Let’s imagine a situation…

One day you’re at Bible study. The lesson is great. You’re learning more about God and thankful for a group that values biblical interpretation and solid theology. As time wraps up, you move on to prayer requests. Typical things are shared: prayers for family, non-Christian friends, etc. Then, someone decides to take it a step deeper. They share how they’ve been having anxious thoughts because of a hard situation at home. They’re having trouble sleeping at night and are desiring more comfort and peace in their life. The room goes quiet. What do you say?

“…Have you considered seeing a counselor about that?”

———

The above situation is a common one. Maybe the struggle isn’t with anxiety. Maybe it’s sexual temptation, feelings of sadness, or dealing with grief. But often the response is the same: “…Have you considered seeing a counselor about that?”

I’m not against professional Christian counseling. Far from it. After one of my close friends passed away from a battle with cancer, I talked with a counselor for multiple weeks. It was extremely helpful and I’m thankful for it. I’m not even against the wise use of medication in certain mental health situations. However, I am concerned with what I often see as Christians’ mindless deferral to “professionals.”

There are many reasons for this. Our secular society has fully embraced the “therapeutic mindset.” This is the idea that personal problems must be dealt with through a deeper understanding of “self,” brought out through the carefully trained dialogue of a professional counselor.

Writing over 60 years ago, philosopher Philip Rieff predicted the outcome of this mindset in his (shockingly prophetic) book, Triumph of the Therapeutic (1966): “Religious man was born to be saved; psychological man is born to be pleased. The difference was established long ago, when ‘I believe,’ the cry of the ascetic, lost precedence to ‘one feels,’ the caveat of the therapeutic. And if the therapeutic is to win out, then surely the psychotherapist will be his secular spiritual guide.”

Without realizing it, many Christians have embraced the idea that any hard personal struggle must be met with professional formulas. These are the same personal struggles that, until 60 years ago, were exactly what normal Christian friends and pastors were expected to help with.

With the rise in mental health issues – and what are classified as mental health issues – the demand for professional counseling far outpaces the supply.

Again, I’m not saying that Christians shouldn’t see professional counselors. It’s the other side of the coin that I’m concerned with. Christians have become too comfortable deferring people to counselors, rather than equipping themselves with Biblical wisdom to help their friends walk through hard struggles.

Take a simple analogy: My wife is a much better cook than I am. If someone’s hungry, I’ll quickly defer and send them her way. It’s easier for me… and everyone’s happier. The problem is if the demand becomes more than she can supply. I need to learn how to cook something so she can make the best food for the right people.

This is what’s happening in our culture. And Christians, more than anyone, have the tools to help. Why?

Because we have the Word of God.

It’s God’s Word that helps us deal with the real and hard struggles that people face. You don’t have to be an expert to ask someone about their anxious thoughts and remind them of the hope given through the Gospel. You don’t have to be an expert to ask someone questions about their family and childhood – and remind them that God is a good Father who loves us.

God calls and equips all of us to do this. If we are in Christ, the Counselor (John 14:26) lives in us! And yes, as we do this, maybe we’ll see (through wisdom and prayer) that further help is needed. But we might be surprised just how much help we can provide if we simply take the time and try.