TALK TO THE COUNSELOR

WINSDAY WISDOM 226

My twelve-year-old grandson, Cooper, recently went on a three-day middle school “bonding trip.” The hiking and camping also included all kinds of fun things to do for the students to get to know one another better. The group participated in games, rock climbing, zip lines, and a ropes course.

Cooper was very excited. His youngest sister, six-year-old Madisyn, was not. Madi teared up as she hugged her big brother good-bye.

She became so sad when Cooper left school with his backpack. Madi went to her first-grade teacher to inform her of the reason for her tears. The teacher gave Madi a hug and a stuffed animal to hold.

Madi returned to the teacher’s desk a short time later. She told the teacher she was still sad. “I think I need to go talk to the school counselor.”

She is in the first grade. My life experiences of talking to the school counselor were always connected to accountability for some wrong action.

I feel quite certain the counselor was compassionate and very entertained by the talkative Madi.

Do you ever feel like Madi, needing to talk to someone about your feelings?

Maybe you are feeling sadness, grief, loneliness, depression, anger, or anxiety. You might be seeking advice, sympathy, or encouragement. Some people seek counsel for legal, medical, financial, marital, or spiritual concerns.

The definition of counselor is someone who gives advice. You might be surprised that there are over one hundred specific references to “counsel” in the Bible.

More importantly, the entire #1 Textbook is profitable for counseling. Its author is referred to as the Wonderful Counselor. His Words advise us what to do and what not to do in all situations. It also includes what to do when we did what we were not supposed to do.

My mother was that kind of counselor.

My mother loved to debate – particularly with her brothers and sister (The Floyds – as they were affectionately known around our home). She loved to get in discussions on tough subjects with her three boys, her best friends, or students.

She saw these discussions (which sometimes seemed like arguments) were great teaching tools. MOM WOULD OFTEN ARGUE ABOUT A POINT SHE DIDN’T REALLY BELIEVE.

She wanted her students and particularly her sons “to think.”

“Don’t settle for the pat answers or buy into a system of thinking – think for yourself” she would say. She pushed us to think and argue beyond the simplistic. (Borrowed from the writings of my younger brother, Joe)

None of her sons really know how well we learned her lessons, but we are all immensely thankful for her attempts.

God’s #1 Textbook teaches all of us HOW TO THINK RIGHT ABOUT LIFE.

I believe most people LIVE A LIFETIME WITHOUT EVER THINKING that the GOD who created, redeemed, and adopted them into His family might have PROVIDED COUNSEL FOR HOW TO LIVE A SPIRITUALLY PURPOSEFUL AND PROFITABLE LIFE.

They ask others for counsel, but never listen to the Lord’s counsel about life and love. They never think about God’s counsel.

You do not have to do what everyone else does. That is not just counsel from my mom. That is counsel from God. This culture’s counsel is wrong. God teaches you to think differently and walk a different path.

God’s Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). God has numbered all my steps (Job 31:4).

“I know the good plans I have for you.” (Jeremiah 29:11). Do you really think God intends to keep His plans secret?

None of us need to go through life guessing about God’s plans. Many of us have memorized the well-known verses from Proverbs 3:5-6. Yet, we fail to honor them when we need counsel. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and never lean on your own decisions. Lean on God and He will always point you in the right direction.”

I find it strange that many church leaders will quote and tag those verses, but not use their counsel in real life stuff.

Years ago, I was invited to attend a Church Growth Conference in Houston sponsored by the denomination’s experts on that subject. I had been offered to pastor a new church in the Houston suburbs.  

The conference was enlightening. The four well-prepared motivational leaders shared all the important geographical information, marketing research, and social surveys. They talked at length about their church marketing strategy which included purpose, values, communication, age-group involvement, resources, and evaluation techniques.

The leaders presented specific examples from some secular companies. They even had a back-up strategy to guarantee the new church would grow and thrive.

I raised my hand to ask a question, “If you are recommending a church follow the growth strategy of the Pepsi company, then why would you need to seek the Holy Spirit’s counsel and leadership?”

I guess I listened to my mom about learning to think for yourself by reliance on the #1Textbook.

The response was dead silence. I kid you not. Almost ninety seconds of awkward quiet. Finally, with no acknowledgement of my question, the speaker went on to her next point about marketing.

She remarked that their studies revealed there was a real market for “ME” churches. The surveyed people were seeking a “What about ME” church.

Since that time, many seeker -friendly churches have grown up and thrived. I was not asked to pastor one because of my last question.

In question time, I was reluctantly called upon again. “Did you ever consider that when a person begins to follow Jesus that he/she becomes less of a “ME” person and begins a journey to becoming a person more concerned about “LOVING OTHERS”? I don’t think the Bible would ever describe a true church as filled with “ME” people.

They cut off my microphone as I quoted, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me as I live the life of faith in the One who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).

For those of you who might listen, Jesus LIVES in us to LEAD us to others He intends to LOVE through us. To love them first and to love them most.

God’s #1 Textbook is full of training in wisdom about purpose, values, strategies, and decision-making. It is far superior to the Pepsi Co Super Bowl marketing strategy and even supersedes Coca-Cola, in case that is your soft drink preference.

God’s Word specializes in preparing you for greater happiness and usefulness in loving others first and most.

If you need help, talk to the One who declares Himself to be your Wonderful Counselor.

Do you know you do not even have to ask for permission to talk to the Wonderful Counselor? I hope Madi and each one of us learn that lesson well. The Counselor’s door and heart are always open. He already knows your situation. He never turns you away. There is no difficulty beyond his expertise.

The Lord directs our steps (Psalm 37:23). I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch your progress (Psalm 32:8).

God cares and God understands and God counsels. His counsel is wonderful and perfect. It is also all-sufficient.

The counsel of the Lord stands forever (Psalm 33:11).

God’s Word is the only mirror for your soul which can unscramble your mixed-up thoughts. God’s #1 Textbook is absolutely sufficient for every decision you will make in life.

Lord, teach us to number our days that we might have a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90.12).

The next time you have those feelings, just whisper, “I think I need to go talk to the Counselor.”

Well, I am going to sign out of this session in full agreement with the Psalmist (Psalm 73:23-25). I hope you will join me in that same endeavor.

God loves me and always holds my hand. God will keep on guiding me (and Madi and you) all my life with His wisdom and counsel, and afterwards receive me into the glories of heaven! Whom have I in heaven but my Wonderful Counselor? And I desire no one on earth as much as Him!

LOVE YOU!