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Post by Travis Jackson.

In The Shadows

A man came from across the Jordan River. He was from a poor family in an out of the way place. Moody would be the best way to describe his demeanor because he seemed prone to big mood swings. One day euphoric, and the next day he might appear as though he was depressed. His appearance is a little sketchy at best, but we do know he was “hairy.” The 13 years he spent in ministry might seem short, but the drama involved would have been something to see. There are only 7 miracles accredited to him during his time in ministry. Much like the man, those miracles were larger than life and worthy of much respect. Timid would not be a good word to use when trying to illustrate his personality. Who is this man? Why it is Elijah the prophet. He was great in many ways. He is by far one of the most remembered of all the Old Testament prophets, but was he the most accomplished? 

            There was another man who came from a wealthy home located in Abel Meholah which was in Israel proper. All indicators tell us he was even-tempered. The Biblical account also tells us, in contrast to Elijah, he was “bald.” (II Kings 2:23) His tenure of 25 years in ministry is to be admired by modern-day ministers who can usually only hope to last for that long. He managed to be credited with 14 miracles, although they were minor when compared to Elijah’s great exhibitions of God’s power. Unlike Elijah who dealt with powerful, worldly figures, this man was at home with the common people. His ministry even started slow in the eyes of most because he spent the first ten years ministering to Elijah. By now one might have already guessed his name, Elisha. 

            Both Elijah and Elisha were appointed by God to be the lead prophets of Israel. They both acted as trainers of younger prophets. Their miracles also played key roles in the judgment and restoration of Israel.

            There are many insights to be found in the lives of these two men of God. The first thing that jumps out would be that God has made each of us for a unique role in His service. Notice that their key differences were suited to the different roles God wanted them to play in his plan. Elijah's bold personality and miraculous deeds were needed to call the nation back to God from the brink of total apostasy. Elisha's compassionate miracles for the common Israelite provided them a needed reminder of God's faithfulness to them when they were faithful to him. 

            The second lesson comes in on the heels of the first lesson. Success is faithfully fulfilling God's role for you, not how you compare to others or how much approval you get from others. Whose life was more successful: Elijah's or Elisha's? Most who lived during Elijah's life and afterward regarded him as more successful than Elisha. Throughout his life, Elisha lived in Elijah's shadow. Was he then less successful? Elisha asked to receive a double portion of Elijah's spirit, and God granted his request. Elisha never had the kind of public fame Elijah had, but his life was successful in the only eyes that really matter, the eyes of God.

            From a ministers perspective empathy overflows for Elisha. Having spent most of my working years owning my own company, serving under the leadership of others is a point of personal struggle. I see so many in the ministry today doing things that they are not equipped to do. Hence they seem to be ineffective where they serve. The importance of serving in the area God has designed us to serve will make or break a ministry. In the 12 years I have spent in the ministry I have seen so many people, who were called by God, but serving in the wrong area become discouraged. Some of those have even left the faith altogether. In contrast I have met several who serve where they are called and gifted. Many of whom are the unseen heroes of the faith. They serve faithfully and never get the accolades that a senior pastor might receive, but they are rewarded in ways that are beyond the imagination. 

            I once imagined my life as a combination of Jeremiah and Elijah. To some extent the Jeremiah comparison continues to be valid, but these days Elisha’s is a better fit that Elijah. I thought I was in my area of giftedness, but God has opened several doors I never noticed before. My role has always been quiet, behind the scenes, educating people in small group settings. Being in the shadow of the “Pastor” seems to have been my role, and I am blessed in the ministry God has given me. 

Truth, when accompanied by direction and encouragement, provides an uncomplicated way to talk with people in a counselor-client relationship. The Bible teaches, truth without love ugly, but love without truth can be equally ugly. When I show the love of God to others I must offer His truth, His admonishments, and His encouragement, or I have not represented an accurate picture of the true God. Without equality in all areas I only portray a caricature of God, not the real character of God.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

One of the most basic things I learned from the study of counseling is that everyone has a unique approach. Every client seeking help will vary from the next and will respond differently to a range of therapeutic approaches. Much like the clients, every therapist will be different from the next having come from diverse “schools of thought” and possessing various experiences which have shaped the way he or she helps clients.

Overview

            I believe effective counseling needs to speak the truth in love, be rooted in scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, accurate, and mature. But even with all of these attributes, counseling must include those portions of truth found in secular psychology. A Biblical foundation is essential to correctly diagnose problems presented to a counselor. The ultimate root of all of the problems people experience is sin. First, sin separates us from God. Second, sin also separates us from each other, and that separation is revealed through sociological problems. Finally, sin separates us from ourselves which, in this case, reveals itself through psychological problems. I believe the Bible teaches that there is the ability to have substantial healing in all of these separations.

Fundamental Principles

            There are some fundamental truths that guide my philosophy of counseling. The principal belief is that God did not make us to live totally isolated, independent lives separated from one another. In the Bible God uses the analogy of sheep to describe people. The analogy is referring to the fact that sheep are animals that need a lot of care. God is the Chief Shepherd, but He also appoints others to share in the responsibility of guiding those he has created. That is where, I believe, counseling fits into the equation. Although there are offices within the church at large, there is still a need for counseling those who might never be able to have personal contact with pastors, elders, or other “church” leadership. When is counseling necessary? There are some specific times, and I will no doubt leave out one or two, when counseling is appropriate and necessary. Counseling is necessary when someone faces major decisions such as marriage, career choice, and spiritual direction. Counseling is also necessary when someone faces crisis issues such as divorce, job loss, major or long-term illness, financial loss, the death of someone near, and physical, mental, emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse.  It is necessary at times of unresolved conflict as might happen in family relations, employer-employee relations, other social relations, church relations, and civil relations. Moreover counseling may become mandatory when someone faces addictions such as substance abuse (drug, alcohol, nicotine, and food), sexual addictions, work, ministry, or entertainment addictions, and fantasy addictions. There are also times of emotional needs such as fear, anger, jealousy, bitterness, hate, suicide, depression, doubt, and guilt when counseling can be of benefit. There are so many situations that could necessitate counseling such as needing excessive amount of sleep, getting too little sleep, or having nightmares, excessive daydreams, and when you experience physical problems without a known physical cause. Counseling, even within the church setting is important when someone becomes spiritually unsure or confused about salvation from sin, a relationship with God, their spiritual future, or living a proper spiritual life. There are Biblical standards that form the basis for my approach to counseling and helping others in general. Throughout the New Testament there runs a system, a pattern for helping others find their way to healthy living. The Bible speaks of truth as the foundation of this system. Ephesians 4:24-25 gives us this mandate, “And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another.”

Truth

            Truth is an interesting word. Jesus used the phrase, “I tell you the truth,” approximately seventy-eight times (NIV) in the New Testament. Truth must be transmitted between counselor and client for there to be real break through and progress during counseling sessions. If either party holds back, or lies the problem might never be resolved, or at best, the therapy would be akin to placing a small bandage on a four inch knife wound. Schaeffer (1968) made the issue of truth a pivotal issue when talking and counseling with people, “All people, whether they realize it or not, function in the framework of some concept of truth.” (p.143) I absolutely affirm his belief in human nature. People are true to their belief system. If their belief system is based on untruth, that is, if they do not have a true picture of reality, their lives will continually bump into the obstacles that are placed before them. However, if someone bases their self-concept on the truth of the way things really are, although not always smooth, life will make more sense, and good choices will become easier to make. For instance, if a client presents a problem with alcohol, they would be exhibiting a belief through behavior inconsistent with the truth presented in scripture. The Bible gives us this truth in Romans 13:13-14, “Let us live and conduct ourselves honorably and becomingly as in the [open light of] day, not in reveling (carousing) and drunkenness, not in immorality and debauchery (sensuality and licentiousness), not in quarreling and jealousy. But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts).” The next step beyond recognizing the truth is admonishment.

Admonishment

In 1Thessalonians 5:14 the Apostle Paul writes these words, “And we earnestly beseech you, brethren, admonish (warn and seriously advise) those who are out of line [the loafers, the disorderly, and the unruly]; encourage the timid and fainthearted, help and give your support to the weak souls, [and] be very patient with everybody [always keeping your temper].” Although this passage deals with believers, I believe we should apply the same principles to those who are believers and those who have not yet believed. When talking to believers we can, more often than not, appeal to scripture to help someone understand where they have drifted from the correct path. When dealing with non-believers our approach should entail illuminating the problem. I believe the gift of discernment is mandatory for someone who counsels others. One must be able to see past the conversation to find the core of the issue at hand. Asking good questions are the keys to the admonishment. If I ask the right questions, I can help the client come to the proper conclusion about their situation, and hopefully help them discover the remedy for themselves. As in the drinking scenario a therapist might point out the negative economic side to drinking. They might also point out the negative relational aspects by asking, “Does your personality improve when you drink? Do you tend to have marital troubles while drinking?” There are many other questions one might ask, but the point of admonishment should be to help the client visualize the problem. Once the client has the problem identified in a somewhat tangible way, the next step is proceeding to encourage them to better future behavior.

Encouragement and Comfort

It is my job to pass on the comfort and encouragement I have received from God. My inspiration comes from a great passage in 2Corinthians 1:3-5,

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),

    ⁴Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.

    ⁵For just as Christ's [[a]own] sufferings fall to our lot [b][as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them] abundantly, so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us.

The Bible says I am to share the encouragement and comfort I have received from God with others who as suffering. Having been through trials of my own I often use reflections of those times to help show the power of God to those I counsel. When speaking with someone in the alcohol abuse scenario I have been using, I would try to reveal to them the underlying issue that causes them to drink, and then help them formulate a mental picture of what life would be like without drinking. I always try to end with showing them how, with God, all things are possible.

Final Truth

The truth saves and gives life. It protects us, and helps to guide us into life-giving relationships. I believe the truth, given in a proper manner, can warn people of danger. I believe it can also point out the path to safety. I believe truth, admonishment, and encouragement combine to form a solid three-fold system for helping people to overcome their problems in a Christian setting. For me, the most important quote I have ever read concerning psychology and counseling comes from Dr. Henry Cloud, “Psychology’s sound research and theories have been very helpful in dealing with people’s problems, but they actually only serve to illuminate and support the principles of growth and healing that have always been in the Bible.” (p.201)

References

Cloud, D. H., & Townsend, D. J. (2004). How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals

           About   Personal Growth (New Ed ed.). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Schaeffer, F. (1968). God Who is There: Speaking Historic Christianity into

          the TwentiethCentury.. Chicago: Inter-Varsity Press.

Zondervan. (2006). Amplified Topical Reference Bible (Bible Amplified).

          Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Karley and Jake Owen