Not sick, just discouraged
I’ve been studying for my final (which I take tonight) and stumbled across some more good thoughts from Alfred Adler. He seemed to think that Freud’s view that people were sick (neurotic, disturbed) was incorrect. Adler believed that people were merely discouraged and needed encouragement. He said that encouragement was the most powerful method available for changing a person’s beliefs, that it helped them build self-confidence and stimulated courage. He defined courage as "the willingness to move forward even when fearful."
Well, that’s what I’m doing. I’m moving forward with getting my degree at Denver Seminary, knowing that one day I will leave this secure job of mine, and try doing something completely different – counseling. Lord, favor the foolish!
By the way, be sure to read Jen and my wife today – excellent stuff!
Well, that’s what I’m doing. I’m moving forward with getting my degree at Denver Seminary, knowing that one day I will leave this secure job of mine, and try doing something completely different – counseling. Lord, favor the foolish!
By the way, be sure to read Jen and my wife today – excellent stuff!
posted by Ted at 3:46 PM
4 Comments:
I like Adler. I felt his concepts were pretty sane (so to speak) and more uplifting. I need to go back and review everything about him, but your post reminded me how much I did like him.
Greg
I'll try to hold that quote in my heart--it's a good one, and, as I'm finding out, so true for me every day now.
It gives me courage to know that there are others who are also being courageous. I know God will move through you in incredible ways as a counselor.
Dawn
Interesting thought for sure. It indeed seems a lot of what ails me some days is a lack of encouragement. However there is tension regarding giving encouragement-as-counsel to those in need of correction. A call to repentance is one thing, but even in softer ways like when Jesus told the rich young guy to sell everything and THEN come follow him. Encouragement wasn't exactly the method there. But I think in a context of Life Together, the boost we most often need is surely affirmation and validation that our obedience to God and desire to follow Him is actually worthwhile. I know I need this support from my co-laborers too.
Just found your blog, by the way. Keep it up! Good stuff.
Chris (Boulder, CO)
Hi Chris!
Thanks for your encouragement! ;)
I think Adler would agree with you about the need for correction, but would present it to a client in a positive way. In other words, he would look for the client's basic mistakes and private logic, and then encourage (work with) the client to find more helpful thinking, methods, and goals for their life.
Part of his approach would be to do an inventory of the client's family (a process he called family constellations work) and explore early childhood memories to see where the person felt inferior, and what fictional goals they set to feel superior.
It's all good stuff.
Thanks for commenting,
Ted
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