For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His
name will be called […] Counselor…
Isaiah 9:6
As my boys grew up, I would tell them Bible stories of David and his mighty men, hoping that this would encourage them to become men of God. I wanted to get across the necessity of faith and courage – or at least that’s what I had in mind.
In eighth-grade English class, one of the boys was studying heroes and was given a writing assignment to tell of something heroic that he wanted to do. He began his paper, “I want to kill 1,000 men.” He went on to tell about standing up to great odds like David’s mighty men and doing what was right in the face of danger, but that didn’t matter. The teacher read the first sentence and then marched my boy off to the guidance counselor’s office. For the next five years, he had to make regular visits there, even after moving on to high school.
Although the whole situation was misinterpreted, I do understand it. There are a lot of mixed up people in our world today, and counselors are there to help them work through those issues so they don’t self-destruct or hurt others. However, human counselors are limited in how much real help they can offer. Those taking anger management classes or addiction seminars usually repeat these courses many times.
Jesus Christ is the great Counselor and can set people free from the emotional pretzels they get twisted into. Grief, anger, depression, drug and alcohol addictions, and doubt can produce physical and emotional pain that robs people of joy and peace. Christ came to this world to take away the burdens that weigh people down. By coming to Jesus in prayer, people are able to cast all their cares upon Him.
Everyone who is overloaded with anxiety can find help for their souls in the heavenly Counselor. No appointment necessary.
December 14
