Encouraging the Counselor

One of the reasons we Christians are exhorted to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together is to encourage one another. Pastors, counselors, and others who work with people in counseling situations week in and week out meet many challenges. It can, at times, be discouraging. Who encouragers those who encourage others? We need someone we can talk to ourselves. It is important that we not only help others but allow others to help us too.

Recently, Dr. Tim Clinton in an issue of Christian Counseling Today gave some encouragement that can be applied to those who counsel others. His three simple steps include:

1) Accept responsibility. This is at the heart of being a Christian, especially a Christian caregiver. He writes, “Successfully disciplined people don’t make excuses; they face adversity and make the necessary mental, emotional, and spiritual adjustments.”

2) Seek wisdom. I am convinced that wisdom is actually having real insight into the true nature of things. The Scriptures are full of wisdom. Wisdom was incarnated in Jesus Christ. If we lack wisdom, we can ask God who promises to give it to us liberally. 

Clinton states that he believes seeking wisdom involves surrounding yourself with godly people who will both encourage and challenge you. It also includes reading. Most of us watch too much TV and read too little. He states that the average adult reads only two books a year.

I once read over a hundred books in one year. It was a busy time, but I gleaned so much from that marathon of reading. Now, I am in the mode of reading 12 to 15 books a year. This is a number I am working to increase. Reading is fundamental, and a person who is well-read will have more insight into the true nature of things. A professor once called reading the greatest education in the world. Of course, we must never neglect reading and studying the Word of God first and foremost.

3)  Develop a plan. Clinton writes, “Take steps now toward a better life. Act and execute with discipline and determination. That is the purpose behind continuing education requirements.”

As I have worked on my continuing education requirements over the years, I have taken courses, read books, listened to instructors, etc. I have grown and I have learned from that process. I also have noticed something about myself: when I sit down and come up with a plan, a schedule, and some goals, I can accomplish more. It indeed requires discipline, time, and effort, but it is worth it. Most of our plans need to be adjusted but it is much easier to adjust a plan if you have a plan!

Organizing without over-organizing our lives is a key. It is easy to become too structured and scheduled and it is just as easy to give up on organization altogether. God has not called us who counsel to always be successful, but He has called us to always be good stewards of what He has given us.

Clinton notes that he discovered a new definition of tragedy, “being successful in things that do not matter.” We can be efficient without being effective. We can be alive and not really live. We can burn out in our caring role and get to the point where we stop caring but keep on going through the motions. It is imperative that we organize our lives without over organizing so that we can have some balance between work, study, recreation, hobbies, family, and rest. 

The biggest tragedy in God’s Church occurs when God’s people become ineffective because they lose sight of their goals, get lost in the details, or turn away from really walking with God. We can maintain a freshness and vibrancy to living and to our counseling work, but we must work at having balance in life. Accepting responsibility, seeking wisdom, and developing a plan may sound like simple steps, but those steps can be stepping stones to a healthier, holier, and more effective life.

James Rudy Gray is certified as a professional counselor by the National Board
for Certified Counselors, and is a member of the American Association of
Christian Counselors. He pastors Utica Baptist Church in Seneca, S.C.