Hearing the lifeguard cough and choke brings little comfort to a drowning man.  In many quarters today the emphasis is on identifying with the friend in need — to sit where they sit.  Weaknesses are bared and shared — often with little profit, or even with harm resulting. Honesty is laudable, but what is most needed today is the ability to speak words that reach the troubled heart and fit the empty socket — words from God.

Despite these currents of open-ended, frank sharing there is a large, unstirred sea of believers who remain mute in the presence of those needing their words of warning or encouragement. These Christians are virtual deadends for much of the truth received over the years.  Under stress they might speak out and hurt, but so often they fail to reach out and heal.

I suppose every parent has experienced an awkward numbness in attempting to deal with a child in a time of crisis. Not only is it difficult to know what to say, but it is even more difficult to know how to say it.

Husbands and wives also might know an easing of tensions if only they had some skill in individual edification — that everyday type of counseling.  Words need not be destructive. They can be very constructive.

The same is true in our churches. When members of a local assembly begin to edify and counsel one another effectively, new things take place.  How different are these results from what is usually obtained through a group, or congregational, approach.

This more personal, intensive sharing of life can be wonderful in its effects.

Scripture provides for both public and private ministries.  Each is needed. This book deals with personal edification as an individual, private ministry. Building up another individual is a basic expression of one’s own spiritual life.

In relating what I have personally learned in experience and practiced in my own service for Christ, I must make a confession. Much that is within these pages came very slowly and painfully to me over a period of years. However, I know there is a “law of the harvest” that indicates that time required for learning lessons can be shortened when “the righteous is a guide to his neighbor” (Prov. 12:26 NASB).

May God multiply his harvest by blessing this volume of personal counsel.

(Taken from my book, “People Helping People — How Every Christian Can Counsel,” available for order here.)