Grief Counseling by Dean Gotcher

Grief Counseling.

by
Dean Gotcher

"Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Hebrews 12:11

Grief comes from being helpless in doing anything about a situation (you have not control over) which permanently separates you from something or someone you love. While it is focused upon the person or thing you are permanently separated from it is really about you missing out on having or relating with who or what you love. Most often grief is associated with the death of a loved one, but it is also associated with not being able to communicate with a loved one, more then likely their unwillingness or inability to listen to you. Our Lord was acquainted with grief over people who he loved who would not listen to him, i.e., who rejecting him, would die in their sins, being separated from him throughout eternity, suffering instead in the lake of fire that is never quenched.

Counseling today leaves out the Love of the Father—why our Lord Jesus Christ, came, i.e., to 'redeem' us, by his shed blood, i.e., death on the cross, covering our sins from the Father's wrath upon us for our disobedience, i.e., for our sins, with the Father 'reconciling' us to himself, through the resurrection of his Son from the grave, that we might participate in his Holiness and inherit eternal life. Leave this truth out and all you have is counselors (even in the "church") 'redeeming' man from the Father, 'reconciling' them to themselves and the world, leaving them to die in their sins.

"[E]very one of us shall give account of himself to God." Romans 14:12

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:24-27

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Timothy 3:13 - 4:4