Jesus: Our Wonderful Counselor in Life’s Storms
In the turbulent seas of life, we often find ourselves searching for a guiding light. Like ancient sailors looking for a lighthouse to steer them safely through treacherous waters, we too need a beacon of hope in our darkest moments. This search for direction brings us to a profound truth found in Isaiah 9:6:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
These words, spoken centuries ago, still resonate deeply today. They point us to Jesus, not just as a historical figure, but as a living, active presence in our lives – our Wonderful Counselor.
Why do we need a Wonderful Counselor?
Life has a tendency to throw challenges our way that leave us feeling lost and overwhelmed. Whether it's navigating career decisions, wrestling with personal growth, or weathering the storms of relationship struggles, we all face moments where our own wisdom falls short.
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus isn't distant from our struggles: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." This means that when we turn to Jesus for counsel, we're not met with cold indifference, but with deep understanding and compassion.
Think of the woman at the well in John 4. She came burdened by her past and present circumstances, only to encounter Jesus who offered her not just sympathy, but life-transforming truth. This is the essence of what it means for Jesus to be our Wonderful Counselor – He meets us in our messy realities and offers divine wisdom that can change everything.
What makes Jesus' counsel wonderful?
Unlike human advice, which can be well-intentioned but flawed, Jesus' guidance comes from a place of perfect wisdom and love. Colossians 2:3 tells us that in Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." When we seek His counsel, we're tapping into an infinite source of divine insight.
Consider how often we've relied on our own understanding, only to find ourselves metaphorically "stuck in traffic" or completely lost. It's like ignoring a GPS because we think we know better, only to end up frustrated and further from our destination. Jesus, as our Wonderful Counselor, offers a better way.
Proverbs 3:5-6 provides a beautiful picture of what it means to rely on Jesus' counsel: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." This isn't about blind faith, but about recognizing that Jesus sees the bigger picture of our lives and knows the best path forward.
The healing touch of the Wonderful Counselor
One of the most comforting aspects of Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor is found in Matthew 11:28-30:
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Jesus doesn't just offer advice; He offers rest for our weary souls. His counsel isn't about adding to our burdens but about lightening them. When we feel overwhelmed by life's demands – especially during busy seasons like Christmas – Jesus invites us to realign our priorities and find peace in His presence.
This healing touch is beautifully illustrated in the story of Peter walking on water. As long as Peter kept his eyes fixed on Jesus, he could do the impossible. It was only when he became distracted by the wind and waves that he began to sink. Yet even then, Jesus reached out and lifted him up. This is the nature of our Wonderful Counselor – always ready to rescue us when we falter.
How should we respond to our Wonderful Counselor?
1. Trust Him Completely
Isaiah 26:3-4 promises, "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock." Trusting Jesus means surrendering our fears, doubts, and plans to Him. It's a daily choice to believe that He knows what's best, even when we don't understand.
Practical steps to build this trust include:
- Memorizing key scriptures like Psalm 16:11, Psalm 23, or Colossians 3:1-4
- Keeping a "trust journal" where you write down what you're trusting Jesus for
- Practicing "biblical waiting" – doing what you know is right while patiently waiting for clarity on uncertain matters
2. Follow His Commands
John 14:15 reminds us, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." Following Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor isn't just about listening to His advice; it's about putting it into practice. His commands aren't burdensome restrictions but loving guardrails designed to keep us on the path of peace and purpose.
3. Make Jesus Your Wonderful Savior
The ultimate response to Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor is to make Him our Savior. He's not just offering good advice; He's offering Himself. He came as a child, lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay for our sins, and rose again so we could have eternal life. All He asks is that we trust Him, surrender our lives to Him, and follow His guidance.
As Charles Spurgeon once said, "I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need." This encapsulates the heart of what it means to embrace Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor. We come to Him with our great needs, and we find that He is more than sufficient to meet them all.
In conclusion, life will always have its challenges. We'll face decisions that perplex us, burdens that weigh us down, and storms that threaten to overwhelm us. But we don't have to navigate these waters alone. Jesus, our Wonderful Counselor, stands ready to guide us, comfort us, and lead us into the light of His wisdom and love.
The invitation is open to all of us today. Will we trust Him completely? Will we follow His guidance? Will we let Him be not just our Counselor, but our Savior? As we do, we'll discover that in His presence, there is indeed perfect peace, unshakeable hope, and a light that no darkness can overcome.