Author: Garrett Higbee

Helping a Friend in Need

Helping a Friend in Need

Posted by | Sep 1, 2021 | |

In over thirty years of counseling, I have come to believe that godly friends are invaluable in providing wise care. That’s why I often ask counselees to invite a friend into the process. More importantly, the Bible is clear that one of the sweetest things about friendship is the counsel of someone who knows us and cares for us well (Prov. 27:9). But perhaps you feel intimidated or inadequate to help counsel your friends. Most of us have no professional training, no degrees in soul care. Maybe you aren’t even feeling all that put together and wonder what business you have giving anyone counsel? Continue Reading →

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Helping Marriages Get Unstuck from the Past

Helping Marriages Get Unstuck from the Past

Posted by | Mar 31, 2021 | |

In my years as a counselor, one of my biggest frustrations has been married couples coming to me after trying other counseling that did not help or, in some cases, made things worse. The couple comes in skeptical because of the significant time and money they invested with little progress to show for it. More concerning still is the fact that they are close to losing hope (Prov. 13:12). I wonder how many marriages have capsized on the rocks of unbiblical or incomplete counsel. The most obvious reasons for marriage counseling to fail are a lack of focus on the gospel, not opening the Word of God for direction, and not submitting to the Spirit for transformational change. But even with a faith-based approach, we can fail those who come to get help for their marriages. Continue Reading →

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Helping People with Loneliness and Temptation

Helping People with Loneliness and Temptation

Posted by | Nov 13, 2020 | |

A few years ago, I wrote a small group study looking at ten of the one another verses in Scripture. I was struck by the repeated commands to love one another by encouraging, praying, bearing with, and comforting one another (to name a few). In the Creation account, the Bible points to the clear interdependence for which we were created (Gen. 2:18). That’s why the current social isolation only adds to the profound problems associated with loneliness. Feeling alone and disconnected is increasingly prevalent in our world today. It’s not surprising then that even secular social scientists talked about an epidemic of loneliness in the U.S. even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The forced social isolation in the last several months has only exasperated the consequences of an increasingly disconnected society. Continue Reading →

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Anchoring Our Souls during the Storm

Anchoring Our Souls during the Storm

Posted by | Jun 5, 2020 | |

In the last few months, our world has been turned upside down by the Coronavirus pandemic. It has been one of the most disruptive and disturbing seasons I have seen in my lifetime. No matter what your opinion is on how it originated or how the government has handled it, we can all agree it has impacted everyone. I think one of the best things I have read about its impact is, “We may be in the same storm, but we are not all in the same boat.” Storms like this call for people to pull together, to show empathy, and to be slow to judge. Each person and each family has their own story of loss, anxiousness, and moments of frustration. Some have taken heroic risks; others are uniquely vulnerable, and many are isolated and afraid. No matter the individual situation, the power of God’s promises and the strength of His character is like an anchor that steadies us all. Continue Reading →

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Helping Counselees with Blind Spots in Counseling

Posted by | Mar 13, 2020 | |

Pride is the most dangerous of sins because it creates huge blind spots in our character and can lead to an unteachable spirit. If pride is left unchecked, we can grow callous to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. But how do we show someone their pride? How do we stay away from condemnation and move to deep conviction when they seem clueless or even caustic? How do we keep the hope of the gospel front and center in counseling? Continue Reading →

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