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Summary
In our textbook, Embodying Integration by Megan Neff and Mark McMinn, chapters 1
through 3 cover the subjects of Lament, Uncertainty, Meaning, and Enjoyment, and Imaging
God. Chapter one discusses the topic of lamentation. First, the authors clarify the definitions and
the difference between lamentation and grief; lament involves other people while grief may be
singular (Neff, McMinn, 2020). Specifically, the text discusses some “requirements” that define
what lament is and how it can be seen in our lives. The authors state that ament requires the
person to cry out, be moved toward action, and finally to create trust between the person
lamenting and the one hearing the lament. The authors continue on by discussing how lament is
largely ignored by the church today. They contend that by ignoring lamentations, we hurt our
relationship with Christ and our grief and pain can led to harmful places rather than creating
strength. Next, Neff and McMinn discuss the different therapeutic approaches to lamentation and
how we can use it in the counseling setting. The third-wave CBT approach focuses on how
suffering is an integral part of the human experience and encourages clients to observe the pain
and to learn more about their tendencies to avoid feeling pain. On the other hand, second-wave
CBT focuses on experiencing the suffering, but then moving toward the positive and avoiding
negative thinking. In this chapter, there is also a significant discussion of how hope and lament
are intertwined; a person may experience both at the same time.
Chapter two discusses uncertainty, meaning, and enjoyment. First, Neff and McMinn
begin by discussing some clinical cases that demonstrate the tragedy and difficulties that clients
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will bring to us in the counseling setting (Neff, McMinn, 2020). Next, the authors dive into the
book of Ecclesiastes, which is described in the textbook as a somewhat controversial text that
also can provide relief to those with unanswered questions. The authors discuss the author of
Ecclesiastes and the situation that the Hebrew people were going through; it was a time of
turmoil and unknown. The authors compare this time of upheaval and constant anxiety to a lot of
the same situations that we face today. Next, the word “hebel” is introduced and defined as
something without any substance – like a breath of air (Neff, McMinn, 2020). This is what the
author of Ecclesiastes uses to describe the condition of the world. The authors use this word to
describe what we experience as humans, even today. They describe the experiences of financial
crises and health crises that plague people all over the world, regardless of how “good” someone
may be. This then leads into the section that discusses people’s disillusionment with religion in
the United States. People experience the turmoil and struggles of life and immediately find
troubles with religion. Finally, the authors discuss how these concepts impact counseling. The
human experience of hebel creates deep empathy from the counselor; suffering and uncertainty
are something we all experience. They also discuss that these human problems often have no
easy answers; sometimes we must just sit with the discomfort with our clients.
Chapter 3 of our textbook discusses imaging God. First, Neff and McMinn begin by
discussing how we must often “wrestle” with God and our spirituality (Neff, McMinn, 2020).
The authors explain how many ancient creation stories define humans as “”substitute workers”
who are made to do the work of the gods. This is a stark contrast to how our God created us and
how God chooses to be intimately involved in our lives. In fact, as the authors point out, we are
created in the image of God. There are a wide variety of differing views on what it means to be
created in the image of God. The authors also discuss how these concepts should impact our
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counseling field and practice. We should recognize that though we are required to not impose our
beliefs onto our clients, our beliefs impact the way we conduct ourselves as counselors. Next,
they discuss how trauma impacts our implicit and explicit beliefs. This applies to our image of
God as well and how we perceive our spirituality. Trauma serves to link the two beliefs together.
Reflection
Grief and Lament
This topic really hit home for me. I have lost two grandparents within one month of each
other, one being in July and one being in August. Through this extremely difficult and trying
time, I have learned that grief is a profound state of being and is so much deeper than just an
emotion. I think that chapter one does a good job defining lament and how it may differ from
grief. While I do like the discussion of lamentation and how it can be a useful tool, not only in
counseling but in our spiritual lives as well, I do wish that the authors would give some more
practical advice on how this may be applied to the counseling field in general. An article by
Begheri, Chaman, Ghiasi, and Motaghi discusses the use of grief counseling for clients who are
experiencing post-abortion grief. This article indicates that the use of CBT for these clients
reduces the intensity of the grief that they are experiencing (Bagheri et. al, 2023). It can be seen
that CBT is an effective way to manage grief, but practical examples and applications could be
helpful for counselors in training.
Uncertainty
I found this section to be extremely relatable. I think that uncertainty is part of the human
experience and will be a constant presence in counseling. As Christians, we can turn to Scripture
to face our uncertainties. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not
lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make straight
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your paths” (ESV). Even the Bible tells us that we will not always understand what is happening
in the world around us. I think the text did a great job of describing that the world is so
temporary; everything that we have can be taken away at any moment. However, I do question
how we could provide comfort to someone who is not a Christian. So much of our hope and our
security relies on Christ and our Bible, it is difficult to imagine how someone might feel without
the hope of Jesus Christ.
Imaging God
Honestly, I had trouble with this chapter and understanding how my view of God might
change the way I counsel. I think that I have been so involved in Christianity for the majority of
my life that I have trouble sometimes defining what I believe and how I see God because it has
become somewhat of a routine for me. I think that’s something I should spend some time delving
into because I do see how my view of God could impact my counseling in the future.
Though I struggled with some of this section, I did really resonate with the section on
empathy. Because we all experience the suffering and uncertainty that were discussed in the last
two chapters, we can empathize with clients who come in for counseling. I think that chapter 4 of
The New Christian Counselor perfectly fits into this section. This text describes that God exists
in our relationships and that we were created as relational creatures who seek comfort and
guidance from other humans (Hawkins, Clinton, 2015).
Questions
These chapters raised a multitude of questions for me. The ACA Code of Ethics, Code
A.4.b states that we are not to impose our own values on our clients (American Counseling
Association, 2014). However, our textbook states that our beliefs dictate everything that we do. I
question how the Christian counselor can maintain this balance in a healthy way without it
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leading to burnout. Another question I have is how to practically use the CBT techniques that
were discussed regarding grief. I think this will require some research on my own time to
discover how to practically do this.
Spiritual Formation
I think the chapter on imaging God really impacted my spiritual life. I realized in reading
that chapter that I struggle with what the image of God is for me and how I relate to God. My
dad is a preacher and something that I have trouble with is separating my faith from my family’s
faith. This is something that will require deep reflection and time in prayer and Scripture. I also
have a mentor who will be a great help in learning about my own faith.
I have stated that the chapter on lament was profound for me. I think I have experienced
lament in my time of grieving for my grandparents. To be completely honest, my grandmother
passed in a way that was incredibly sudden but also in suspicious circumstances regarding her
medical treatment. In lamenting to my fellow Christians and my coworkers, I have come to trust
those people. Those people also have stepped in to help me work to make things right in
whatever way that we can. I do however wish that lament was more common and was practiced
regularly in the church in a more structured way.
I think that these chapters have opened my eyes to how connected we all are as human
being created in the image of God. Because of our fallen nature, we experience the uncertainty
and the turmoil of the world every day. But we are all created in the image of God; we are
connected as children of God. It has enlightened me to how profound it is to empathize with
another person and to provide comfort and healing. The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:2, “Bear one
another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (ESV). We are called to empathize with our
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References
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics.
https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf
Bagheri, L., Chaman, R., Shiasi, A., Motaghi, Z. (2023) Cognitive behavioral counseling in post
abortion grief: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Education and Health
Promotion, 12(120). https://doi.org/10.4103%2Fjehp.jehp_474_22
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
Hawkins, R., Clinton, T. (2015). The New Christian Counselor. Harvest House Publishers.
Neff, M. A., McMinn, M. R. (2020).HEmbodying Integration.HInterVarsity Press.H
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780830831883
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