Help! An Adventist friend is heavily into personal formation ie using a coach to overcome insecurities etc. Adventists have lots to say about the dangers of spiritual formation but I can't find anything warning against personal formation. Please advise. I eagerly await your response.
This question is hard to answer without having additional information.
At one extreme, the Bible says that there is safety in a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 24:6). At the other extreme, Jesus said to call no man your father (Matthew 23:9).
The SOP has a lot of warnings against hypnosis and spiritualism and similar things.
From this raw data we can conclude that seeking counsel of others is not inherently bad, but any use of spiritual directors or hypnosis or the control of one mind over another is completely out.
Beyond this, we can observe that we have an individual choice to make about whether to follow God, and this involves the ongoing exercise of the power of the will. This is not something that another person can do for us.
The same is true for our ongoing walk of faith -- another person cannot do this in our stead.
It's interesting to note what the SOP says about telling problems to others.
When perplexities arise, and difficulties confront you, look not for help to humanity. Trust all with God. The practice of telling our difficulties to others only makes us weak, and brings no strength to them. It lays upon them the burden of our spiritual infirmities, which they cannot relieve. We seek the strength of erring, finite man, when we might have the strength of the unerring, infinite God. {COL 146.3}
If you have perplexities and troubles--and these are the common lot of mankind--do not tell them to others, and thus shadow their path. Do not go for help to every source but the right one; but tell Jesus everything; take it to the Lord in prayer, and then believe that he accepts you and your burden. Faith is the gift of God, but the power to exercise it is yours. A single earnest expression of faith strengthens faith; but every expression of doubt confirms doubt, and helps to gather about your soul the dark shadows of unbelief. Then do not open your soul to Satan's temptations by cherishing and expressing the doubts that he insinuates. Talk faith and courage. Press to the light; and bright beams from the Sun of Righteousness will dispel clouds and darkness, and sweet peace will pervade the soul. {ST, March 5, 1885 par. 13}
I:m not sure what the difference between "coach" and "counselor" is, Shireen, I do know that my best friend from academy days was royally ruined by a so-called "counselor" later in life when that person advised him to divorce if he couldn:t handle his money well. I told him that counselor (SDA) was speaking contrary to God:s words, but he decided to follow his advice anyway, and basically ruined his life.
It:s never wise to go contrary to God:s words, no matter how many letter after their name someone has.
While it is true that there are some things we are not to open to anyone else but God, most things in life we can get words of experience and counsel on from others. That is as God would have it, and one big reason for having an organization - church - in this world, so that we can lift each other up.
Thanks webmaster for your response. Here is a link to an article explaining the difference between coaching and counseling: https://hopeandwellnessomaha.com/coaching-v-counseling-whats-the-difference/
Counseling focuses on the past and healing from past hurt. Coaching focuses on the future and takes a object-oriented approach towards life. Both focus on the goal of enabling the client to become the best they can be.
Thanks webmaster for your response. Here is a link to an article explaining the difference between coaching and counseling: https://hopeandwellnessomaha.com/coaching-v-counseling-whats-the-difference/
Counseling focuses on the past and healing from past hurt. Coaching focuses on the future and takes a object-oriented approach towards life. Both focus on the goal of enabling the client to become the best they can be.
It seems to me that for most people, the best investment they can make is not a coach or counselor, but rather spending time in getting to know Jesus Christ through study and prayer.
No other person can have our spiritual walk for us, and spending time and energy in this area is much more likely to have a high payoff than anything else we can do.
Here's another quote that touches on this point.
It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross. {DA 83.4}
Thanks webmaster for your response. Here is a link to an article explaining the difference between coaching and counseling: https://hopeandwellnessomaha.com/coaching-v-counseling-whats-the-difference/
Counseling focuses on the past and healing from past hurt. Coaching focuses on the future and takes a object-oriented approach towards life. Both focus on the goal of enabling the client to become the best they can be.
It seems to me that for most people, the best investment they can make is not a coach or counselor, but rather spending time in getting to know Jesus Christ through study and prayer.
No other person can have our spiritual walk for us, and spending time and energy in this area is much more likely to have a high payoff than anything else we can do.
Here's another quote that touches on this point.
It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially the closing ones. As we thus dwell upon His great sacrifice for us, our confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will be quickened, and we shall be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of the cross. {DA 83.4}
