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COUNSELING BROKEN YET BOLD WOMEN (Journal Article Review)

A JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW

BY MISTY REYNOLDS


“COUNSELING BROKEN YET BOLD WOMEN”

BY RACHEL ROSSER

 

In the age of the #MeToo and #ChurchToo movement there seems to be a greater need for counseling, coaching, mentoring and ministry for women in the church. Rachel Rosser (LPC-S), carefully blends theology and grounded psychology in this article entitled: Counseling Broken Yet Bold Women. Rachel has many years of experience in ministry, along with her husband Doug, at The Parks Church in McKinney, TX. One reason why I have been drawn toward her work is because she seeks to connect with individuals through their pain in an effort to reveal the “hope we have in our Lord that is found” in the Scriptures.

 

Initial Thoughts

The article specifically focuses on the way women respond to abuse. The author discusses the AIDS pandemic in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Many women in that part of the world feel they must engage in prostitution to provide for their families. Where there is poverty and abuse you will find women who desperately need hope. Sadly, many young women are groomed for a life of harlotry at a young age. Their mothers often chose this abusive profession.


Some might call the prostitution in Kenya as a “generational” crisis. Nevertheless, it is an ongoing problem that must be confronted. This also allows us to pause and see why women often find themselves to be the victims of abuse. The old saying “It is a man’s world” is not without merit. Catherine Anne Porter is quoted as saying “It’s a man’s world and you can have it.” Certainly men must take note of the abuses to women, the pandemic of sex trafficking, and the continued rise in sexual harassment.


One man did take notice of these issues and that man is Jesus Christ. Rosser notes that the interaction with Jesus and the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50 offers the perfect backdrop for discussing both the theology and psychology of this modern day issue. We are introduced to a broken woman and a compassionate rabbi. Hope will arise.

 

A Bold & Courageous Woman

​Jesus accepted an invitation from Simon for dinner at his home. Simon was a Pharisee. It is evident from the text that there were other people, notably other Pharisees, that were present who identified a “notorious, sinful woman” entering the room. It is believed that she was a prostitute. However, the reader must be impressed with her boldness and courage to find Jesus. At the expense of jeers and ridicule she sought Him.  There is little doubt that she would have been overwhelmed with fear but her love for the Lord trumped any of those feelings.

​Rosser asks, “Was she reminding herself of the stories that she had heard of Jesus and his grace? Did she wonder how Simon or the others might respond to her?” One can only assume that much was on her mind, but only one thing was on her heart, Jesus.

 

Heart Tears & Uncomfortable Emotions

​The text reveals the emotions of the sinful woman. Rosser notes: “She honors Christ with her tears. The closest she could get to Jesus was His feet.” So, what does she do? She uses her own tears and hair to wash His feet. She references Martin Luther who apparently called these “heart tears.” The Talmud allegedly had a rule about such behavior and viewed it as immodest and inappropriate. Yet this woman will not relent from washing Him and kissing Him.

​The woman in the story of Luke 7 could represent any woman who seeks forgiveness and/or acceptance. Rosserencourages us to see it from the perspective of the woman.However she also turns our attention to the room. What kind of a woman is this at Simon’s house? What would the Pharisees be thinking? It is important for us to treat our clients and/orcounselees with compassion. She encourages us to consider “love, repentance, and devotion” that can be seen in the tears of a broken woman.

 

What Do You See?

​Jesus reassures the woman and stands up for her in the presence of her critics. He assures her that her faith has saved her and then He sends her to continue her mission. This woman may have arrived in pain and sorrow, but she leaves with a new calling to share her story of forgiveness. We have a challenge to go and make disciples. That is extremely difficult when we have a mindset like Simon or the Pharisees. If we want to be like Jesus we have to see both the strengths and the weaknesses of the counselee.

​Rosser does a wonderful job of encouraging counselors to look deeper. Christian counselors have a responsibility to lift up the soul of the broken. The challenge of this article is to view women for their strengths and to be careful with offering harsh criticism. We do not know the entire story. Every person we see deserves our open mind and open heart. This woman, who had sinned so greatly, was now forgiven because of her faith. We need to see her as not just an emotional woman, but one who was bold and courageous.

​

 

WORKS CITED

 

The Bible. New King James Version, Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982.

 

 

 

Rosser, Rachel. Biblical Counseling Coalition, Counseling Broken Yet Bold Women

 

 

 

 

 

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