Why I Am A Biblical Counselor

I have been asked on a few occasions “Why do you do what you do?”  Also, “why did you leave the local church ministry?”  Both of these questions have basically the same answer.  I could go all the way back to when I was 15 and God called me to the ministry the first time to answer these questions.  I was on the side of the mountain in Glorieta, New Mexico talking with a girl about her relationship problems when I first heard God’s voice of calling me to the ministry.  I could go to the night that God called me and I finally said “yes.”  I was speaking to a group of teenagers about trusting God and I felt Him ask me “Are you truly trusting Me?”  I was using Proverbs 3:5-6 as my text (hence the name Directed Path Ministries).  I could answer the questions by referring to the classes I took in seminary on counseling that truly peaked my interest in counseling and had me wanting to learn more and actually practice what I was learning.  I do not refer to any of those scenarios to answer this question.

What I do refer to is what God has been doing in my life over the past several years.  While I was on a church staff, I began to do more and more of the pastoral counseling.  I began to study more and be trained in some different ways of counseling, all the while seeking God’s direction for my life.  When the time came for some major changes in my life and ministry, I believe that God birthed the vision for Directed Path Ministries in my heart and I began to pursue what I saw in my spirit.  Here are some of how God is using His Word to .

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NASB95)

16  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;

17  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

This passage of scripture has become my basis for the method of my counseling.  As you can see that God tells us that His word is profitable for the counseling experience.  As a Biblical Counselor, I take the principle of scripture to help teach individuals the truth of God’s Word and how it applies to life.  If needed, I then lovingly show them how their lives do not match the principle and how correction is needed.  Finally, I use scripture to help train the individual or couple in using the principle to equip them for the life that God has laid out for them.

Hebrews 4:12 (NASB95)

12  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

I have been asked about using other methods or modalities of counseling.  I have even been asked why I did not get my license in Professional Counseling.  I looked into getting an LPC but the place I did at the time did not recognize any of my work as valid nor did they see scripture as a valid tool for counseling.  I sought out a license through a Christian organization called Therapon and am now working on getting a PhD in Biblical Counseling through Masters Theological Research Institute.

This verse that I reference is another verse that indicates that scripture is the source for what God has called me to do.  God’s Word will separate the person’s emotional self from his spiritual self and communicates how to correct the differences.

Obviously there are many more verses, but for today these I believe give a good demonstration of why I am a Biblical Counselor.  I believe that biblical counseling can minister to all that struggle in the areas of relational, emotional, spiritual, and even some physical needs.

I would love for you to respond with your thoughts.