Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel

Scripture encourages us to seek out advice from others and nearly all the characters in my books do at one time or another. These mentors often prove difficult to write because I have to figure out the answer to the questions they get asked. I also want to construct my mentors so they’re credible. Whether in real life or in fiction, here are four things I look for in a counselor.

1. Godliness – Unless the person has a deep, committed walk with Christ, the advice he or she gives will be tainted no matter how sincere or well-meaning, or how long you’ve known them.

2. Maturity – I want spiritual maturity, a tested faith. I also want someone with some life experience behind them. That doesn’t mean our life experiences have to mirror each other, but I want to know the person has weathered some storms.

3. Compassion – A good counselor hurts with you, and sometimes he or she will hurt for you. They share your heart.

4. Humility – None of us knows everything, and a good counselor can say “I don’t know.” Rely on someone who will help you seek God’s face when those answers just aren’t there.

[We are travelling to a faraway land with no internet service - our house in Ohio- so here's a post I wrote a while back but never published. I'll be back Tuesday with a fresh study tip.]

When I read passages like Psalm 78, it is easy to berate Israel for their faithlessness to God after all He had done for them. However, if I’m honest it would be fairly easy to write a psalm like this of my own life. God has done great things, intervened on my behalf, providentially cared for me, and yet I’ve rebelled, been faithless, certainly provoked Him.

Thank God He remembers my frailty.

I, like Israel:

But He is patient and gracious and receives me after I’ve learned these lessons… again.