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Do you feel as though you need some good counseling? Have you been looking for someone to talk to who can really understand your problems and give you very helpful advice? I’m going to tell you about a Wonderful Counselor who is available to you.
Who of us doesn’t need a good shoulder to cry on sometimes, a good counselor to help us from time to time. But I’ve observed that many of us are addicted to counselors and counseling, whether it is a casual discussion with a good friend or a session with a professional. Too often our first knee-jerk reaction to any situation is to find someone who can help us. To get on the phone and talk to someone or make an appointment with a professional counselor. We’ve been led to believe that we can’t solve anything without counsel.
I remember once when I was facing a personal problem and my first move was to call my best friend. Her counsel was good and she helped me gain perspective, which I badly needed. But as the days wore on, I found that I was calling her quite frequently, using her counsel like a painkiller or a quick fix to get me through the problem. Once when I dialed her number, there was no answer, and I felt panicky—almost irritated with her for not being there when I needed her.
And in the midst of this miniature panic scene, the Holy Spirit so faithfully spoke to me in words that could have been audible, they were so clear. He said to me: “You know, Mary, if you would spend as much time talking to the Lord about this problem as you do to your friend, you’d be a whole lot closer to finding the solution.”
My heart was stricken, as I had to confess that I had talked with my friend longer about my problem than I had talked with God about it. A passage came to mind from Isaiah 9 which speaks of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Verse six says that one of his names will be Wonderful Counselor.
As I remembered that verse that day, I made a promise to God that never again would I seek earthly counsel before I sought his counsel, and never would I spend more time with earthly counselors than I did with him. And once I went to my heavenly Counselor, the peace of God began to enter into my soul.
I want to encourage you to look to Jesus as your Wonderful Counselor. You’ll discover that he truly is the most qualified and the most understanding Counselor you’ll ever find. Before you pick up the phone and start calling or texting, before you spill your hurt to someone else, talk to Jesus. He is there for you, and he has solutions that work!