I want to get professional counseling, but I’m scared of what people will think of me. I want to get counseling, but it’s just too expensive. I want to get counseling, but I don’t know how to find a good counselor. I want to get counseling, but I’ve always dealt with these issues, and I just don’t see that changing. I want to get counseling, but things really aren’t that bad.

Odds are good that you’ve either had one of these thoughts yourself or heard someone else express them. And the reality is, these often aren’t just excuses but legitimate concerns. Counseling does have a stigma attached to it and your family and friends may or may not be supportive. Good counselors are usually not cheap. And not all counselors are good counselors. But, more often than not, when we let our fears prevent us from reaching out for help, we remain stuck in the same patterns and our problems just seem to get worse instead of better.

Where Counseling can fit in

While Jesus is absolutely the key player in your ability to find freedom and transformation in your life, professional counseling is also vital. Professional counseling brings accountability into your healing journey and encourages you to build community. It is through accountability and community that we find healing, not isolation.

Professional counselors can also point out thought patterns and help make connections that we don’t always notice ourselves. They are able to provide us with new insights and ways of thinking that align with biblical truth, and they can then help guide us to make positive, healthy changes in our lives. And even small changes can significantly shift our day-to-day functioning.

More Freedom

No matter how healthy and functional you are, there is always room for growth—always room for more freedom. Professional counseling can help you find greater levels of healing and freedom, no matter how minor or insignificant you feel your current problems may be. And it is always better to reach out for help before the minor issues become major.

But no matter where you are on your healing journey, there is always hope. Maybe you do have a significant struggle. Maybe it is an issue you’ve dealt with for your whole life. But the odds are low that when you have a good counselor, you will walk out of counseling the same as you walked in. There is always hope for you in Christ.

Impacting the Future

Taking the step to get help through professional counseling can be a scary and challenging step, and it is so easy to find reasons and excuses to avoid taking this step, but it is a step that can have immeasurable impact on the trajectory of your future. And the ultimate question is: is it worth the cost NOT to get professional counseling?

Mercy Multiplied exists to provide opportunities for all to experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power.  We offer multiple programs and resources online and onsite designed to equip people to live free and stay free in Christ. For more information about the services we offer, click here.  

Want more resources? Check out our MercyTalk podcast episode, “Why We Avoid Getting Help”.  For daily inspiration, follow us @MercyMultiplied on Facebook, Instagram, and X!