Suffering and Christian Counseling
Suffering and Christian Counseling
Christians do have their own unique worldview. As a Christian, my worldview is based on the belief system of Jesus Christ. This makes me have the desire to do all things based on God’s commandments, and to please Him. I view psychology as the source of guidance in helping people live a healthier and happy life. Therefore, help in eliminating sin>(Entwistle, 2010, p 45).
As a counselor to those who are suffering, I should a Christian worldview to counsel those in pain and suffering. I should ensure that I do not emphasize pain to a point where the main goal is to alleviate suffering. It is necessary to be an excellent listener so that I can provide the counselee with excellent advice. Listening to clients will help them gain confidence and trust in my counseling.
Another critical factor is to avoid showing condemning or judgmental spirit. Even when the person might have sinned in the most unthinkable ways that have led to his or her suffering, I should not condemn them. My goal should be to identify sin, and to replace condemnation, disgust, and anger with concern and sorrow. My advice to the client should be based on the Christian worldview and the worldly advice.
The aim of Christian counseling is not to remove all suffering, but to glorify God through his son Jesus Christ. For God to be glorified, it is necessary for us as Christians to be satisfied in Him. This is because suffering within the universal human experience threatens to undermine the faith we have in God and His goodness. Suffering also threatens to undermine the glory we should be giving to God.
Therefore, on our daily life, the conversations I have with my clients should aim at drawing us closer to God even in our suffering. I will help other people realize that suffering is part of the real reason as to why we have to be satisfied in God.
Reference
Entwistle, D (2010) Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity. Eugene, & Stock publishers, p 45
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