Faith That Listens

Why Biblical Counseling Must Begin with Empathy

Everyone has heard the story of the man who fell in a hole during a storm. He cried out for help. Pretty soon, a priest came by and said, “I will pray for you.” And walked away. Afterwards, a construction worker came by and said I will find someone to help you and walked away. All the sudden, an old man jumped in. The guy said, “what are you doing, now you’re stuck like me.” The old man said “Nah… I know the way out. I too have been in this hole before.”

Story is the best way to describe my heart and mindset. I have been in more holes that I can count. If I took the time, I could retrace each one of those predicaments back to when I made a poor smaller choice that led to those consequences. One of the “holes” that I am most familiar with is “guilt” and his best friend “regret.” It has been the deepest hole for me. I once told my dean at the seminary that I would rather try to break free from Heroin than Guilt. And no, I have not ever tried Heroin, but I hear its very addictive.

In summary, I want to convey FIRST and most IMPORTANTLY my heartfelt empathy to you. This is a judgement free zone. Obviously, I am in  NO position to judge someone else.

I could write pages and pages on this topic, but I want to make this one short, so you do not miss the point:

I do not believe that we can say that we can “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” IF, we do not “…Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Dr. Lanny R Morrow II, Th. D