LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Every Christian Should See a Counselor
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (Ed. D) Department of Christian Leadership and
Church Ministries
By
Mary Gracias
Lynchburg, Virginia
9/2022
I believe every Christian should spend extended time with a counselor. Now, I know
that’s a provocative statement, so let me explain.
Years ago, I was listening to a message by a pastor I respect, and he was talking about how
he and his wife go to counseling. So, I went home and told my wife, Libby, and after chatting
about it, we decided to give it a try ourselves. And you know what? It helped each of us
tremendously.
As I reflect back on my time in counseling, I can identify four characteristics of a great
counselor:
Someone who is empathetic.
Someone who is helpful.
Someone who is wise.
Someone who comforts.
We find this word “counselor” in Isaiah 9:6:
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… and he will be called wonderful counselor,
mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (emphasis mine)
The word for counselor here is ‘yaats’ which means to advise, counsel, plan, or to urge
certain directions, actions, or thoughts.
And in Isaiah 11:1-3, this word pops up again, and we learn that this child was given the
Spirit of counsel, making him the greatest counselor the world has ever seen.
He’s the greatest for four simple reasons (they might sound familiar):
He is empathetic (Hebrews 4:15).
He is helpful (Ephesians 1:18-20).
He is wise (1 Corinthians 1:30).
He comforts (2 Corinthians 1:3).
When I say I believe every Christian should spend extended time with a counselor, this is
the counselor I’m talking about: Christ the counselor.
I want you to have an appointment with the best counselor who ever lived. Set up an
appointment. Share your heart with him. Then experience his empathy, strength, wisdom, and
comforting presence in your life.
