Christian Counseling Today Vol. 21, Iss. 2

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christian counseling today Vol. 21 no. 2 83
n Addressing separation and isola-
tion in all of their forms in life,
working hard to help people move
beyond their disconnection and into
authentic relational communities
that touch that isolation.
n Addressing loss of freedom (i.e., loss
of personal boundaries) in all rela-
tionships and helping them develop
the autonomy and “self-control” the
Bible teaches, ending the feeling
of being controlled or abused by
others and developing freedom from
oppression.
n Addressing the shame and guilt
caused by failure, sin, or “not being
good enough”—and any other
way in which people feel “bad”—
by focusing on God’s forgiveness,
leading them to be real with each
other about their struggles and fail-
ures, and receiving the forgiveness
and acceptance of others.
n Addressing the pain that has come
in life in all its various forms, such
as abuse, loss, addictions, broken-
heartedness, etc., not only by
normalizing it from the pulpit, but
also leading with a vision to build
and resource a community that has
structured groups and meetings
where those needs can be met.
n Addressing how to build up people’s
self-reliance by their growth in gifts,
abilities and talents so they can
be productive in both serving the
Church, as well as finding job and
career growth.
n Addressing everyone’s need to serve
the poor and others by calling and
equipping them to have ministry in
the community.
Think about this list for a moment:
isolation, boundaries, shame and guilt,
pain and abuse, growing in talents
and fruitfulness, and service. Is that
a “spiritual” list or an “emotional-
psychological” one? Yes… if leadership
in ministry and business could see that
God has always called His “shepherds”
to tend to the flock in these key areas,
the Church would be a substantial force
for mental health. ✠
For further reading about how these issues
affect the spiritual and psychological life,
see Changes that Heal (Zondervan) or
visit .
Henry Cloud, Ph.D.,
is a psychologist, leadership
consultant and coach, and
author of several leadership
books, including: Necessary
Endings, Boundaries for
Leaders, and Integrity. You can find him at
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