When asked what books a Christian should read other than Scripture, number one is always “When People are big, and God is Small”

Number two is always “Instruments in the Redeemers Hands”

Paul Tripp is one of my favorite authors because he is real. This means he is open and honest about his failures, and challenges in life. That practical writing is prominently displayed in this book on counseling.

There are many lessons to take away from “Instruments in the Redeemers Hands”

But the most important is “it’s not your job to change them.”

Tripp does an excellent job of showing many of us look at counseling wrong. It is seen as swooping in, fixing the persons problem, and then rushing away.

Number one this isn’t Biblical

Number two this doesn’t even work!

instead Paul Tripp explains counseling as listening (and understanding) the person’s issues. Then humbly applying themes of Scripture to the issue.

So instead of trying to do “Fix the problem” we point them back to Christ!

This book also is a wonderful reminder most people don’t want to be “fixed” in the first place! They just want someone to hear, and understand.

There are countless broken souls in the world today who don’t need to hear another person telling them what they need to do.

They need someone who will weep with them, and explain God’s Truth.