TURNING TO A COUNSELOR

While reading I Samuel 1, I noticed an incident of pastoral counseling. 

Hannah is barren.  Her husband, Elkanah, loves her dearly.  However, Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, taunts Hannah relentlessly. 

Hannah is distraught.

On a yearly trip to worship God and make sacrifices, Hannah “slipped away quietly and entered the sanctuary."  Eli is on duty at the time. 

“Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to GOD and cried and cried – inconsolably.  Then she made a vow” that if God answered her prayer for a son, she would dedicate the son to the Lord’s service! 

Now, her praying was silent – only her lips moved.  Eli was watching and assumed that she was drunk.  He began to reprimand her. 

She explained her situation, “Don’t for a minute think that I’m a bad woman.  It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.” 

Eli answered her, “Go in peace.  And may the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him.”

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It’s a brief encounter between a suffering woman and a leader who has a pastor’s heart.  

She is hurting deeply and, in desperation, cries out to God. 

The pastor/counselor intervenes – even if out of a misunderstanding of the situation. 

She explains her plight to him.  He listens attentively and sees the depth of her pain. 

She tells him of the vow she’s just made.

He senses her sincerity. 

Having completely bared herself to him, he offers her consolation and the peace of God, adding his own prayer that her cry will be answered by Almighty God! 

Upon returning home, Elkanah sleeps with Hannah and she conceives a son.  Samuel [‘I asked God for him’] is born within the year.  She nurtures him for several years and then takes him to Eli to enter the service of God! 

Samuel becomes the last ‘Judge’ of Israel and a great prophet who anoints the first two kings of Israel:  Saul and David! 

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Over the years, since obtaining my counseling degree, I’ve been privileged to work with hundreds of couples, many families and individuals!  Some of those relationships were brief, others long-lasting.  Some of these relationships were beneficial, producing greater health, satisfaction and new direction. 

I wasn’t always able to connect with people.  I’ve consistently taught that there are many factors involved in connecting with a counselor.  If one isn’t able to help, don’t give up!  Try again with a different counselor!  They vary in skill, personality, approach, experience, and compassion – trying only one is potentially depriving yourself of the help you so desperately need! 

I’ve personally turned to counselors a number of times in my life and have been helped by their intervention. 

It can be very rewarding to gain a new perspective on your situation and be given previously unconsidered options for your problem or dilemma.  

Regaining a sense of understanding and balance in your life is vitally satisfying!  Peace is restored.  Joy is renewed.  Hope is re-ignited.  Prayers are answered.  Thanks be to God!