I find that some people can pray and trust God for a “physical healing” better than they can for an “emotional healing” for an emotional problem (as it is called by secular psychologists). BOTH types of “healing” require the spiritual power of Christ and we should have the faith in Him for both.
In fact, did you know that the Bible speaks to this phenomenon in Proverbs 18:14: “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” (KJV)
“Wounds” in the inner man (spirit) are hard to bear. Sadly, Christians are not often equipped to deal with conflicts, hurts, and wounds inflicted by others. These problems can be resolved biblically by obediently applying the principles of Scripture on forgiveness, repentance, and communication.
Hope comes in being able to resolve problems biblically which can only be done in and through Christ.
Coping is the best the world has to offer as worldly persons often encourage Christians to resolve conflicts by taking another brother in Christ to court which is clearly against I Cor. 6:1-8. The world tells people that they must always struggle with certain issues that God provides a solution for in Christ according to Ephesians 4 and 5.
Clearly, there is a big difference between a purely biblical approach and a worldly approach to dealing with the many problems of life! That’s why we do NOT have an integrated approach to biblical counseling. We believe the Scriptures are SUFFICIENT to deal with the problems of the soul (by the way, “psychology” means “study of the soul”).
Jesus promises in John 16:33: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – The Holy Bible : English Standard Version., Jn 16:33 (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001).
His way is much better than the world’s way!
-Mark (promoting Christ and His wisdom, not the world’s best ideas)