Pastoral Counseling Archives

Proverbs 15:22 says, "Without counsel, purposes are disappointed: But in the multitude of counselors, they are established." Stigmas regarding receiving counsel have tirelessly gone without rest from generation to generation. Therefore, many who require help avoid utilizing therapy as a resource because of the perception others hold. The reshaping of the generation’s perception has carried weight with an aftereffect. These consequences have resulted in unresolved issues that continue to be ignored, while the pain of the past has paralyzed the gratification of the present. That’s why most pastors admit to struggling with anxiety, fear, stress, depression, feelings of being overwhelmed, and burnout. These spiritual leaders who spent a lifetime building their legacy have thrown it all away in a moment of anger. Their need for counsel has caused them to neglect the church, gaslight members from the pulpit, refuse to maintain their biblical reasonability, lack sermon preparation, and, unfortunately, commit acts of sin such as adultery. They have forgotten how valuable they’ve become to others within their church and community. They have forgotten how others depended on them to be their voice of reasoning and anchor to help them get through the tough times in life. They wouldn’t dare ignore the condition of their outcry why? Because they believed in the importance of help. They believed in counsel. So, why not receive counsel themselves? Nevertheless, when it comes to Pastors and ministerial leaders, religion has reduced the purity of spirituality. Religion has raised its voice louder than a Sunday sermon spoken over the sound system. Religion says I am a leader, anointed to help others; others are not appointed and anointed to help me. The problem with organized religion, as we know it, is that it has the magnitude to disappoint. The magnitude to cripple Pastors and Leaders into believing that seeking counsel is a sign of weakness, a sign of doubt, a stigma of believing that you have fallen from grace. Spirituality conveys a message of truth expressing that it’s wonderful to be disciplined to pray, fast, worship, and recognize God’s healing power; it’s also just as important to reinforce scripture which says, “Without counsel, purposes are disappointed: But in the multitude of counselors, they are established.” Proverbs 15:22. Think about those words. "Without counsel purposes are disappointed." In other words, without counsel, "your purpose" becomes your disappointment. But should you seek a wise counselor, therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist (the multitude) to stand with you and provide the same level of support you have given to others, your purpose will avoid the harsh consequences of self-neglect. Your purpose becomes the counselor's purpose. This is something religion doesn't offer, but spirituality in a counseling setting does. Isaiah 40:29-31 says, "He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint." What are you waiting for? More stigmatized lies or more faith? What about a counselor instead? Your purpose matters!

Shattering Stigmas: Pastoral Leaders & Therapy

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