Imagine your friend coming over to tell you of the trial that his or her marriage has become. Bam, instantly you become a counselor. Your manner of listening, attempting to understand, advising, and encouraging your friend are now given a test drive. But will your counselmobile actually run? Will it do what God has placed you in that moment, in that situation to do?
Can we know what God wants to accomplish in every counseling situation that might arise in your life? Are there universal principles that would apply to any friend, any crisis, or any issue?
I'd suggest that there are at least two goals that every peer counselor hold up as part of the evaluation of his counsel.
The first is to demonstrate in your listening and in your effort to understand that God is right there with the person in his or her trial. God has compassion on him. God deeply loves her. And you are there to flesh out His love.
The second is to encourage your friend toward love and good works. Yes, in their trial, they often would prefer hatred and/or evil works, but your job is to call them back to that calling God has placed on their lives.
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