Christian Counseling Program: Christian Counseling and the Little Things
Great men become great because of even greater trials. Yet, for most of us, great trials or moments that define history rarely occur. Tales of martyrdom rarely accompany our death. Instead we are called to live a life of Christian excellence. Christian Counselors can guide many people to extraordinary lives of sanctity simply through the “little things”. If you would like to help guide others, consider our Christian Counseling Program
The idea of sainthood or a virtuous Christian life was not considered during the age of persecution in the early Church. Most saints were people who heroically died a martyr’s death. This is not to say they did not excel in virtue but the primary focus of the early Church and sainthood usually included a martyr’s end. After the legalization of Christianity, saint like individuals ceased to be killed but died naturally. This led the Church to a new examination of people’s lives that exceeded merely martyrdom but also spirituality.
Many great saints sought the honor of martyrdom. St. Teresa of Avila as a young child ran away from home to face the Moors in Spain, but was properly reprimanded for such a rash decision. Instead her life was to be a spiritual one that excelled in pious virtue. This is the type of life that God calls to many Christians. This is the life that God wills for many of us. He does not call or expect all to become famous figures in the Christian circle or suffer a heroic death but to simply testify and live according to his laws. Those who conform their will to God’s will and live according to his precepts live a sanctified life simply by fulfilling one’s daily duty. One’s daily duty may be as simple as cleaning one’s house, earning a wage for one’s family or helping others in need. When one fulfills their daily duty and conforms one’s will to God, then their life becomes as extraordinary as the saints. In fact, that is how one becomes a saint! One can only wonder until they reach heaven, how many great saints exist that were never known but were kept beautiful secrets from the public eye. These unknown saints are spiritual treasures to the Church that intercede for us on earth everyday. These unknown saints understood the beauty of offering their will to God in the most smallest of tasks as each day unveiled itself.
So What Can You Do?
St. Teresa the Little Flower, not to be confused with St. Teresa of Avila, conformed her will to the Lord in every smallest action. Her simple life rejoiced in the Lord in the smallest things, from sweeping the floor of the convent to facing her fear of spiders. Every single thing she did, she offered it to the Lord. Through this simple life, she would later be revered as one of the Church’s most known daughters and elevated to sainthood. So what can you do? You can start by emulating St. Teresa. One can make everyday chores a prayer to God. One can bite their tongue in humility when something angers oneself or offer up a fear or pain to God when it would be easier to complain.
I often joke that if St. Teresa had a computer or had to drive in traffic, she would not be a saint, but the reality is the frustrations of computer trouble or the annoying driver ahead are all excellent opportunities to perfect Christian virtue. I am far from being the one to preach this but I hope to illuminate myself and you as well in these little things! Yet the point is simple: Work with what you have and offer it to God on a daily basis. One day at a time, take the little things the Lord gives to you and turn them into prayers and opportunities to please God.
While it is hard to bless instead of to curse, or to clean something with a smile instead of a frown, or to be patient instead of in a hurry, we can all accomplish these goals with the grace of God. The trick is being open to that grace and aware of the opportunities that God gives to us. So while martyrdom may not be in our future, we can become a martyr for Christ by offering our will to him and becoming sanctified by the little things he gives us everyday
If you are interested in the Christian Counseling Program, please review it. The Christian Counseling Program is open to qualified professionals. Qualified professionals must complete the Christian Counseling courses that make up the core element of the program. After completing the courses, one can become certified in the Christian Counseling Program.
Mark Moran, MA
