Biblical Counseling
A Doctor’s Perspective
Dr. S.I. McMillen spent many years studying Jewish and Christian writings in search of biblical principles and directions for living. As a result of this research he wrote the bestseller book None of These Diseases, which describes the physical consequences of wrong living. He pointed out that there may be sin in the picture when aches and pains show up: Peace does not come in capsules! This is regrettable because medical science recognizes that emotions such as fear, sorrow, envy, resentment … [Read more...]
Normal Reactions To Reproof
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, (2 Timothy 2:24-25 NKJV). What is your reaction when a friend confides, “I’m going to be very frank with you.” Do you grasp his hand and pull him to a chair so he can sit down and tell you your shortcoming? Do you shout for joy that another glimpse of your true nature is … [Read more...]
How Sin Affects the Body
Are we sick, sinful, or both when we hurt? Medical researchers have recently expressed the opinion, that destructive emotions are caused by a chemical imbalance in the body. But I ask the question, is it possible that a chemical imbalance in the body could have been caused by destructive emotions? It seems obvious to me that since sin is so easily cleansed, the presence of sin should be explored first. A pastor questioned me about this issue. Someone in his congregation had suffered from … [Read more...]
Hindrances To Self-Discovery
The first step toward peace is to discover yourself. The second is to square up with the truth you find. You will get fleeting glimpses of your true self (and sometimes a very clear picture) as you interact with other people, as you read the Bible, and as others minister to you. Yet the average person usually resists facing up to his faults. Quite likely he will reject anyone who points out his error. Jesus Christ gave the precise explanation for this reaction when He said, “For everyone … [Read more...]
Joy Doesn’t Depend On Perfect Behavior
Though right living enhances joy, no person can attain perfect behavior all the time. Joy must be found in a source other than our behavior. When would you be able to rejoice and have great joy if it depended on perfect behavior? Striving toward perfectionism you cannot attain, keep, control, or manage may push you toward losing your joy. Philippians 4:4 states, “Rejoice in the Lord, always.” Some translations render it as, “Rejoice always.” How many have ever accomplished that? If … [Read more...]
Pouting and Sulking
Have you ever been around people who sulk or pout? Pouting or sulking is a way to get your way. It is selfishness. Most of the people I counsel are adults and many are experts at pouting. If I say something in a counseling situation that they do not like, they show their displeasure by protruding the lips. What does pouting look like? 1. To exhibit displeasure or disappointment; sulk. 2. To protrude the lips in an expression of displeasure or sulkiness. You can recognize it in others. At what … [Read more...]
The Biblical Counselor’s Resource
Your specialty is a comprehensive knowledge of the Bible and absolute confidence that it is God’s sure guide for all people. When you preach, teach, or counsel, you stand straight and talk in the confidence that you are the custodian of the most important information in the world. You may look to other disciplines for help in perfecting your interview technique in counseling, developing your skill to listen objectively, or to learn how to help the individual tell his story. But your view of … [Read more...]
What Is My Problem?
I previously published this article a few years ago. However, all of us need a refresher on this subject. In fact, this article is essential reading for anyone who is serious about overcoming anxiety, stress, and frustration. Let’s first set the context by considering this passage from Proverbs: Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8 One of our responsibilities as Christians is to … [Read more...]
Not By Our Strength
Have you ever tried to love somebody you do not like? It is hard to do. You can try. You can do good things for people you do not like. By doing good things for people you do not like you may confuse your human ability to act with the empowerment of God’s Spirit and think you are loving them. There is no place in Scripture where God says He will empower you to use your human abilities to love people. That is not what God does. He empowers us with His Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 states, “And do … [Read more...]
We Can’t Do Without You!
Final exams before graduating from college had just been completed. A group of my friends and I rejoiced that we were finally finished with the university experience and were all going into full-time ministry. We went to the gym to play basketball and work off the tension and stress of finals. I discovered there is a way to rebound a basketball and a way not to rebound the ball. I went up for a rebound and the ball hit my little finger bending it backward and breaking it in the joint. I … [Read more...]
