Why Christian Counseling?
Counseling can be likened to clearing away the overgrown brush in a forest so we can finally appreciate its true beauty. A forest, full of tangled branches, dead trees, and years of neglect, can still be awe-inspiring. But when the clutter is cleared, its full majesty comes into view. In the same way, our hearts and minds can become clouded by past pain, unprocessed emotions, or unmet needs, preventing us from fully experiencing the abundant life God intends for us. Like that forest, we are still God's creation, but there's a greater fullness awaiting us when we allow ourselves to heal and grow.
The counseling journey often involves deep reflection, painful realizations, and confronting difficult emotions. But it’s also a path to deeper connection—connection with ourselves, with others, and most importantly, with God. Through Christian counseling, we can explore the wounds that have held us back and begin the healing process, moving from darkness into light. In this sense, Christian counseling is a valuable tool—one of many God can use to bring about restoration. As Proverbs 11:14 says, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors, there is safety."
However, many people question whether professional Christian counseling is worth the time, effort, and expense. After all, isn’t counseling something anyone can offer? And the answer is yes—each of us can be a counselor to someone else. We all have the ability to listen, offer encouragement, share wisdom, and spread God’s love. The Holy Spirit empowers us to guide others, and as believers, we are promised that we can do "greater works" than even Jesus did on Earth (John 14:12-28). That means there’s a place for informal counselors in our lives—friends, family, pastors, and prayer warriors who speak into our struggles with love and wisdom.
God’s community is a powerful gift, and I've experienced profound healing through the people He’s placed in my life. That said, there are times when professional Christian counseling may be the right path—a step God may be calling you to take for your healing.
The Personal Impact of Counseling
I can personally testify to the life-changing effects of counseling. One area in which I experienced profound growth was in my tendency to people-please. For years, I thought being “nice” and ensuring everyone around me was happy with me was a good, even Godly, trait. It felt natural, even virtuous. But through counseling, I began to ask myself deeper questions: Why do I need people to like me? What motivates this desire to be liked? Slowly, I began to realize that these tendencies were rooted in insecurities and fears that I had buried deep within me.
This self-awareness helped me recognize a lie I had been living under: that it was my responsibility to make others happy. As I processed these realizations, I experienced emotional and spiritual healing. I learned that it wasn’t my job to manage other people’s feelings or ensure their approval. This understanding brought a weight off my shoulders, giving me emotional freedom and healthier boundaries. More importantly, it allowed me to refocus on the one heart I truly want to please—God’s heart. The verse in Galations 1:10 now became crystal clear – “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
When is Professional Christian Counseling the Right Choice?
So, how do you know if professional counseling is the right choice for you? The truth is, professional counselors are trained to go beyond the surface. They ask insightful questions, exploring your history, experiences, personality, and relationships to uncover patterns of thought and behavior that might be holding you back. Their goal is to help you gain greater awareness of what’s going on in your mind and heart—and to help you heal and function more fully in life.
Seeking counseling does take time, courage, and often money. But the question remains: is it worth it? It’s understandable to wonder, especially when counseling can be a tough and sometimes painful process. It may require you to face things you’d rather leave hidden, to confront emotions you’ve avoided, and to dig deep into areas of your life that feel uncomfortable. It’s not easy. So, why go through it?
Here’s the key: Christian counseling, professional or not, doesn’t promise to fix everything or answer all of life’s deepest questions—that’s something only God can do. As Psalm 145:3 reminds us, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." He does the healing, not mere humans no matter how skilled or called they may be. Christian counseling is simply one of the many ways God works to help us see more clearly the areas of our lives that are wounded, missing, or broken—not just emotionally, but spiritually. And through this process, healing begins.
Anca Sabo, MS, LMFT
Marriage and Family Therapist