Acceptance

This book, Effective Biblical Counseling, for my Biblical Psychology class is very interesting. Seeing things from a different viewpoint was something I prided myself in through high school (seeing problems and "answers" to problems that others didn't quite seem to grasp, in my limited thinking, anyway), led me to apply at UMBC under a Psychology major. That summer before starting school, however, I found a great passion in computer workings, which I had been involved with all my life anyways.

Pastor Schaller was, in fact, just mentioning this morning about the new heart vs. old heart. How with the new heart we have a helicopter view of the situation.
As in Jeremiah 17:8 - For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.

Joseph didn't see heat when it came in Egypt, he was above the situation. He had a bird's eye view of all the comings and goings, positioned by the Spirit in that capacity. But even when the heat did appear, he was steadfast, blessed, and solid in his trust of the Lord. And even when drought and famine overtakes his life, man who trusts in Him is unfazed, because he is fed by a different source, the rivers of living water, never thirsting.

This perspective comes with the new heart, living in Christ. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

But back to the point of the post.

The true goal of counseling is NOT to be happy. The true goal of counseling is free people to better worship and serve God. As I glorify God, I will be filled with not happiness (hap- is based on circumstance [think of happenstance, happen]), but filled with joy, which is from within, and not from without, and not based on circumstance. Hence not being careful in the year of draught, and not ceasing from yielding fruit, even when heat comes (oppressive situations, difficult circumstances). Why?? Because our new heart is filled with joy from the Lord, we have a trust in him.

The most important thing in spiritual growth and maturity, which Biblical Counseling helps to achieve, the main barrier breaker, defense destroyer, is acceptance. Counseling is so much more than detecting sinful patterns of behavior and bringing the hammer of excision, conformity down (which secular counseling can stop at this point as well).

"As I look into my own life, the fundamental dynamic behind whatever spiritual growth has occurred has been a profound sense of God's unconditional love and acceptance, made possible through Christ's atoning work on the cross. When I experience the inexpressible thrill of acceptance, I am motivated to love God in worship and service."

Thinking of the abused child, withdrawn into his soul, defenses greater than the Great Wall, and no barbarians (you and anyone else) can ever get through to hurt him anymore. What can get through to him? What can reach through and tear down those walls? How can he let his defenses down when all he's known is pain and betrayal?

Love, God's Love for him. Accepting him just as he is, as Christ has accepted us, and we have accepted him. Secular counseling can leave out that infinitely important aspect. Acceptance. It's not just in informational session, laying on a couch talking about problems. Healing comes from Love, a deep genuine concern for the individual must be communicated if real character growth is to occur.

Just imagine the child, what does he need more than anything? Secular psychiatry may prescribe him drugs and behavior modification to open him up, which can be very necessary, don't misunderstand me. But he needs more than that, he needs to be spoken to his heart. Which as my previous diagram displayed, is the center of our being. He needs you to love him, as he is, not as a patient but as a hurting soul desperate for acceptance.

Praise you Lord for your love towards us, that we may pour out unto others.

Love always.