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Biblical Counseling Topics
Life and Godliness
"seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the full knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence"
(2 Pet. 1:3, LSB).
Abuse
There are several forms of abuse, whether physical, domestic, sexual, or spiritual. The nature of the abuse will dictate the counseling means that are taken. In each situation, the desire is comfort and care for the oppressed, repentance for the abuser, and ultimately, if possible, reconciliation (Psa. 10; Prov. 29:13; Isa. 1:17; Rom. 12:18).
Addiction
Addiction results when the resistance against sinful desires ceases and submission to them is given (Rom. 6:12-14). Whether drugs, alcohol, food, or sexual addiction, the heart is to serve and comfort self. Ultimately, it is a worship of self, idolatry. Counseling will focus on repentance, the cutting off of the addiction, and service unto the Lord and others, until one learns to walk in freedom from the dominion of this sin, through grace.
Anger
Anger results when we are not getting what we want or think we deserve (Jas. 4:1-4). This is ultimately driven from a heart of self, resulting from pride, instead of a heart of humility, love, and submission to the Lord. Counseling will focus on repentance, humbling oneself before the Lord, letting go of control, and submitting to the sovereignty of God.
Anxiety
Anxiety results when our focus of the cares and concerns of this world become greater than our focus and meditation on God and Who He is. Yet God is kind. He invites us to come to Him, to cast all our fears on Him, and to learn from Him (Matt. 11:28-30; 1 Pet. 5:6-7). Counseling will focus on wrestling with confession of anxiety, repentance, and growing in the love and knowledge of God, surrendering control and the need for certainty to the all-powerful, sovereign God who cares for you.
Attention Deficit
There are several factors to attention deficit issues. These can include anger, a lack of willingness to pay attention, and outbursts. With each of these issues, counseling will require different approaches. We will approach anger differently than we will attentive problems. In either regard, each person is making the conscious decision, even though difficult, to become angry, dismiss what is happening around them, or to respond in outbursts. The focus will be how to discipline self for godliness, putting others above ourselves, and submitting to the word of God in humility.
Bi-Polar Reactions
Bi-polar reactions are understood to be variations between either anger, high energy, or depressive symptoms over a period of several days. Ultimately, these variations show an unbiblical response in handling the many circumstances of life, resulting in the variations of depressive and angry responses. Counseling will focus on how to biblically respond to the issues which are exposing the heart, in a God-honoring way.
Depression
There is a difference between depression and sorrow resulting from a particular circumstance. Sorrow is the natural grieving process that results from the trials of life. Depression is an accepted hopelessness that ensues when one has lost focus and trust in God over their circumstance. Counseling will focus on how to help you grieve biblically, while learning how to accept and find joy in the trials through the lens of God's sovereign and loving hand.
Obsessive Compulsive Response
Obsessive compulsions are driven by a need to have control and to protect self, which ultimately stems from a heart of fear. Counseling will focus on getting to the heart of fear, learning to submit those fears to God, and trusting in His loving and sovereign character over every area of life, until you are matured into the loving child of God He desires you to be.
Faith Crisis
Jesus made a polarizing, yet clarifying statement when He claimed to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). There are answers to the questions you face, and they are found in person and words of Jesus (John 17:17). God is not afraid of your questions or doubts (Psa. 22:1-3) but instead invites you to Himself, in love (1 John 4:15-19). Our counseling will focus on getting to the heart of the questions you face and to look to Jesus and His word for the answers.
Marriage Issues
Marriage is between two sinners who are meant to represent Christ and His Bride (Eph. 5:32). Much of what we deal with is a failure to practice the gospel through grace and forgiveness. We also run into problems when the husband is not leading or the wife is not submitting (Eph. 5:22-33). There are a litany of issues we will deal with, but the word of God has answers. God loves marriage and desires our marriages to honor Him, that we may glorify Him and reap the fruit of love and joy that comes with it. Counseling will focus on implementing gospel principles, repentance, forgiveness, and learning how to live as a husband or wife in the way God desires.
Parenting Issues
Parenting is challenging. Some days seem like we are simply trying to survive to bedtime. This is because children are sinners (Psa. 51:5; Eph. 2:1) who need discipline, love, and discipling in the Lord (Deut. 6:7; Eph 6:4). Children are a blessing and a reward (Psa. 127), but they need guidance. They need the word of God to transform them. God has given you, as a parent, this responsibility. Counseling will focus on equipping you, as the parents, to disciple, discipline, and exemplify the gospel to your children in a way that is honoring to the Lord. We will cover the specific issues your children are facing and provide biblical answers to produce the God-honoring fruit in each of your lives.
Post-Traumatic Stress
Some events in life are so traumatic, they can leave us experiencing guilt, shame, fear, and anger. God understands and invites you to Himself (Heb. 4:14-16). The good news is that you are not broken beyond repair. You simply need help how to properly navigate these events in a way that submits control, guilt, and uncertainty to God. Counseling will focus on letting go of control, submitting to the sovereign hand of God, cutting off the lies that influence guilt, and returning to the way of life that honors the Lord.
Scrupulosity
Scrupulosity is distress over intrusive thoughts and imperfection that results in obsession of religious rituals in order to appease God. There is a deep rooted fear of sin and even the questioning of one's salvation. One of the most difficult realizations for those struggling with scrupulosity is that, at the heart, this is a distrust and lack of confidence in what Christ has done on the cross (Rom. 8:1). Scrupulosity is anti-gospel. Our counseling will focus on confession, repentance, renewing your mind to think biblically about sin and the freedom found in the true gospel, and replacing fear driven rituals with God-honoring love.
Further
Counseling Topics
If you are unsure if we cover a specific problem with which you are struggling, please reach out to us by email at biblicalcounselingutah@gmail.com.
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