Christian Counseling Homework 9/21/2025 Part one
Christian Counseling Homework • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 4 viewsNotes
Transcript
What Challenged me?
What Challenged me?
15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: But he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
I guess the correct way to start this is to admit I was unprepared for this journey I was taking. Although I was praying for guidance and thought I knew what I was getting into, I soon realized I was very incorrect in my thinking. So to answer this question correctly, I soon came to realize that I was being counseled by the Lord.
11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, The thoughts of his heart to all generations.
To say I needed to change things about myself so I could learn was an understatement. I always felt I had a solid handle on aspects in my life. As I started reading these basic principles in Christian Counseling, I found a lot of these examples were speaking to me. I came to realize my thinking was incorrect in a lot of areas in my life. So I will talk about how I started to refocus my life by getting a better understanding of the spiritual and emotional dimensions of my life experiences. I will then talk about the importance of aligning my thoughts, behaviors, and my desires to God’s path for my life. I personally believe this has been a significant step in my journey in my spiritual growth and provided me with a deeper connection with Christ.
Getting a better understanding of the spiritual and emotional dimensions of my life experiences.
Honestly, when I started this course, I really thought I had a solid grasp on my spiritual life choices. Then I got to find out that God decided to use this as a tool to show me where I was weak and Where I needed to grow to accomplish to goals God has put on my plate to go down the path He has put me on. The first challenge I received was this.
Have you ever felt out of balance in your life? Have you tried to handle the combination of work stress, personal challenges, marital issues, mentoring others, all on one Saturday. Even though it is supposed to be my day off, I am always pulled in different directions every Saturday. I used to believe I had everything under control and I was able to handle any challenge.
Funny thing I learned as I studied this course was I am never in control. How I handled situations was always determined on my emotional state at the time. I did not realize I was neglecting my spiritual state as I made my decisions.
What do I mean by this? I can explain it this way.
Let us look at Emotional Meaning.
Emotional well being encompasses your ability to understand and manage your feelings. It is about expressing emotions constructively and recognizing emotional triggers. This can swiftly go out of balance when you let your emotions such as anger control your decision making. To keep this under control, a helpful way to do this is journaling. This can show you how to avoid issues before they become problems based on learning from past mistakes and how to approach things differently. Another very constructive way is talking to other Christian friends and/or professionals which can offer clarity, insight, support, and solid Christian advice. Also practicing gratitude, as you would in your prayer life, will boost your emotional health by shifting your focus to positive experiences.
How does this work with your Spiritual state?
Your Spiritual well being encompasses your sense of purpose and your relationship with God. As a Christian, your desire should always be developing a deeper and more personal relationship with God at all times. You should always be in a constant state of prayer
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
17 Pray without ceasing.
I can keep going but you should have the picture. To enjoy a solid relationship with God, you should approach your decision making through prayer asking for guidance and giving thanksgiving to God. Now combine this with your sense of purpose that God has laid out for you. God has a sovereign plan for us. His work within believers is to align the believer’s desires with His will. This gives a promise of hope and a future for those who seek Him.
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Look at this verse, it offers comfort and assurance, emphasizing that God has a good plan for you, which is full of hope and a future.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
This verse shows us that God actively works within us, shaping our desires and actions to align with His perfect purpose.
How this becomes out of balance?
When you let your emotions control your decision making and you avoid the guidance provided to you through the Holy Spirit, you are out of balance in your life and your decision will always lead to negative consequences. Being out of balance is being out of control in your life. Here is the interesting and scary part of this fact. People who feel in control of their decision making and when they don’t want God’s influence in their lives, often go through life blind to the fact they are destroying their lives and possibly their most cherished relationships in their world. So they think they are right but find out later, that they were the cause of the problem because they were blind by their own worldly needs. When you avoid your relationship with God in your life, you are truly lost and out of balance.
Aligning my thoughts with God’s will
As I was doing this training, I started to see where my life was out of balance. You as I was doing this training, I started to focus on aligning my thoughts, behaviors, and my desires with God’s will. When I say God’s will, I am wanting to demonstrate that God has a path for every Christian. As my pastor likes to say, every Christian has a ministry. To follow God’s will in your life is to focus on the path He wants you on by following His teaching and guidance.
Let us consider these steps to accomplish this.
First we want to renew our mind. We need to reflect on the teachings of the Bible .
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. This enables us to discern what is the good and acceptable will of God.
Trust in God.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.
If we have this trust, it will allow us to seek God’s guidance in our thoughts and actions.
Pray for wisdom
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Engage in prayer to ask for wisdom and understanding. This is especially true when we are faced with decisions that may conflict with God’s will. This request in prayer will lead to a deeper alignment with God’s purposes.
Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding us towards God’s will. We need to focus on Scripture and seek His presence to listen to His guidance.
Commit to living our life according to His plan.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
How can we commit to living according to His plan?
Renew our mind. We do not want to be conformed to the ways of the world. Instead, we want to allow our mind to be transformed by God so we can understand His perfect will.
Be prepared for good works. God has created us for a specific purpose.
Do not be anxious. Instead of worrying, we need to present our requests and concerns to God through prayer.
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Live a holy life.
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Christians do not willingly sin. Christians choose to serve God. If your choices go against God’s will, you are making the wrong choices. People should be able to look at you and see you as a Christ-like Christian, and not a hypocrite.
This is what I became challenged with. As I studied, I became painfully aware of my weaknesses in my Christian walk. I started to notice things in the book that applied to me. Once I noticed them, God challenged me to teach me the lessons I needed to learn to grow to the point I needed to be to do this training. This helped me with my spiritual journey and gave me a deeper connection with Christ. It definitely changed me as a Christian and a husband and friend to others.
