SAFETY IN CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING
Memorise:
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of
counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14
Bible
in a Year:
Genesis
44-45; Psalm 107:23-32
Read: Acts 27:30-37
30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship,
when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would
have cast anchors out of the foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the
soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32 Then the
soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And while the
day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the
fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken
nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your
health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.35 And
when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of
them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat. 36 Then were they all of
good cheer, and they also took some meat. 37 And we were in all in the ship two
hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
Message:
Counselling is used to describe the process of giving
advice or suggestions to another person in order to help solve their problems.
It is a situation where an individual that has problems comes to a person
called a counsellor for guidance on what to do. It is true that there are many
approaches to counselling. There is for example, the patient-oriented approach
to counselling. There is the behavioural or stimulus-response contiguity
approach, and there is the humanistic approach which is postulated on the
premise that man possesses the capability of moving from a state of
maladjustment to a state of adjustment when a threat-free, acceptable and
conducive psychological climate is established. However, the safest form of
counselling is Christian counselling. This approach involves trusting the
Trinity (the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost) as the sole
solution to all problems.
Every child of God should be involved in Christian
counselling. Three entities are involved in Christian counselling. First, the
Trinity is involved. He is the invisible and the infallible Counsellor. Second,
there is the visible human counsellor and lastly, there is the human counselee.
The Church should give serious attention to Christian counselling. The body of
Christ should begin to develop seasoned counsellors to help solve the myriad of
problems brought to her. Counselling involves communication. A Christian
counsellor should therefore be a good conversationalist. Additionally, the
human counsellor should receive training in the art of counselling and human
relations. Such a person should also have emphatic understanding, patience and
humour. He or she must be sociable and friendly, and possess at least an
average intelligence quotient. A counsellor should equally be one that
demonstrates consistent mature behaviour. The person should have respect for
other people’s ideas, opinions, line of thinking and philosophy. Regard for
other people’s worth and dignity as human beings irrespective of their economic
status is also a necessary attribute. He or she should be alert to the feelings
and non-verbal expressions of others, such as facial changes during
counselling, and maintain honesty, confidentiality and self-evaluation. It is
required that all Christians should endeavour to be good counsellors. Pastors
and ministers of the gospel should be involved in Christian counselling,
especially guidance counselling. Are you a pastor? It is mandatory for you to
be a guidance counsellor. You should encourage the counselling department and
stimulate the interest of church workers and other ministers in counselling.
Seek to bring solutions to the problems of others. Be involved.
Action Point:
Pastors, encourage your counselling department with good
offices, computers & accessories.
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