Why Biblical Counseling?
By: Kyle Howard, 05/25/26
By: Kyle Howard, 05/25/26
Why Biblical Counseling
If I were to say that life can be a little heavy or difficult at times, would there be anyone who would argue with that? A common saying tells us that we are either in a storm, just coming out of one, or heading into one. While this can be a little vague, the principle remains. These storms can bring a range of problems and emotions. Anxiety, depression, fear, marital issues, grief, addiction, anger, parenting difficulties, loneliness, guilt, and broken relationships are not rare problems, even in the church. These are all common human problems.
So the question that we must consider is not if people need help. The question we need to ask is: Where should we turn for the help we need?
In Biblical Counseling, we believe that God has not left His people without guidance, wisdom, hope, and the answers they are seeking. We agree with Paul in Second Timothy that Scripture is not only sufficient to tell us how to be saved, but also sufficient to teach us how to live, suffer, grow, repent, forgive, endure, and walk faithfully through this world, and then we may be complete and equipped for every good work. This is the heart of Biblical Counseling.
What is Biblical Counseling?
Biblical Counseling is the ministry of bringing God’s people to meet people in the midst of the real struggles they are facing in life.
Biblical Counseling is not simply giving someone advice. It is not just telling someone to take these two verses and call me in the morning. And it is in no way pretending that suffering and emotional pain are simple verses. Biblical Counselors seek to lovingly and carefully understand what a person is struggling with and to help them see life and their struggles through the truth of God’s word.
Biblical Counseling starts with the understanding that all people are created by God, that we are all image bearers of Him, and that He created us to live in relationship with Him. Unfortunately, though, because of our sin, our hearts, desires, thinking, and
relationships have all been affected. But, through Jesus Christ, there is real hope for change, healing, growth, and perseverance.
The goal of Biblical Counseling is not merely behavior modification. The goal of Biblical Counseling is always heart transformation that glorifies God.
Jay Adams, who was a pioneer in Biblical Counseling in the 1970’s, famously emphasized that Biblical Counseling is about lovingly helping people make the changes that God Himself calls them to make (Phil 2:13). David Powlison, another leading voice, often wrote that Biblical Counseling is a deeply personal ministry, where the Counselor enters into someone’s suffering with truth, compassion, patience, and hope.
Why Choose Biblical Counseling
Today, we are bombarded with countless voices, all offering answers for the human condition. Podcasts, social media, self-help books, motivational speakers, influencers, therapy, modern psychology, apps, and even, amazingly enough, AI, are all offering different explanations for what is wrong with us and different solutions for healing.
Because of common grace (Matt 5:45), some of these sources may actually offer observations or practical insights that can be helpful. But ultimately, Biblical Counselors believe that the deepest issues of the human heart can be fully understood only through God’s truth revealed in Scripture.
If our greatest problem is ultimately our spiritual separation from God, then our greatest need is not merely coping mechanisms or cognitive-behavioral therapy, but reconciliation, sanctification, wisdom, and Christ-centered hope.
Biblical Counseling recognizes that suffering is real, that emotions matter, and that life can be deeply overwhelming. But we also believe that God’s word speaks meaningfully and sufficiently into those struggles.
The Word of God addresses fear, anxiety, worry, anger, despair, bitterness, shame, conflict, temptation, grief, identity, purpose, and hope, not superficially, but deeply.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for
correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, and
equipped for every good work.
Our desire at Anchored Faith Biblical Counseling is to walk alongside individuals, couples, and families with compassion, truth, and Christ-centered hope. No matter what struggle you are facing, you do not have to walk through it alone.