6. I don’t need to go to counseling.
About a year ago, I started going to counseling. And about a year ago, I started wishing I had gone much, much sooner. As a pastor, I thought it was admitting weakness to go and talk to someone about my issues. I thought I would lose credibility if word got out I was seeking help.
In retrospect, I believe this is a lie from the devil and something pastors should never say. I wanted to deal with stuff on my own, but it didn’t work. I wanted to pray problems away because, after all, if I’ve got the Holy Spirit and the Bible; that’s all I needed. But that’s neither true nor biblical. The book of Proverbs is full of encouragement to seek the counsel of others.
There’s a pastor reading this who needs to go to counseling … who needs to go with his wife to counseling. I can say this because I’ve been there. Listen … overcoming that fear is nothing compared to the crap you will deal with if you continue to refuse help. It’s not a sign of spiritual maturity. It’s a sign of stubbornness and pride.
I have a great counselor, and she has been a huge help to me. I’ve learned about the issues behind the issue, and not in some weird, hyperspiritual, super-Freudian way. It’s just a healthy feeling.
