Fresh Bread | Daily Devotion #11

The

Wonderful

Counselor

Fresh Bread | Daily Devotion #11 - Pastor Tanya Brown

Jesus- Wonderful Counselor Break Through the Layers of our Lives

When I was a little girl, I was always trying to fix people's problems. One time I set up a stand offering counseling services for five cents. I think I was nine years old. Another time at age twelve I tried to give my mother marital advice. She had to be the most gracious woman that ever walked the planet. I'm sure she had a permanent crease in her tongue from biting it to keep from saying what she really wanted to say to me. Instead, she graciously said, "Well, when you get married be sure to use all the advice you're giving me." I remember standing there looking dumbfounded. She was so nice and exhibited tremendous self- control because she never said the things to me that she could have said.

Since becoming an adult, I have periodically thought I might benefit from a counselor myself. Normal concerns (that you don't think are normal at the time) that come with marriage and raising children, becoming a First lady after only two weeks of being married, and living one thousand miles away from my closest relatives while raising two children, losing our daughter and raising two of her children might have been reasons enough to seek out a counselor.

At age 24, I went from living for myself to being thrust into the role of wife, mother and First Lady seemingly overnight, all of which required interaction with others while under the spot light. Relationships with others helps you to see yourself in a different light. How you respond to others reveals what's really in you. Relationships with others no matter how intense or how irritating aren't necessarily the cause of your problems, but relationships with people can certainly reveal problems already inside of you. In fact, the most important revelation you'll receive from relationships with others is that you are your biggest problem. Nobody can mess up your life like you can. You can blame your spouse, you can blame your parents. You can blame God. You can blame the government. You can blame the church, but YOU are your greatest enemy. In similar fashion, neither Goliath nor Saul could destroy David, but his adultery destroyed his family. Neither Delilah nor ten thousand Philistines could destroy Samson because his strength was not of this world. He had killed a lion with his bare hands. He killed one thousand Philistines with a jawbone, but he destroyed himself by laying his head in Delilah's lap, and his own mouth slayed him by telling her the secret of his power. Moses led a whole nation out of slavery and survived 10 different plagues, the red sea, Pharoah's army, and the ridicule of his siblings who were supposed to be on his side, but his own anger caused him to miss out on the promised land after all he had done that was good. Then there is King Saul. He could not be killed by the Philistines, but disobedience did him in. If you don't kill those works of the flesh: adultery, fornication, idolatry, hatred, anger, strife, drunkenness, jealousy, greed, lust and such like, if you continue to yield to them you are signing your own death warrant. But If you yield yourself to the things of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance) you will live an abundant life.

Everyone needs someone at some point and time in their lives who can advise or help them navigate through the challenges of life. Counselors are trained to give guidance. They help clients unravel the complexities of their thoughts which control their attitudes and behavior. When choosing a human counselor clients often seek one who can relate to them, who is like them or from the same back ground they are from because they want a counselor who can understand what they feel or think. Just because a person is called a counselor doesn't mean they can automatically meet the needs of their client. Sometimes people have to try two or three counselors before they find someone who can actually understand and relate to their needs. The counselor does an assessment and asks questions in an effort to get to know his client better, but one human being can never fully know another the way Christ knows each of us.

Isaiah 9:6 says of Christ, And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor.. Wonderful means he is superior to every other kind; that he is perfect in every way. There is no question about whether he understands or can relate to us. He created us and knows us fully. The Bible says he didn't need any one to tell him about man because he knew what was in man. (John 2:25). Jesus is qualified in ways no human counselor is. Colossians 2:3 says In Christ is hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Jesus always knows what we are going through and he always knows the right way to lead us. We can trust Him. Proverbs 3:5. tells us to Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. He promises to guide us and direct us. Proverbs 3:6 tells us to acknowledge him in all thy ways and he shall direct thy paths.

As you engage in your 5 minute prayer three times a day and meditate on the scriptures you just read, tell him all about your troubles. Take your time and lay them out before Him. The hymn says, "He will guide til the day is done. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus no not one, no not one". Jesus, the Wonderful Counselor is a wonderful friend. Talk to him today about your deepest needs. Don't worry about how many layers there are to unravel. He, the perfect counselor, can cut through layers and get to the root of the problem. Trust Him, try him. He satisfies.

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Are you doing what you thought you would be doing then?
Do you feel like you have purpose in life and that you are fulfilling that purpose? Why or why not?
Which of the works of the flesh do you want to overcome?
Who are you blaming for the problems in your life?
What is hindering you from changing?
Have you been completely honest with the Lord about the areas in which you are seeking a breakthrough?
Jesus is the superior counselor. Write him a letter or a list telling him honestly those things you need and are trusting him for.
Now read him your list, and if you have no words remember he can interpret moans and even tears.
Communicate with him for 5 minutes in whatever way he leads.