Change is a scary world, that most people chose to avoid. Thomas & Sosin (2011) describe that people realize they need to change because they feel pain. Other words for change include molding, shaping, and growing. The process of change begins with understanding that something needs to be different, whether that be a relationship or a habit. Something is not working the way it should and change is necessary to improve the quality of life. When I think of change, I think of molding and shaping. It makes me think of the story in the bible of God being the potter and his people being the clay. Within the counseling session, we are to be present with our clients to help them mold themselves. That process includes realizing change in necessary, being ready and willing to make that change, understanding what the change will entail, taking action, and keeping the commitment.
Change is a scary thing; however, being present and being available for the client can be greatly beneficial. I have heard many professors say, don't take a client where you aren't willing to go. This applies to change also. If the counselor is not willing to make changes in one's own life, then you cannot expect your client to want to change his/her habits, behaviors, or relationships.
Thomas, J.C. & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.
Good Afternoon Shiloh!
ReplyDeleteThere are a few things I would like to comment about in your blog. First, I agree that change is scary for a lot of people. Because of this anxiety and fear of change, people can go to great lengths to control, avoid, or even deny there is a problem. An example would be someone who plans out their day hour by hour and gets stressed when something doesn't "go as plan." Second, I like how you used the illustration of the potters wheel! We are they clay indeed. Also, in that illustration is the clay never complaining about the potters design, or shape of the clay. Finally, I agree with you about the counselor being the example for the client in change and how the counselor cannot expect the client to change if they are not willing to change themselves. Identification, empathy and building rapport are vital to assisting the client with change. Thanks for your thoughts and feelings this week!
Hey James! Thank you for your reply! I think that you are exactly right in pointing out that people go to great lengths to control, avoid, and deny the problem. And in some cases that is unintentional, but probably in most it is intentional. The story in the bible about the clay and the potter is one of my favorite illustrations in the bible. I believe it shows us how we are molded and formed in the way God designed us to be molded and formed. I was a prayer leader on campus for 2 years and I talked about these passages in the bible. I also read a story about it. A short version of the story is that there was this man who made pottery. He had like chunks of clay and he would write there story (resembling God). There was this one piece of clay, I think the author name her Chloe (to resemble us). Chloe begins the story by admiring all the pieces that the artist had made and hoped to a vase, being sleek and beautiful. However, the potter made her into a sugar container to sit on the table. Chloe was disappointed because she wasn't beautiful like the vases were; however, she realized that every morning she got to be in connection with the potter/artist every morning when he made his coffee. It was a great story showing how God molds us to be the way he designed us to be, even it wasn't what we had in mind!
ReplyDeleteShiloh,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog, it was wonderfully put. I completely agree that God, our great counselor, is the Potter's hand that is constantly molding us and facilitating change within us. We, as counselors, need to be aware of the shape that He is molding us to, so that in turn, we are able to use the gifts, talents, past experiences that He blessed us with to help mold our clients.