Nicole de Jongh
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Author Note
Nicole de Jongh
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Nicole de Jongh
Email: ndejongh@liberty.edu
Journal Article Review: Practicing Discernment: Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations
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Journal Article Review: Practicing Discernment: Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations
Summary
This journal article, “Practicing Discernment: Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations” (Landes,
2010) takes a look at how practicing discernment as a pastoral counselor is important when
people share the narratives of their life and the lives of those they are walking through crises
with. When crises are present it is a time of high stress for most. People walking through these
situations often have a hard time sorting through the narratives that matter most, especially when
pressed to make an important decision (Landes, 2010). It can be a time of fatigue and
disorientation when counselees are faced with confusion in what the right decision truly is in
their situation (Landes, 2010).
A pastoral counselor can play a significant role in helping clarify the situations and
narratives surrounding important decisions that must be made by their counselees (Landes,
2010). They can also help sort through what narratives are crucial to the decision to be made in
front of them (Landes, 2010). Through the pastoral counselor’s use of discernment, they will be
better equipped to illuminate the counselees needs. Being able to communicate these needs can
be helpful for the counselee, their family, and also the medical staff when necessary (Landes,
2010).
In the scenario shared in this article, a soon to be widow was struggling with the decision
ahead of her in concern to what end of life decisions needed to be made on behalf of her husband
(Landes, 2010). She had many narratives to share about his life and their life together. The
pastoral counselor played a significant role in listening to her narratives and helping her sort
what was important for the difficult decisions she faced (Landes, 2010). This counselor
recognized the themes and what came across as important, and emphasized these back to the
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woman (Landes, 2010). He was a listening ear when she needed to continue grieving through her
narratives and ultimately, through discernment, was able to help the woman make a decision that
fit the themes he recognized (Landes, 2010).
Interaction
Based on the title of this journal article, I did not expect it to solely focus on using the
narrative one shares during crisis as a means to help discern and make important decisions
(Landes, 2010). This type of discernment is no doubt a very important tool to have and
something that can be practiced and strengthened over time. I was intrigued by the role a pastoral
counselor could play when their counselee is weighed down by emotional fatigue. When the
whole world feels upside down to another, the pastoral counselor can seek understanding through
the narratives and their very presence with those in crisis (Landes, 2010).
This strength of discernment ultimately comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in
my life. It is not possible for me to have every answer and help available when the need arises,
but I serve a God who does. I feel like this article lacked the connection between the
understanding given by God and the wisdom held by the pastoral counselor. “If any of you lacks
wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given
him" (James 1:5, ESV). I will spend some time looking at discernment a bit closer, in the context
of discerning the narrative, to decipher if this is something that can be done by any trained
individual or by those given this gift through the Holy Spirit (Landes, 2010).
Application
A woman came to my office who was struggling with the decision of whether or not she
should reunite with her husband after a series domestic violence situations. She explained that
after the last altercation she had taken her children to her parent’s home to get away and create a
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safe space for them until she could figure out what the next step should be. Her husband has
called her several times crying and begging for forgiveness. He has even told her that he has
started going back to church and has joined a men’s small group that meets each week. I can see
the worry and sense her doubt as she continues to share the narratives of their life together. I
pause at this point and pray with her, that the Lord would lead her and that his truth would
outshine any doubt or grief.
She continues to share narratives about the good times they have had together as a family,
and how he hasn’t ever been interested in going to church until now. She shares about the fun
times they have on family vacations, but how when they get home her husband is back to his
controlling and abusive behavior. She shares about the control he has over her schedule and their
finances. She shares how she wants to remain faithful to her marriage vows, wants her children
to grow up with a father, yet desires to be a healthy environment for everyone.
I can pick up through her narratives that she desires wholeness of both her family and the
quality of life her family shares. I begin asking questions to search for understanding on how she
feels she has gotten into the current situation in order to determine what decisions need to be
made to move forward (Landes, 2010). I reflect her feelings back to her and she affirms that this
feels like such a hopeless situation (Wright, 2012). I reassure her that there is much hope as we
align our lives with Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to direct us (Johnson & Johnson, 2014).
She is trying to make the difficult decision of whether or not she should move back into
her family home with her husband. Reflecting on all the narratives she has shared I emphasize
her desire for wholeness for herself, her children, and her husband. I ask some clarifying
questions to draw out what exactly this wholeness looks like for her. Through discernment and
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helping this woman clarify and sort through her thoughts and emotions she is able to make an
informed decision that is not completely driven by her current emotional state (Landes, 2010).
treatments (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.
Landes, S. D. (2010). Practicing Discernment: Pastoral Care in Crisis Situations. Journal of
Pastoral Care & Counseling, 64(1), 1-8.
Wright, H. N. (2012). The complete guide to crisis & trauma counseling: What to do and say
when it matters most! (Revised ed.). Ventura, CA: Regal Books.
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References
ESV Study Bible. (2008). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
Johnson, W. B., & Johnson, W. L. (2014). The minister’s guide to psychological disorders and
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