The Journal of Biblical Counseling Volume 14 Number 3 Spring 19962

From the Editors Desk

How Healthy Is YourPreparation?David Powlison

A student recently asked me, What doyou do to prepare for a counseling session?And why do you prepare in the ways youdo? Those are good questions. They drewme to consider the difference betweenbeing well-prepared and ill-prepared.Heres what happens when Im doing itright.

First, I follow through on my commit-ments. If I said Id make a phone call, I doit. If I planned to write the person a letter,or design a personalized homeworkassignment, or copy an article, I get it done.If I intended to seek advice from anothercounselor, I pursue it. Tangible love plays asignificant role in pastoral progress. Itaffects me, for one thing. I find that when Ihave acted to love someone, I care more insubsequent interactions. I probe more care-fully. I listen better. My counsel is warmerand more personal.

It also affects the other person. He expe-riences the immediate blessing of myaction, and also observes and experiences amodel (albeit a small one) of the sorts ofchanges God is typically working in hislife, too. So why do things for people? Howcan we not do such things if Christiancounseling is simply one part of makingdisciples of Christand Christ is makingme a disciple, too? Such actions simplyexpress what it means to be Christs peo-ple.

Second, I check out my own attitudesand life. If Im bitter or anxious, grumpy,fearful, or presumptuous, I deal with it.Sometimes my sin may relate to the personIll be counseling. I might be viewing theupcoming meeting as too hard, feelingintimidated or anxious. Perhaps I recog-

nize that Ill be tempted to play it saferather than risk speaking the truth in love.Perhaps I realize that Im tempted to dis-like someone, and so to become harsh orimpatient. Or I might be viewing the meet-ing as too easy, feeling overly confidentand in control. At such times, Im temptednot to prepare, not to pray for God to work,not to care intensely, but to simply gothrough the motions.

Sometimes my sin or struggle pertainsto another part of my life. Perhaps Im fret-ting about money or unfinished tasks;maybe I havent resolved a spat with mywife. Biblical counseling takes its ownmedicine first, to the praise of Gods grace.I find that the state of my own faith, repen-tance, and obedience is the single most sig-nificant factor affecting the counseling I do.When Im a changing person, Im betterable to help others become the same.

Third, I read and study the Bible. I dothis extensively (through the Bible eachyear) and intensively (focusing in on par-ticular passages). In the first half of 1995,Titus was my companion. For the past sixmonths, Ive been slowly working my waythrough Psalms. Over the past couple ofmonths, Ephesians has taken center stage.Why? Because I need the same radicalreorientation as those to whom I minister.And when Im thinking straight, counsel-ing blossoms and bears sweet fruit.

Fourth, I think hard about those withwhom Ill meet. I go over notes, especiallyfrom the previous meeting, if I have them.I often take fairly extensive notes eitherduring or after a meeting, and then go backthrough them with a yellow highlighter.Im looking forand praying to under-standwhat I call the watershed issues.Where is this person facing a significantchoice to live out either the former man-ner of life or a new life of specific faith andlove? Gods grace is at work in people,teaching us to say No to our natural dark-ness and selfishness, and to say Yes to thelight (Titus 2:11-15; Ephesians 4:17-5:10).

The Journal of Biblical Counseling Volume 14 Number 3 Spring 1996 3

Ill ponder the issues on which my previous sessionwith my counselee turned. Where did we get to?Where does this person typically get stuck in life? Ifour previous session was on target, then identifyingthe watershed issue usually led to setting some goalstogether: a choice to embrace the truth in faith, a com-mitment to act in obedience. Ill want to follow up onthat, to see what has been done with counsel.

My concern to identify watershed issues arisesfrom several foundational truths. Our Father is a vine-dresser who prunes those He loves (John 15:1f); He isa father who raises children intentionally, with spe-cific goals in mind (Hebrews 12:5ff). Ministry relies onthis sovereign and gracious providence. A personsstruggles typically organize around key themes, andwhen I counsel, I want to offer new and specific wis-dom to replace my counselees characteristic flesh.As I know a person truly, I get to seeand seizetheparticular form of his or her struggle to believe and toobey.

Fifth, I pray for each person, asking God to work.Obviously, people dont change because they go tocounseling. They change significantly because Godworks in them and they work out His call: Work outyour salvation for God works in you both to willand to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12f). So Iask the Holy Spirit to bring to my counselee a convic-tion of the truth both about himself and about the Onewho is full of grace and truth.

I pray for myself, also. I need all the requisites ofpastoral care: wisdom, clarity, courage, a breadth anddepth of biblical knowledge. I need many abilities: tolisten hard and well, to enter the persons world, toapply Scripture, to speak the word that builds up andgives grace, to communicate love, to be honest, to getpractical, to be patient with them all. I ask my fam-ily and coworkers to pray both for me and for those Icounsel.

Sixth, I set a rough agenda for our meeting. Itmight be as open-ended as finding out whats reallygoing on. It might be as specific as teach and role-play reconciliation principles, or check out whetherthey are still avoiding each other, or Psalm 31: therefuge thats an alternative to self-pity, fear, anger, andescapism. Sometimes my agenda includes a specificexhortation to myself. You spoke too quickly lasttime; ask that one more question or think for five moreseconds before you speak. Or, You were vague andminced words; just say it clearly and boldly. Or, Bemore cheerful and humorous. Or, Be more serious;humor almost offended last week.

Biblical counselors differ on how detailed theiragenda is and how consistently they intend to stick to

it. Some take a rather programmatic approach to dis-cipleship. I do this sometimes, but I lean towards themore flexible end of the spectrum. I think thestrengths of tightly structured counseling emergewith counselees who are either highly committed tochange or who are pointedly rebellious in a high-handed way. In the broad middle, Ive found that itsbetter to let the specific agenda emerge in the give-and-take of an honest relationship. I like to look forwhats happeningWhats hot off the press? I mayset an open-ended Titus 2:11-15 agenda and see whatemerges. Usually the watershed issues play outafresh, and face-to-face ministry takes on vibrancyand immediacy. The person has reacted to events ofthe day or week past. The person is reacting to thingshappening right now. The person is already reactingto events of the day or week ahead. Counselingbecomes immediately relevant.

Many of the greatest joys of face-to-face ministryemerge amid the unpredictability of human reactions,in the need of the moment, in the challenge of win-ning a person whose commitment to change is fickle,in disarming a person whose anger and defensivenessfill the room, in the delicate task of wooing andencouraging the faint-hearted, in hearing some darkor painful secret that had never been voiced before, inwitnessing acts of courageous faith and godliness. Ithink structured programs have their place, and per-haps the situation in which you typically counsel isone that highlights the strengths. But let me argue abiblical rationale for making the most of opportunitiesto approach counseling with a more open-endedagenda. Im impressed by the wondrous flexibilitymanifested by Scripture itself. No two prophets, notwo psalms, no two gospels (indeed, no two interac-tions between Jesus and his hearers), no two apostolicletters are quite the same. Gods unified truth getscommunicated in diverse ways tailored to the diverseneeds of audience and situation. So biblical counsel-ing should also prize freshness and flexibility, insightand creativity.

Seventh, I often review basic principles of coun-seling to orient myself. I hadnt thought about thefact that I did this until my student posed her ques-tion. Here are some of the reminders posted in thevicinity of my desk.

How can even this situation prove redemptive? If Inever lose hope in Christs gracious control andredemptive agenda, I will be able to communicate thesame to those I counsel.

Most people dont know that their biggest problem isnot out there in the world; its in here in their own heart.Always move the agenda towards the person sitting

The Journal of Biblical Counseling Volume 14 Number 3 Spring 19964

in front of me. Love. Know. Speak. Do. Counselors care, probe,

speak Ephesians 4:15 and 4:29 truth, and help peoplemake concrete changes. Am I covering all the bases?Am I on the right base now?

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the nameof the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God theFather. I am a servant called to be faithful and full offaith, not a technician called to fix it.

Get to specifics. Go towards specifics. After all thetalking is done, what are you going to do about your water-shed issue this week? Change happens in the details, inthe step-step-step of your walk. Effective counselingmoves towards substantive change.

This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growthin righteousness.We are not yet what we shall be, but weare growing toward it. Small changes accumulate; aglimpse of final, finished glory.

Counselingno magic, no technique, no sure cure.Biblical counseling is simply the way of being wiselyhuman in speaking with moral decision-makers whowill trust and obey either lies or truth.

I need reminding. Otherwise the sinful inertia ofmy own tendencies may hijack the ministry goals setby the great Shepherd of the sheep.

Eighth, I do things that orient me to the ministrytask. This, too, Id never really thought about beforemy questioner piped up. I might take a walk out-sideto take a few deep breaths, to let my eyes drinkin patterns of cloud and tree, to smell and feel thewind. Raptors have returned to the suburbs north ofPhiladelphia, and I might spot a red-tailed hawkwheeling across the late afternoon sky. A walk outsidereminds me that Gods world is much bigger than myoffice. That site where problems can loom large is sit-uated in a universe whose God of grace looms larger.

Sometimes Ill sit for a few minutes in the chairs inwhich those I counsel will soon be seated. I try toreflect on what its like to be on that side of the roomand on that side of the conversation. I can never actu-ally feel what another persons life is like: The heartknows its own bitterness, and a stranger does notshare its joy (Proverbs 14:10). But sitting in the chairhelps me realize that a person bears these sorrows andstruggles with these sins. I will counsel people withproblems, not problems with people somehowattached.

Sometimes Ill eat dinnerand enjoy it in a quiethalf hour. I suppose that even enjoying dinnerexpresses, in its own way, a significant part of how toprepare for the tasks of counseling! The God whosegoodness provides daily bread, who gives all thingsrichly to enjoy, will surely also give wisdom to His

children. When all has been said and done, the king-dom is His. And that is a fountain of comfort andpeace amid the difficulties of the work.

Prepare well!

* * * *

Our Letters to the Editor section debuts in thisissue. We trust it will provide a place where construc-tive critique and commendation can both find a voice.Contribute your letters. While reserving the right toedit for length, we will make every effort to faithfullycommunicate both the content and tone of letters pub-lished.

The very questions you ask people ought to reflectand further the goals of your counseling. Paul Trippsseries on Data Gathering continues with an exami-nation of the questions you ask. Good questionsexpress and contribute to the objectivity, wisdom,clarity, and purpose that counselors can bring to thosethey counsel.

The last issue included a brief discussion of thecommon phenomenon of anger directed towardsGod. In this issue, Anger at God by Robert Jonestackles this controversial question more thoroughly.His answers are refreshing, and strikingly differentfrom most of what you hear on the subject.

Biblical principles and answers dont hang in avoid. The Holy Spirit writes grace and truth into liveslived. In Anger and Gods Grace a husband andfather tells his story of grappling with his temper andfinding Gods effective grace.

A number of articles in this issue cluster aroundtopics related to singleness, marriage, and family. Jef-fery Forrey found three tough issues repeatedly sur-facing in the lives of single Christians: loneliness, con-tentment in being single, and finding a spouse. Bibli-cal Counsel for Concerned Singles offers pastoralwisdom to address these.

Many pastors believe that pre-engagement coun-seling is at least as important as pre-marital counsel-ing. They want people to decide to get married forgood reasons, not attempt to sort out whether theyought to get married after theyve already asked andanswered, Will you marry me?, and set the date.Should We Get Married? by John Yenchko andDavid Powlison appropriately follows on Forreysarticle. It is for pre-engaged couples, helping a manand woman decide whether or not to get married.

When people get married, a family often ensues.And where you find a family, youll frequently find atelevisionand ambivalence about its presence. Jour-nalist Pete Hamill wrote Crack in the Box for Esquire

The Journal of Biblical Counseling Volume 14 Number 3 Spring 1996 5

seems to run contrary to the thrust of passages such as1 Peter 3:1-5 that address wives directly on the basis oftheir relationship to God. In our Queries & Contro-versies section, Jan McMurray tackles the question.

There it is. Remember, the Journal of Biblical Coun-seling exists to give you resources. Many of the articlesyoull read in this issue might help someone youknow. Think about who might profit, and feel free tomake copies for pastoral and educational purposes.

P.S. Part 3 of my series on anger will be delayed. Asof this moment, I have misplaced the file folder thatcontains all my notes. I hardly intended to be prophet-ic when I closed Part 2 with the words, Part 3 willappear in the next issue, God willing. Isnt it interest-ing how that last phrase can keep readers, author, andeditors alike from sinful anger should somethinginterfere with those plans! Thankfully, we serve aGod who knows the location of lost notes, and whoextolls the virtues of patience and contentment in asometimes frustrating world.

magazine several years ago. Now Esquire is not theusual place we dig up our writers! But I think youllfind his reflections on TV-watching very stimulating.

Joshua is well known for his bold stand: As forme and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua24:15). The sad sequel is almost as well known:Joshua died and there arose another generationthat did not know the LORD (Judges 2:8, 10). Ourpreaching section contains a sermon that JohnYenchko preached on the latter passage. Families atRisk in the 90s: You Snooze, You Lose! sounds abrisk call to nurture the next generation in the knowl-edge of the Lord.

We review a book on parenting, Shepherding aChilds Heart by Tedd Tripp. Tedd Tripp (Paul Trippsbrother, for the curious) is a father, pastor, and schoolprincipal who knows of what he speaks.

The notion that a husband is directly responsiblefor the spiritual state of his wife has become popularin recent years. The guilt engendered can certainlymotivate some men to get on the stick, but the idea

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