Christian Counseling: An Honorable & Holy Work
Upward Call is blessed with truly outstanding counseling interns who love the Lord and care deeply about our clients. We are thrilled to share an article with you written by one of our newest interns, Patricia Wright:
Christian Counseling is an honorable work, a true calling to the body of Christ to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to provide the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18). As a Millersville University Social Work student, I am studying to show myself approved and competent as a counselor. However, there is a gap in my learning experience without Christian training. Theories and principles that leave out the spiritual dimension ultimately have something missing. They may inspire good feelings and help people cope with stress, but they do nothing to prepare people for eternity or help them experience the abundant life here on earth—an abundance that only comes with a commitment to Christ.
As a Christian counselor I have been called by Christ according to Isaiah 61:1-2: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come (NLT).
I have the privilege of joining Upward Call Counseling Services in this holy work. Their staff mentors student counselors according to the standards of Christ. Dr. James Johnson disciples his students to passionately reflect the life of Christ and assist the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to form true spiritual life in the souls of others.
Dr. Johnson has taught me (as he has all the student interns) that Christian counselors are agents of healing and God supplies the medicine to cure and care for the afflicted soul. John Ortberg describes Christian counseling as a holy work and the call to do it takes place in the territory of the soul where deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.
The Spirit of the Lord is truly upon Upward Call, a ministry that partners with the Great Physician to meet the world’s deep needs…to bring His good news, to comfort the brokenhearted, to release the captives, and proclaim His freedom!
Patricia Wright | Millersville University MSW Student Intern
