The goal of biblical counseling is to provide God-centered guidance for those facing life's struggles. At its heart, biblical counseling is about helping people see their lives through the lens of Scripture, offering hope, clarity, and direction in the midst of difficult circumstances. One of the primary tasks of a biblical counselor is to carefully understand the problems a person is experiencing. Paul Tripp’s book, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands, provides a helpful framework by outlining four key categories that counselors can use to discern the real issues a person is facing.
Situational Problems
Situational problems refer to the challenging circumstances people encounter in a fallen world. These can include health issues, strained relationships, financial difficulties, and other life situations that bring stress and anxiety. A wise counselor will take the time to fully understand the situational problems a person is dealing with, recognizing that these circumstances often lie at the surface of deeper issues.
It’s important to acknowledge that while we may not always have control over our circumstances, God is sovereign over every detail of our lives. Romans 8:28 reminds us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” By helping counselees see their circumstances in light of God’s sovereignty, we can guide them toward trust and reliance on Him.
Response Problems
In every situation, how we choose to respond reveals much about our spiritual state. Difficult circumstances can either lead us closer to God or drive us into sinful responses. The pressure of trials, much like physical pressure, can either refine us or cause us to break. A biblical counselor must discern whether a person’s responses to their situation are aligning with God’s Word or if they are falling into sin, bitterness, or despair.
Galatians 5:16 encourages us to “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” By discerning response problems, counselors can help individuals understand where they might be resisting the Holy Spirit’s work in their lives and encourage them to respond in a way that glorifies God.
Thought Problems
While situational and response problems are often visible, thought problems are more hidden and require careful discernment. Proverbs 20:5 states, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” A counselor should listen intently to how a person speaks, as their words often reveal underlying beliefs, attitudes, and perceptions.
Our thoughts shape how we interpret our circumstances, and if our thinking is distorted, our responses and motives will likely follow suit. By gently probing and asking thoughtful questions, counselors can help individuals identify and correct unbiblical thought patterns, leading them toward a renewed mind as described in Romans 12:2.
Motive Problems
The final category to consider is motive problems, which involve discerning the desires driving a person’s actions. Often, people are motivated by a desire to alleviate their circumstances rather than seeking God’s glory or submitting to His will. A counselor’s task is to help individuals examine their hearts, asking questions like: “What is your ultimate goal in this situation?” or “Are you seeking comfort and relief, or are you seeking to honor God?”
James 4:3 warns that “when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” By uncovering motive problems, counselors can guide individuals toward a heart posture that desires God’s will above all else.
Additional Categories for Discernment
To fully grasp the complexities of a person’s situation, it’s helpful to consider additional categories that can deepen your understanding and enhance your counseling approach:
- Is this person saved or unsaved? Understanding a person’s spiritual state is crucial, as an unbeliever will require a different approach than a believer. Without the Holy Spirit, true heart change is impossible.
- What Biblical category describes the person? 1 Thessalonians 5:14 instructs us to “admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.” It’s important to identify where the person falls within these categories to provide appropriate counsel.
- What Biblical category describes the problem? Is the person dealing with the suffering of life, the consequences of sin, or something else? Using biblical language to describe the problem helps ensure that our counsel is grounded in Scripture.
- What insights does the Bible give about the causes and remedies of the problem? The Bible is rich with wisdom about the roots of our struggles and the ways God provides healing and growth.
Guiding Hearts Towards Lasting Change
In biblical counseling, understanding these four categories—situational, response, thought, and motive problems—provides a framework for truly helping others in their journey toward spiritual growth. Each of these areas sheds light on different facets of a person’s struggle, allowing the counselor to address not just the symptoms but the underlying heart issues that need transformation.
However, the ultimate goal is not simply to solve problems but to guide individuals into a deeper relationship with Christ. Through careful listening, wise discernment, and compassionate guidance, a biblical counselor becomes an instrument in the Redeemer’s hands, pointing others to the hope and healing that can only be found in the gospel. By doing so, we help them not only navigate their current struggles but also equip them to face future challenges with a heart that is more fully aligned with God’s purposes.