Spiritual Attacks
When choosing to do work for the Lord, it comes at a cost. A cost that the payer knows will come due, just not how or when. Or, frankly, how many times because it is certain to be more than once. Throughout my graduate program in counseling, several professors stated in various ways how important it is to know that a Christian counselor has a target on their back because to choose to minister in this way raises a special hate from Satan. I heard it, I believed it, and I have felt it, but recently, through personal experiences, it has become far clearer to me than ever before. Christian counselors experience attacks on their hearts, minds, and spirits - in our marriages, parenting, money, insecurities, and deep hurts. Even our belief in people is not off-limits. That's hard when we work with people. The Father of Lies will even cause us to struggle with the choice we have made to become counselors. The ripples of adverse effects upon us wouldn't keep going if we didn’t have those targets. As John 10:10 tells us, the thief comes to seek, kill, and destroy. Seek. Kill. Destroy. He will do this to every element possible whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, in the present moment, keep you stuck in the past, or afraid of the future. When he can't mess with one thing effectively, he will aim for another. Nowhere are we told his hate or capacity has limits for as long as he exists.
The proof of the valuable work we do is not just in the amount clients see, or even their progress for positive change, though that is a result of God’s work through us. The proof can also be found in the hits we take in our lives as Christian counselors, in every aspect of our lives, especially those that affect our focus as a therapist. Sometimes the hits shake us, sometimes we bounce off the floor, and sometimes we get caught in the ropes. The hits wouldn’t be so hard, the discouragement wouldn't be so distracting, and the confusion not so jarring if the intent wasn’t meant to stop us from helping people, especially in the name of Christ. We must be open to the reality of Satan's ways. It takes a lot of courage and strength to wear and carry the target, but that is what Christ died to give us, so we can share His power with the clients we help. He is the ultimate source. The cost to pay, for us as counselors, is not the choice to take the target, it is the perseverance to keep doing it and to do it for His glory and by His power. We must be diligent to keep that perspective and ask for God's protection in ALL ways over our hearts, minds, and for our loved ones. Even for the sake of the lives we touch. Be encouraged to stay diligent in your walk and work for Christ. The fight for our minds is very real.
April S. Norcross
Intern Professional Counselor
