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What’s wrong with earthly counseling? There’s nothing inherently wrong. In fact we are urged to seek advice and counsel when making decisions, and all of us need trusted people in our lives to give us godly counsel. That’s part of how the Body of Christ should work together. However, earthly counsel is subject to problems.
For example, earthly counselors can be wrong—dead wrong. They may be sincere and they may be truly trying to help you, but there is nothing to guarantee that they are right. Only your Wonderful Counselor, Jesus Christ, is one hundred percent right all the time.
The wrong earthly counselors often lead people to be self-focused, and that is a sure road to depression! Counsel based on God’s Word will lead you to acceptance, and away from self-centeredness and anger. The Wonderful Counselor will heal you of bitterness, instead of creating it. He’ll teach you forgiveness, and this brings release and freedom from depression. He’ll show you how your past, or your present circumstances, as bad as they seem, can be used as an instrument of good in your life if you will allow it.
Keep in mind I’m not talking about denial. Certain situations from our past need to be confronted, recognized, brought out into the open and dealt with. And when that is done biblically, the result is that the person is freed up to go forward and be used of God in his kingdom.
I think of a woman who had one of the most horrible childhood experiences anyone could endure. She talks about it and has written about it, but her whole message is that Jesus has healed her and has enabled her to live with the past. And in her lifetime God has used her mightily in the lives of others, because she has put behind her the pains of the past. And who has been her counselor? Who brought her to this stage? Jesus, the Word of God, prayer, family and friends – in that order.
We have a Wonderful Counselor, ready at all times. Go to Him when you need help.