Wonderful Counselor

<p>Isaiah 9:6-7 is part of an Old Testament promise of a Messiah: a Rescuer and King for the whole world! This passage lists tons of names that are ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. One of those names is “Wonderful Counselor.” We may not always think a lot about this name, but it has special importance for me because I meet with a counselor for my mental health. My counselor helps me process my thoughts and emotions and learn how to manage feelings of depression, anxiety, stress, and whatever challenges I am facing.</p><p>.</p><p>Counselors are experts at understanding: they study how the brain works and are trained to listen and understand and help people move forward through struggles. Good counselors are compassionate, wise, and full of advice and guidance.</p><p>.</p><p>Jesus uses my counselor to help me, and He is available too! Jesus is the perfect counselor. His eternal wisdom is beyond our understanding, and He invites us to come to Him with all our struggles. He is fully God, so He knows and understands us better than anyone else because He created us! Jesus is also fully human, so He knows what it’s like to live in a world broken by sin. However, although Jesus was tempted and suffered, He was obedient and faithful to God through it all. Hebrews 4:14-16 says that Jesus empathizes with our weaknesses, and He invites us to come to Him for help any time.</p><p>.</p><p>Sometimes I feel alone in my struggles, but meeting with a counselor reminds me that I’m not alone and that people care for me. Most of all, Jesus reminds me that I am never alone. No matter the challenges we face, He loves us and will never leave us (Matthew 28:20). He died and rose again on our behalf, and even when nothing seems to make sense, we can rest in the truth that He has become wisdom for us (1 Corinthians 1:30), fully redeeming us and uniting us to Himself.</p><p>.</p><p>Mental health is a long journey with ups and downs. But I know that God uses our struggles to open up unique opportunities to help and encourage others (2 Corinthia