God Utilizes Various Kinds of Counselors to Abet Others

Some people struggle their entire lives, yet never understand the meaning for their anxiety and emotional pain. Whether they suffer from spiritual conflicts or other hindrances, it is crucial to find the right type of counselor in order to improve mental health. In his book, Discipleship Counseling, The complete guide to helping others walk in freedom and grow in Christ, Dr. Anderson defines anxiety as “a fear of the unknown or fear without an adequate cause” (2003, p. 50). Indeed, at times, we all tend to worry needlessly over things that are not within our power to control. Yet the Bible states, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour of his life?” (Matthew 6:25, New International Version). Successfully, discipleship and introspection increases the understanding of God in the life of a Christian (Frederick, 2008).

When coping with a mental health issue, it is important to discern whether a problem is psychological and when it is a spiritual one (Anderson, 2003). In an article in Pastoral Psychology, Dr. Frederick defines spirituality as “the process of the individual engaging in a relationship with the divine” (2008). Christian counselors teach that a belief that God is within each of us, is the first step to developing spirituality. Undeniably, becoming more spiritual can be extremely useful in dealing with emotional problems. Once a person achieves a higher level of spirituality, and develops a deeper relationship with God, it is important to understand, “because we are spiritual people who live in a spiritual world, the Bible gives no indication that it is ever safe to take off the armor of God” (Anderson, 2003, p. 58).

Dr. Anderson underscores, a message that understanding the true nature of God, and discerning who...

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