach can offer things like peace and hope in spite of circumstances that might be harsh. Secular advice can only focus on self-change and independent resolutions, instead of the help and guidance of a holy and loving God.
Focusing on God and His teaching helps people to take their focus off their past problems - which people can relive over and over for a lifetime - and move on to a relationship with God that helps them start anew. Changing themselves, in attitude and action, is key to successfully restoring relationships and beginning to live with hope.
Both counseled and counselor should have common ground on which to build a foundation of healthy emotional response and practical life skills. A person of faith will have a hard time trying to follow advice that is not based on biblical principles. Those who look to Christ for help will not find satisfaction in methods that do not follow His precepts of love, forgiveness, and trust.
Even within the faith-based counseling community, people need to carefully evaluate the credentials and track record of any person they are considering choosing for an advisor. It may be a good idea to stay within the denomination of both parties. Personal preparation with prayer is important, as well, for both client and counselor.
Counseling is difficult for many people to initiate. It is normal for troubled individuals to feel that they can handle their own problems. It is also usual for people who have serious difficulties with addictions - to drugs, alcohol, gambling, pornography, over-spending, or other self-destructive activities - to blame those around them rather than to accept responsibility.
Once the need for help is recognized and found acceptable, the choice of an advisor needs to be made. Since the world view of a Christian counselor will differ from that of someone with secular training and perspectives, it is important to find help that will follow biblical principles. Both client and practitioner should share foundational beliefs.
For instance, forgiveness is a fundamental rule and tool for Christians. It is human nature to hold on to resentment, hurt, and self-recrimination. Moving beyond a problem and making a fresh start is harder when bitterness and unforgiveness is not dealt with. Some programs of healing start with confrontation of others, not in a forgiving spirit but in a systematic understanding, acceptance, and 'bringing it all out in the open' manner.
The focus of Christian counseling is on the client's willingness to change self-destructive behavior patterns, understand and adjust expectations, and release past unhappiness in order to embrace future joy and stability. A faith-based approach can offer things like peace and hope in spite of circumstances that might be harsh. Secular advice can only focus on self-change and independent resolutions, instead of the help and guidance of a holy and loving God.
Focusing on God and His teaching helps people to take their focus off their past problems - which people can relive over and over for a lifetime - and move on to a relationship with God that helps them start anew. Changing themselves, in attitude and action, is key to successfully restoring relationships and beginning to live with hope.
Both counseled and counselor should have common ground on which to build a foundation of healthy emotional response and practical life skills. A person of faith will have a hard time trying to follow advice that is not based on biblical principles. Those who look to Christ for help will not find satisfaction in methods that do not follow His precepts of love, forgiveness, and trust.
Even within the faith-based counseling community, people need to carefully evaluate the credentials and track record of any person they are considering choosing for an advisor. It may be a good idea to stay within the denomination of both parties. Personal preparation with prayer is important, as well, for both client and counselor.
About the Author:
In order to become familiarized with faith-based counseling you should first review the information here at www.theotherapyseminars.com. For clear and practical advice, don't hesitate to check out this homepage on http://www.theotherapyseminars.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment