We talked about the phrase “Tell me about it,” which is one a faithful counselor will be regularly asking because he is interested in facts—not in guesswork. But there’s another phrase, heard too often, that he should learn to avoid.
“What’s that?”
The phrase is, “How do feel about that?”
“What’s wrong about that phrase? Aren’t you in the business of helping people feel better?”
Absolutely not!
“No? Then why do you counsel people?”
First, please understand—if, as a result of counseling someone feels better, that’s usually a good thing—a plus. But that’s not the goal.
“Aren’t you concerned about people solving their problems?”
Certainly.
“Then, isn’t that the same thing as helping them feel better?”
Not as a goal—often, as a byproduct, yes.
“Now, I’m really confused. Can you explain further.”
Sure. Our goal—above all else—is to help people honor Christ in their problem, by thinking and acting in ways that will please him. Often people come for relief from their problems—they’re not concerned about pleasing God—they want relief, a solution to some problem. But we must aim at helping them honor God by whatever He wants them to do about it—that is the top goal of all. If
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