The more I think about what one aspect of biblical counseling sets this type of counseling off from the other types of counseling offered, I come down to one word: hope.<\/p>\n
Biblical counselors point counselees to Christ, the only true Hope for salvation and sanctification (a.k.a. spiritual growth). Because of Christ, we can be forgiven of our past choices, redeemed from the circumstances of abuse enacted against us, and provided with the resources to be transformed into a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Who else or what other type of therapy offers such profound and powerful remedies to our struggles in life? The only answer is the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
Vision of Hope is aptly named because we offer Christ, the One True God and the God of Hope. Our hope is not in ourselves or any other person but in the Person of Christ. Such a simple truth yet often neglected when we are tempted to look for the next thing to soothe our “addictions” and abuses. We are tempted to look for the latest, greatest therapeutic technique and theory to provide relief, comfort, and help when the source of those desires is in Christ.<\/p>\n
Matthew 6:33 reminds us of a simple truth of how to find real hope: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. <\/strong>(ESV) In other words, when you seek after Christ to further His kingdom through obedience in righteous living for His glory alone, the by-products of living such a life will be realized in hope\u00a0manifested by the fruit of\u00a0the Holy Spirit as listed\u00a0in Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,\u00a0gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. <\/strong>God does not promise relief or comfort in\u00a0all circumstances and those circumstances may not\u00a0change (though they might by God’s grace!); instead, He promises to see you through those circumstances with joy, peace, and patience that come from Him not from mankind. That is true hope!<\/p>\n -Pastor Mark Shaw (living in\u00a0the hope of Christ)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"