Counselor

I honestly never intended to become a counselor. I am much more excited about the cutting edge research in biological aspects of the brain, trying to figure out a physical reason why someone behaves the way that they do. I think this is due to some of the treatment I have received being so horrific that I would much rather be able to say they have an actual mental illness that can be diagnosed through scans and blood work, then they are just a broken person being a jerk.

The traditional view of counseling to me has always been one on one sessions or group therapy where it takes hours upon hours to break through the heart of the issue. The therapist mostly listens and provides affirming feedback. There is 100% value to this form of therapy, but it has never attracted me to set out my shingle and go into practice.

One of my favorite passages of scripture is Isaiah 61. The whole thing! Every little bit is so good and like a healing balm to my soul. If possible, read these 11 verses out loud to yourself.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.

He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.

Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards.

You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches.

Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

“For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Their descendants will be recognized and honored among the nations. Everyone will realize that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.

The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.

Wow, every time I read this passage it hits me that this is what Jesus said about himself as he began his earthly ministry. My number one goal in life is to follow Christ, to follow his example as best as I can, so this means that this is also the call on my life. I greatly desire to see people set free from the lies, I want to see people trapped by bad choices walk in freedom, I want to comfort those who mourn as a priest of the Lord. It is this very passage of scripture that spurned my desire to go into pastoral counseling. This means that it is the Word of God first, and psychological theories and techniques second.

I can also read this passage and rest in the promises listed there. That God loves justice, that instead of shame I will get double honor for my suffering, a crown instead of ashes, that I am personally clothed by the God almighty with salvation and righteousness. When I think about all the big questions in life, known as existentialism (my focus in counseling), they are all answered in this passage and I want to be able to help others be able to walk in the freedom I have, too. This is why I am a counselor.