Part Six
It would be an emphasis of the obvious to state, that the reason people go to see a counselor is to effect some sort of change in their life. For one reason or another, and in one form or another, the counselee is faced with a needed decision for change; whether that need for a decision comes in the form of career choices, or that which is relating to relationships, or any other metaphorical fork in the road of life. It is usually a result of having come to a stalemate in their own understanding, or from missing information needful for wise decision making. Therefore, guidance is sought from a counselor, to provide an answer, or at least an alternative for consideration to the dilemma that the client is facing.Biblical change is the goal of biblical counselors. Those counselors who understand, God is an intimate and personal Creator; a Sovereign, and Righteous Ruler, Who is divinely involved in the affairs of men. A God Who directs the steps of men, Who fashions the world, and all that is in it, according to His will and purpose. Those counselors whom themselves have a personal fellowship, and intimate relationship with this God Who is true to Himself, in the revelation of Himself, in Scripture. Those counselors who are under the submissive guidance of the Holy Spirit, are the ones who are in the best position to offer counsel, and motivation to those clients seeking change.
Jay Adams insightfully points out in the textbook: "Motivation is so often lacking in counselees. Loss of hope, lack of patience, and the sheer difficulty of making changes leads to such a lack....The Christian counselor therefore, in order to effect change, must become familiar with biblical concepts of motivation." Adams continues by providing a list of some methods for motivation that may be considered by the counselor. He also states, "All biblical means may be used (for motivation) and, ... more than one means may be used in conjunction with the same appeal." Of these methods Adams presents; one is Modeling.
Modeling, or as Adams defines: "encouragement by example" provides a rich source of motivational appeal. Adams explains, "The argument goes this way: ‘If he can...so can I.'" All to often people will use the difficulty of their condition as an excuse to give up, and quit. It is common to be discouraged by our hardships or failures. Therefore; to be reminded of the success of others to overcome against the odds, inspite of their hardships and failures; can be a good form of encouragement for the counselee to try again.
Modeling examples can come from many sources. Biographies of past human achievements are one example, usually in the character of someone having overcome great obstacles that are similar, or that relate to the ones the counselee is facing. Present common difficulties of someone still in the midst of their problem who is pressing on, and learning to overcome, are other examples that will serve the counselor as a good model to use.
It is important to remember when using a model as a form of motivation, that the counselee must be able to identify himself with the model. Determining what the nature of the problem is, and what the interests of the individual counselee are, will go a long way to determine if, and how, modeling is to be used as a means for motivation.
However, modeling can have its disadvantages as well, and the counselor would be wise to be aware of what these are. The first of two problems I note with using models, is that the model we use can set a goal so high that the counselee is more intimidated, than he is encouraged. If the gap between where the counselee is, and the goal, is too wide, it might seem unattainable. The counselor must be careful to offer not only human models that inspire, but that set a realistic progressive goal of achievement.
The second problem I see for the counselor to be aware of, is the imperfection of the human models we admire. It matters not how dedicated, how strong, how ethical, or what any other quality is that we may wish to model as a standard of achievement; the human model is imperfect. When one models their life after another, they can easily assimilate the imperfections as well. A key element to avoid this danger in using models, is to stress the character qualities of the person used as a model, not the person themselves.
A clear advantage for the Christian counselor looking for models to use, is the access to honest, real life people described in the Scripture. All of human nature, and characteristics are played out for us in the pages of the bible. Both the honorable, and the dishonorable, both the good, and the bad, are included. Nothing is left out; nothing is covered up. The courage of David fighting Goliath is told, as well as the sin of David with Bathsheba. We see the boldness of Elijah on Mt. Caramel, and the fearful Elijah under a Juniper tree. We are told of the patience of Job, as well as his impatience. From Peter, with his declaration: "Thou art the Christ..." to Jesus’ rebuke: "Get thee behind me Satan."
On and on the examples go all throughout the Scripture. Each person a study into the very depths of human thinking, and behavior, coupled with, and acted upon by the way, and the will of God. Consider Hebrews chapter eleven; the faith chapter. Every name is listed as a model of faith in action. Every one is a model of the characteristic of faith. Even the ones, of whom it is said, "Having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise." (Heb. 11:39)
And then there is Paul, a shining example of a life miraculously changed by an encounter with Jesus, and charged to spread the Gospel. Paul offers himself as a model in First Corinthians 4:16 when he says: "Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me." And, again in chap. 11:1, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ." Here we see, Paul clarifies that we are to follow him, but only as he follows the Lord.
While Paul is a great model of dedicated service to God, we have an even greater model than him. A model without fault. A model without error. A model of perfection, whose name is the Lord Jesus Christ. His life is the only sinless, perfect life ever lived, and He sets the standard by which every other life is lived. Jesus gives us the watch-word for the model when he calls his disciples. It is summed up in these two words: "Follow me."
When Jesus said, follow me, He was not indicating that He is to lead, and we are to trail behind Him. He was actually saying; come into union with Him. The Strongs puts it this way: "(as a particle of union) and (a road); prop. to be in the same way with."
God knows man could never model after Christ, (at least not on our own), therefore; God models Himself into us. We could never be like Him. In which case Jesus, our perfect model, identifies Himself so fully with man, that He became flesh in order to put to death the flesh; that we could become imprinted, infused and metabolized in the very atoms of our being with Him, into His image and likeness. As such, we are then, a new creature.
A Christian then, is who we are, not what we do. It is our being, not our doing, and it is our being then, that determines our doing. It is no longer we trying to be like Him, it is letting Who He is in us, shine through. Jesus says for us to "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works (model), and glorify our Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16). Paul puts it this way to the saints in Corinth: "Ye are our epistle (model) written in our hearts, known and read of all men." (3:2). Adams says it is a matter of becoming who we are. I think it is more a matter of being who we are in fullness, and who we are is a matter of who He is in us. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me..." (Gal. 2:20).
As for how comfortable I am in using this Biblical motivation in my own counseling? I could do no other. As was stated at the start, biblical change is the goal of biblical counseling. Keeping in mind, the nature of the problem being counseled, and the starting point of the one being counseled, would determine at what point to approach a biblical modeling method of motivation. The goal is biblical change, not necessarily the starting point. Everyone is at a different place in their relationship with God. The goal, is to bring them into a place of maturity, and growth. To show that God can give abundant life into their life.
I am convinced, that a counselor should seek to put himself out of work. By that I mean, that a counselee who is taught the principles of the Word of God; who learns to put their faith, and trust in our Loving, and Merciful, and Sovereign God; will soon find they have less need of an intermediate counselor, and will find their answers in The Counselor for themselves. For what counsel could we hope to give, other than that which we ourselves have learned from God.
AMEN.
