Why you should become a Certified Biblical Counselor

God's Word speaks into every area to which our lives love to wander. It is Jesus Himself that has the sole authority to speak into our marriages, our parenting, our finances, our anxiety, our sexuality, our goals, etc. When people come to us for help, they do not need our opinions or the opinions of the world. They need the Word of God.

Learning to apply God's Word to situations in my own life has been invaluable. I'm sure that you can relate. I was seeking His guidance for launching new a new ministry initiative. Yet, I was perplexed. Should I add something new to my already busy schedule? I turned to a favorite passage.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

As I prayed over this Scripture, God spoke to me. The event that I was praying about includes a Backpacking Discipleship Ministry. We want to make disciples here in the Colorado mountains. If you have ever been to the high rockies, you know how epic these hiking trails are! God simply reassured me that He was directing my "path" in this verse. So, pray as we step in faith for the Summer 2019! 

This is a basic illustration of God's counsel. How He leads His people. Before you can lead others into His Word, you must first be a person that receives counsel from God.

In this post, I want to give 3 reasons why Investing your time, talent and treasure toward the goal of being equipped as a biblical counselor is the right thing to do.

1.  We personally need counsel and fellowship. When you become certified, you enjoy a whole new community of like-minded counselors. There is much support and help as you train to serve others. You will likely need a network of Christ followers who are able to help and support you in your journey as a counselor. I have been blown away by the support and openness of other biblical counselors. Help and encouragement is truly just a text, call, or email away, and that is so helpful as I grow in this area of ministry.
2. We need continued growth. Earning a degree in Biblical Counseling is a great first step. Yet, all of us know that there is much more to learn. As a certified counselor, you will enjoy conferences, workshops and resources to keep you sharp. 
3. You are called to this. If God has placed Biblical Counseling on your heart, what better way to spend it than by learning to help people to become worshipers of what truly matters? The certification process is rigorous but attainable.  It’s also truly enjoyable. You will grow to know your Savior better as you grow in knowledge of His word. As you walk through the process, it’s like light bulbs start turning on with every page you read and every exam response you complete. You will find yourself using what you learn right away in conversations and various ministry situations, and that is truly a joyful experience. Let me encourage you to jump in 

Your turn. What will your next step be? Let us know in the comment section below.