On Wednesday Night, April 30^th, we will continue our discussion on counseling. Last time, we talked about being careful to discern the “worldview” of the professional counselors to whom we may be referred. Many professionals may not be offering us wise counsel from a Biblical model.

To take things another step, I recently read a review on the latest book by Dr Larry Crabb called “Connecting: Healing for Ourselves and Our Relationships.” For the last 20 years or so, Dr Crabb’s books were used in seminaries to teach ministers how to be professional Christian counselors. (I was required to read his books when I was in seminary.) NOW, he is questioning his own profession. He is not saying that there is no need for professional Christian counselors. What he’s saying is that many of the issues that Christians are dealing with may be more spiritual in nature than they are psychological. He is also saying that Christians without specialized training or degrees possess the power and wisdom to help the people around them who are struggling with the issues of life. This power he is talking about is from the Holy Spirit who enables Christians to “connect” with God and with each other in a way that brings help and healing with our struggles.

Maybe this is what the Apostle Paul was writing about in 2 Corinthians 1: “3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.”  As we experience things in life that draw us closer to the Lord and helps us to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, we should try to “connect” with others who are going through similar problems and help them find comfort and consolation in the wisdom and love of God.

So what do you think? Has the Lord equipped you to help others who are hurting?

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