God’s Independence and Self-Sufficiency
Good counseling flows downhill from theology. If we get our theology proper, we’ve got a a lot better chance of getting our counsel proper. The identical is true on the subject of the character and being of God. All of life must be traced again to God Himself—even the way in which we counsel. Particularly the way in which we counsel, whether it is to be biblical.
One usually missed attribute of God that ought to form devoted shepherding and counseling is His independence. God alone is actually self-sufficient, needing nothing from anybody. As He declared in Exodus 3:14, “I AM who I AM.” This attribute, often called aseity, signifies that God doesn’t depend on creation for something—He doesn’t want our reward, love, or worship to be full. Whereas we’re created to glorify and love Him, He stays unchanged whether or not we accomplish that or not. In distinction, human beings are inherently dependent. We’d like love, care, and group to thrive, and with out them, we not solely languish, we finally won’t survive.
Reflecting God’s Independence in Counseling
Whereas God is totally impartial, people are totally dependent, as Scripture reminds us: “In Him we dwell and transfer and have our being” (Acts 17:28). We can not exist other than God. Neither is it true that we will exist other than others. This notion isn’t extra evident than within the case of a new child toddler, totally dependent upon caretakers to offer. If biblical counseling is to mirror God’s character, it must also mirror His independence. This doesn’t imply counselors grow to be self-sufficient in the way in which God is, however reasonably that their care shouldn’t be depending on these they shepherd.
For instance, counselors don’t want validation from these they counsel. They don’t require constructive suggestions, approval, or gratitude. Whereas it’s pure to hope that counselees will obtain steering effectively, affirmation is just not the measure of success. This precept is probably much more obvious for these in pastoral ministry—faithfulness is just not decided by whether or not folks say after a sermon, “That was such a blessing.” The calling is to be devoted, no matter human response.
God’s Unconditional Love and Trustworthy Shepherding
This idea of self-sufficiency should not be misapplied. Somebody may argue, “I’m only a truth-teller; I don’t care if folks obtain my counsel.” That perspective distorts true biblical independence. On the coronary heart of this concept is unconditional love—the type of love that flows out from one to a different and doesn’t rely on whether or not the recipient is lovable or receptive. Trustworthy counseling means giving away—anticipating nothing in return.
Biblical counselors ought not have any designs upon those they take care of, no want for counselees to offer again. After we actually grasp this notion of God’s independence, particularly His unconditional love, it frees us in ministry to easily be devoted.
True shepherds proceed to like and care no matter what they obtain. They pour themselves out in service to others, whether or not their efforts are acknowledged or not. This stands in stark distinction to the false shepherds of Ezekiel 34, who feed on the sheep as a substitute of feeding the sheep. A superb shepherd loves and serves, impartial of affirmation, reward, and even “success.”
Redefining Success in Counseling
This understanding additionally reshapes how we outline success in biblical counseling. Success is just not measured by outcomes however by faithfulness. The central query is just not, “Did my counselee reply positively?” however reasonably, “Have I been devoted? Have I cared for the one the Lord has entrusted to my care?” This most assuredly consists of rightly dividing the Phrase of fact and rightly understanding the individual earlier than us, each of that are important to loving them effectively.
If our intention is to be “poured out as a drink providing for the sake of [our counselee’s] religion” (Phil. 2:17) reasonably than looking for affirmation or private acquire, then that’s success. That is self-sufficient success—faithfulness in caring for one more that’s impartial of their response. Is that this not how our loving Father cares for us? And may we not do good to others in the identical means our Father does good to all, in order that we could also be like Him (Matt. 5:45)? Could our counsel emulate God’s independence, loving and serving others no matter what we obtain in return.
Questions for Reflection
- In what methods may you be tempted to rely on counselees for encouragement, validation, or a way of success, and how are you going to guard in opposition to this whereas remaining loving, compassionate, and engaged?
- How does recognizing God’s independence and self-sufficiency form the way in which you method counseling, significantly by way of your want for affirmation or constructive suggestions from these you counsel?
- How are you going to domesticate a counseling follow that displays God’s unconditional love—caring for others faithfully no matter their response—whereas avoiding a indifferent or unloving perspective?
