P Ov&l*"
Dr. Clyde M. Narromore, graduate of Columbia • University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in America.
Clyde M. Narromore, Ed.D.
to man all of the natural resources and all of the intelligence necessary to carry on the work of the world. He expects us to establish govern ments, build bridges, cook our food, engage in various, professions and do many other thingk that make up liv ing. And so there is a place for pro fessional consultants—marriage coun selors who can minister to special ized needs. In seeking such help we do not minimize the power of God, nor do we reveal a lack of faith. Many times God answers our prayers in miraculous ways. At other times He uses specially trained people to meet our needs. I have known fine, consecrated Christians, who because of various reasons had unhappy marriages. But after seeking professional counsel, they were exceedingly happy, and able to serve the Lord in much bet ter ways. Of course it is best to go to a Christian counselor, especially if your problem centers in your re lationship to God. However, I real ize that it is almost impossible to find one who has real spiritual depth and who has had excellent professional training in psychology. Since you are both mature, Bible-believing Chris tians, and since you are trusting in God to meet your need, you should not hesitate to seek help. Your prob lem may have very few spiritual as pects. Naturally, some ministers and some medical doctors have real ability in marriage counseling, how ever they may not have the special ized training to help in your particu lar case. In summary may I say that I wish more Christians were sufficiently con cerned about their unhappy mar riages to seek help. Too, I wish that we could encourage more brilliant, consecrated young people to enter the field of psychology, specializing in marriage counseling. The need is so great, the opportunities are many, and it is a godly calling. Readers are invited to submit questions which will be answered in future issues. Address questions to Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, King's Business, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California.— ED.
terest in spiritual matters was an effort to conceal her shortcomings and insecurity. She was hiding be hind the skirt of “ piety” and was not learning to face and enjoy life as God intended her to do. People like this college girl need understanding and encouragement. They seldom de velop into wholesome, consecrated Christians unless they learn to face life. When we hear people talking about too much religion, we should careful ly consider whether or not they are born again. There can never be too much of Christ for any of us! M a rria g e Counselor Q. Is it ever advisable for Christian people to consult a marriage coun selor? M y husband and I are both Christians. W e believe God is able to help us solve our problems, and we have been praying about the diffi culties in our marriage. W e really need help. Would this show a lack of faith and dependence upon God, or is it a reasonable thing to seek pro fessional help just as we would in matters of physical health? A. I certainly do believe that it is advisable for some Christian couples to consult a marriage counselor. Mar riage is just as complex as it is won derful, and it requires much wisdom. It involves spiritual, emotional, phy sical, social, intellectual, vocational, psychological and other aspects. Most Christians would not hesitate to consult a dentist regarding their teeth, nor would they hesitate to see a medical doctor about a physical ailment. And yet when concerned about the very important relationship —marriage, they are apt to overlook professional help. You say that you believe God is able to help you solve your problems. Of course God is! No doubt He has already helped you many times. But God does not always promise to do for us what we can, and should do for ourselves. The Bible gives us an outline for living, but it doesn’t fill in all of the details. It does not provide minute instructions for every event and for every hour of the day. God has given
T oo Mitel i Relig ion Q. Some people say that the reason they do not attend church is because they had too much religion when they were young. Is it possible to have too much religion? A . There may be such a thing as too much religion, but there can never be too much salvation! People offering excuses of too much religion may be rebellious Christians or they may never have truly experienced salvation by accepting Christ as their personal Saviour. In the case of rebellious Christians, the only remedy is for them to con fess their sins and reconsecrate their lives to God. When this takes place they will not feel that they have too much religion. On the other hand, the unsaved person who claims he has had too much religion may be mistaking re ligion for salvation. Furthermore, he may have had unwise parents or teachers. Although Christian parents should be eager for their children to live the Christian life, they must real ize that enforcing a lot of do’s and don’ts on the Christian level, before their children are saved, is putting the cart before the horse. They are trying to make them live as though they had a new nature, w h en . in reality they have their old nature. Wise parents will realize that sal vation precedes Christian growth and Christian standards. There are some who use too much religion as an excuse because they are under conviction. Actually they have heard the Gospel but are un willing to surrender. There is another way in which a person may have too much religion. A Christian can use religion as a means of escaping from the realities of life. I once counseled with a girl who had attended a Christian col lege. While in school she spent most of her time in spiritual activities. She took no interest in sports or hobbies because she didn’t know what to do or what to say. She was afraid she would be embarrassed. She never seemed to have time to make friends or to enter into social activities. In this case, her intense, exclusive in
25
F E B R U A R Y , 1 9 5 5
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs