The Goodness of Counseling

The fireplace in my home is located in what I affectionately call the library. It’s actually a living room that used to function as a family room. Regardless, I love to sit in front of the warmth during winter and read a good, nourishing book. The light and heat from the fireplace warm me to the core. It’s remarkable what a good routine can do for the soul.

When I set myself in a posture of receiving goodness from the Lord, it can be incredibly uplifting and fruitful. Just as I choose my favorite, familiar spot in front of the fireplace to enjoy its warmth while reading, I can also place myself before the Lord to receive his goodness and draw strength from him in my life.

Recently, the word "goodness" has been on my mind. It’s a word—and a practice—that I have neglected. I admit that I often dwell on what’s wrong in my life, focusing on the difficulties. Though I generally stay in good spirits, these troubles can weigh me down, making life feel challenging.

However, the Lord is bringing goodness into my life. The question is: Am I open to receiving it?

One area of goodness I’ve experienced is confiding in a trusted advisor. I’ve heard it said that counseling can be a sacred spiritual practice for anyone, and I wholeheartedly agree.

Life often takes us to unexpected places, and these scenarios can be burdensome. Counseling provides a space to receive goodness; it encourages me and helps lay a stronger foundation in my soul by allowing me to listen to a perspective different from mine—one that contrasts with the thoughts running through my head.

Good counseling yields positive fruit. I wonder if you have experienced the benefits of good counseling—if you’ve had the opportunity to share your struggles with another committed believer and, in return, receive support in times of trial or, again, have a sacred space to be heard.

Counseling is merely one way I position myself to receive the Lord’s comforting warmth. While it is a significant way for me, I also find nourishment in attending church or having deep conversations with friends. Still, counseling remains irreplaceable in my life.

There is much discussion about the stigma surrounding counseling, and that may be part of my motivation for writing this piece. I want it to be normalized and viewed as a blessing, just as it has been for me. It is one of the best things I do, and it confirms that one perspective—my own—is insufficient. I need to hear wisdom from others and seek a broader understanding even beyond the familiar voices I have encountered throughout my life, however helpful they may be. I must open myself to receive more from the wider body of Christ.

Please understand that I don’t believe everyone must attend counseling; I don’t prescribe any such thing. I simply hope to help normalize it for those who want to experience its benefits. Counseling can correct misguided thinking, relieve pressure points, and bolster areas of discouragement.

Here I am, sharing only one practice that can lead us to the Lord’s goodness—there are countless others! Perhaps this piece will inspire you to think of other ways the Lord might bless your life as you walk with him in the upcoming year. If you are drawn to counseling, know you have a fellow traveler in me.

I believe the Lord is beckoning us to come to him, and he blesses the methods we use to seek him. He wants us to approach him and desires to flood our lives with his holy goodness. We live in a dark world that often promotes discouragement and disunity, but the Lord offers us peace, health, and comfort.

Maybe you are an emotive person, like I am, with complicated feelings. Perhaps, like me, you find that journaling alone isn’t enough. You might hear the Lord’s encouragement but need it confirmed through another soul. These are just some reasons why diligent believers may benefit from the sacred space counseling provides.

The warmth of the Lord is ready to meet you. If you feel stuck or are looking for a way to express your true feelings and thoughts, consider what counseling has done for me: it has allowed me to receive goodness. Be encouraged.