For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called;
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
Good counselors are difficult to find. My husband and I learned this first-hand when exploring options for one of our sons. Most of the psychologists and counselors we were referred to were fairly knowledgeable. The diplomas on the walls attested to that. Yet their area of expertise was treating neuro-typical children. They didn’t fully grasp our son’s challenges, sensory issues, and thought processes, which made most of their advice useless.
Then a friend told me about a therapist who has a grandson with autism. From the moment we met, I realized we had finally found the right counselor. Her personal experience not only enabled her to empathize with our son, but also empowered her to provide him with the help he needed.
In Christ, we have a Wonderful Counselor. Not just a source of wisdom but Wisdom Himself. Not just someone who will listen and offer wisdom, but a God who came down from heaven to live among us, walk alongside us, carry our burdens, and stay with us through every struggle and hardship. We are not alone in our trials. Jesus can fully identify with us because He endured suffering for our sake. He felt the sting of rejection, the pain of losing a beloved parent, the hurt of disappointment when friends failed Him. There’s nothing we suffer that Jesus can’t understand which makes Him the perfect counselor.
Thought: “Think about the profound love Jesus exhibited when He took on flesh to identify with the struggles you face. Christmas offers you decisive evidence that your Savior knows exactly what it is like to be you.” – Charles F. Stanley