The Patient Listener: My Reflections on Biblical Counseling

I chose this topic for the last reading response because this is our report topic, together with Ms. Rhea. The title is "Why Biblical Counseling and not Psychology?" It is the 3rd chapter in the book, Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically. When I first studied this for our report, I realized that true counseling is more than simply giving advice or telling someone what to do. But it is about helping people to understand their struggles through truth, compassion, and guidance rooted in God’s Word. And the chapter showed that counseling should aim for real heart changes, not just temporary solutions.

As a student, I can also relate to this because many of us, as young people, including me, can experience stress, anxiety, self-doubt, and pressure from academics, our family expectations, and also about the future. And there are times when I feel overwhelmed, but I do not know how to express it. And sometimes many students keep smiling outside while carrying many problems inside their lives. But to be honest, in this topic, according to John MacArthur, reminds me that people have problems or something, she or he needs someone who will listen sincerely and guide them wisely. Hindi lang yung magbibigay tayo lagi ng advice. Counseling should be done with love and patience. Even when someone is struggling, other people can quickly judge them or tell them to just be strong. But in reality, sometimes our example to help them comes when someone takes time to understand the pain behind the behavior. And as students, we all need people who will encourage us instead of condemning us.

As I conclude this topic, this chapter has made me reflect on the times when I tried to solve my problems alone. And I sometimes try to keep stress to myself because I do not want to give a burden to my family, friends, and especially to my special someone, and syempre to others. But the reality is that this reminds me that asking for help is not a weakness. It takes humility and courage to open up and seek guidance from others specially the Guidance of our God. It is also challenging for me to be more mindful of how I respond to others' problems every time I encounter people who have those problems. And some of my classmates who seem lazy, rude, or distant, but syempre, perhaps they are struggling silently. So instead of judging them quickly, I should learn to be patient, kind, and willing to listen to their problems.

Analyn Capuli
3rd year BSCED-VE
Intro. To Guidance Counseling
Reading Response 4