As a counselor I see people all the time who are seeking to change some area of their life. As you study the Bible you’ll see that there are five specific elements that are needed before you will be able to achieve that change and reach a stage of healing.
My favorite book, aside from the Bible, is The Search for Significance. Throughout the book, author Robert McGee speaks that all five of these elements must be in place to achieve long-term healing and change. If any of them are missing you will have trouble reaching that stage. The five elements are:
1. Honesty with God, with others and with yourself – Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom, (Psalm 51:6).
2. Affirming Relationships – The Bible speaks of the responsibility of friends and family to confront, encourage, and build up christian brothers and sisters. We read of the need to bear each other’s burdens. Part of change and healing is having healthy relationships with others who will do this for us.
3. Beliefs and thoughts that are based on Scripture – Just as important, we need to believe in the Word of God and live based on its teachings.
4. Direction and power of the Holy Spirit – When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth . . . (John 16:13).
5. Time – Healing and change takes time. Even when all of the other four elements in place, it will not happen overnight. However, with patience and work and all of the elements coming together, true change and healing is absolutely possible.
Yes, all five of the elements are truly necessary, but honesty is listed first for a reason. Honesty must come before any of the other elements are possible, and no change will ever happen without that honesty being part of the equation. If you are struggling, pray that God would help you to see any areas in your life that need to change.
We need to be willing to admit that we have a problem in order to move forward with the changing process. We also need to have a close friend who we can rely on to work with us and hold us accountable. Honesty is necessary with this person as well. Honesty is truly the first step towards change and healing!
Ann Shorb is the founder of CCES. She is an experienced Christian counselor that provides Christian marriage counseling and help with sexual addiction, in addition to help with a wide variety of other issues.
