Peter talks about the living hope that is ours through our new birth in Christ. As those who serve in the place of pastoral leadership and are involved in pastoral counseling, the ultimate message that we have to give individuals is that we have a “living hope” through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While it is important to share with people good advice in pastoral counseling that may have very practical application, all pastoral counseling should be based in what Christ has done for us and what He continues to do for us. Keeping all things in perspective will be extremely helpful as you offer encouragement and guidance to those who come to you with issues in their life that are difficult to deal with.
Consider how you can always work in to the pastoral counseling you do the message of Christ and how Christ can bring “inexpressible and glorious joy,” even in the midst of life’s struggles. How will you preface your pastoral counseling session and how will you end each session? Will those who sit with you recognize that the session was first of all “pastoral” and that all was based in Christ?
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