Wonderful Counselor - Part 2

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Isaiah 9:6

Yesterday I wrote about my - our - need for a Wonderful Counselor. I am so thankful that I know Jesus in such a personal way. My life is filled with bumps, detours, and derailments as it always has been, yet, with Jesus, I (usually) find unexpected joy in them. At the very least, I learn a little bit more about walking by faith, growing up a little bit each time I trust Him.

It's not enough to know that Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, we must choose to rely on Him to have a life filled with joy in the adventure - and even joy in the routine. :) The first step, of course, is the relationship: admitting you have sinned, believe that He died on the cross for your sins, and confessing that He is now Lord of your life.

Life's problems don't magically disappear when you ask Jesus into your heart though. He comes in, in the midst of our pain, hurt, confusion, and offers us the opportunity to follow His plan for our life. Wherever we are in life, new believer, lifelong believer, Jesus wants to walk through life's ups and downs with us. Jesus knows the struggles we face. He has been tempted in every way, just as we are.

How do we "get" this wonderful counseling from Jesus?

1. Be honest. We can't overcome our problems if we hide them - from ourselves or from others. God already knows what's happening in our lives, but He waits until we're ready to deal with them to help. He doesn't force us to make wise choices. He doesn't manipulate us into doing the right thing. He waits - He wants it to come from our hearts.

In the TV series, The Biggest Loser, "hiding" is a big issue. Season after season, the trainers confront contestants with their personal lies: I'm not good enough, I have no will power, I eat because my parents weren't there for me when I was little. Each season, contestants who find the true source of their overeating - it's never about the food - are able to break through and claim victory. Those who confront the hurts buried deep inside have the greatest life change.

What masks do you wear? Are you hiding your hurts, pains and doubts from God? He won't help if you don't open up to Him. In opening up to God, you open your heart to yourself. Then, He can go to work!

2. Listen. Going to traditional counseling involves sharing our problems, and then listening to what the counselor has to say. Generally speaking, counselors are trained to help fix problems in people's lives.

However, human counselors don't always get it right - like the one who advised me to "admit I was abused." (See yesterday's blog if you want more details.) We can turn to music, self-help books, talk show hosts, horoscopes, and friends - but none of these can see into our hearts. None of these knows us as well as God does. (Like I said yesterday, counseling is good when it's needed: clinical depression, family headed toward divorce, drug, alcohol, food addictions - all can be helped by the right counselor.)

God, though, wants to guide and direct us. He wants to give us a life free from the burdens of this world. He wants to help us navigate the twists and turns - His way. When we trust him to guide and direct us, we can overcome the pains and heartbreaks in this world. We can live a life of hope, love, and joy. Awesome, right?

3. Just do it! If we listen to God - but do not act - we don't actually get where we're going.

Looking back to my experience with a counselor, I heard her loud and clear. I knew exactly what she wanted me to do. I am confident she believed it would help me overcome and move on. Yet, I didn't do it. Instead, I "heard" God screaming "NOOOOO!" and listened.

What if I'd listened to her? I am not sure, but I can guess my parents and I would have had some pretty ugly discussions - me confronting them for their wrongs and demanding apologies, "or else." Only God knows how it would have been.

But, by listening to God, my parents and I have a different relationship. I didn't ignore my childhood hurts. I DID ask God to show me the truth. I DID ask God to help me reconcile my hurt with reality. I DID ask God to remove the "masks." I DID ask God to help me forgive what needed forgiving and let go of the rest.

As a result, I understand that my parents raised me during tough economic times. I understand that my mom's own tough childhood left her without a good example for doing it differently. I understand that my parents are very proud of who I am and cheer for me like nobody else. What more could I ask for?

We must listen to what God tells us to do, follow His Word, not horoscopes or t.v. talk show hosts! James 1:22-24 says, "Do not deceive yourselves by merely listening to the Word, you must do what it says..." It's time to step out of our comfort zone. It's time to stop thinking "what about me" and instead ask "God, what about You? What should I do so that in my life You are glorified?" We don't need information. We need to live by faith, in a real relationship with God.

Thank You, God, for loving me so much that You sent Jesus on that very first Christmas day. Thank You for His wise counsel. Help me celebrate the truth this Christmas. Let my life be your Christmas gift. I am forever grateful. Amen.

[Special thanks to my Pastor, Matt Fry, for allowing me to take his sermon on our Wonderful Counselor, and give it my own spin.]