I find the study of people and problems (or “issues”) fascinating. I enjoy the discoveries in the “self life.” It’s a joy to meet with those who have repeating, negative patterns in their lives and then, during a discipleship-counsel session, watch the lights turn on for them. Many times, the simple recognition of a root cause “unplugs” its negative effect. It’s not that their problem goes away immediately, but their perspective changes and they are able to see the problem in proper context. Their problem is no longer overwhelming and can now be “managed” appropriately. It’s the laying aside of another “encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles” (Heb. 12:3).
HOWEVER, this is of secondary importance in Christian counsel; it is not the goal! “What?!” you say. That’s right. Examining the “self life” (“the flesh”) is like performing an autopsy on a corpse. You may learn a good bit about the corpse’s past, but you come away smelling like one—and you still haven’t produced any life! Knowing why and how you got where you are doesn’t provide the resource you need to carry you forward. At best, you may learn what not to do, but what is going to move you out of the insanity (doing the same thing expecting a different result)? Fixing the problem doesn’t necessarily fix you!
The truth is we need problems to keep us viewing ourselves rightly, “soberly” “not more highly than we ought” I’ve often thought of writing a devotion entitled “Saved by Sin!” If it were not for my known sinfulness, I would have no need of Christ! I believe my secret sins and rebellious acts have done more to evangelize me than my mother’s Bible stories, memory verses, Bible College or Seminary! I am thankful for my weaknesses, occasional feelings of emptiness, awareness of pride, emotional neediness and continuous obsessions on self. They all work together to drive me back to Jesus, my Salvation! Of course, I wouldn’t even be able to see my issues if it were not for the work of the Holy Spirit: convicting, convincing and leading me into all truth.
The real remedy is found in Heb. 12:1: “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” “He who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). The primary goal of Christ-centered counsel is leading people to experience Jesus in the moment. It’s simply witnessing to the inner workings of the Holy Spirit, who is using “all things” to bring the disciple into Christ. For the believer, it is simply turning our eyes to the One who has overcome the world and Who invites us to “take heart” in Him! “This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 Jn. 5:4). One moment in the presence of Jesus transforms our perspective (See Ps. 73), revealing the futility of our flesh and instantaneously wooing us to rest in Him, believing, satisfying our deepest longings, completing us in Christ and “resourcing” us with “everything pertaining to life and godliness in Christ Jesus” (2 Pet. 1:3).
In Him, and in the NOW, I can lay aside fear, anxiety, worry, doubt, panic, control, inadequacy, inferiority, intimidation, resentment, bitterness, obsession, condemnation, trying harder, self-condemnation, self –obsession, the pain of the past, stress, anger, slander, jealousy, etc., etc., etc… In any moment, I can pick them up again as well, but having been with Christ, and now abiding in Him, I recognize that what I invite in I can also invite out again. “Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).
It’s really just Jesus!
