We’ve all felt like everything else falls apart. Home life gets tense, our prayers seem weak, and hope seems far away. Forgetting the cross can make everything crumble: our purpose, our relationships, and the peace we once found in tough times.
The hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” calls us to re-evaluate our priorities. It urges us to see worldly gains as nothing compared to our relationship with Christ. It’s a reminder of the faith anchor we need.
Colossians 2:14–15 tells us that the cross frees us from guilt and fear. It shows that what seemed like defeat is actually a victory. The seven sayings of Jesus from the cross connect Good Friday to Easter joy, offering us comfort when faith wavers.
If you’re struggling with faith or family issues, we’re here to help. At Impact Family Christian Counseling , we offer cross-centered counseling. We’ll support you with prayer, scripture, and practical steps towards healing. Let’s bring Christian hope back to life together.
Why the Cross Is Central to Christian Hope and Identity
We sing old hymns and read Isaiah, and the message is clear. The suffering of the Servant shows us love that saves. Paul uses vivid imagery in Colossians to show the cross’s true meaning. Exploring Colossians 2:15 reveals the cross as a victory, not just suffering. It’s like a Roman parade where evil is defeated, and Christ wins.
This victory is crucial for our faith. The cross canceled our debt, freeing us from guilt and shame. This freedom gives us bold access to God and the assurance of Christ’s love.
We teach that Isaiah 53 is not just prophecy but a source of comfort. Jesus took our sin, interceded, and finished redemption. This means we live by grace, not guilt.
When counseling, we remind each other of Christ’s finished work. Making the cross central to our identity changes how we confess, forgive, and restore. This reshapes families and churches.
How Forgetting the Cross Undermines Spiritual Foundations
We sing hymns that remind us of the cross to keep us humble. When we forget this, pride and wrong values creep in. This leads to a loss of spiritual strength and a move away from humility and gratitude.
Romans 3:21-26 teaches us about faith and God’s mercy through the cross. If we forget the cross, our understanding of salvation and grace gets mixed up. This confusion affects how we see ourselves and our relationship with God.
The seven sayings of Jesus from the cross show many aspects of his work. They talk about forgiveness, promise, care, and more. Forgetting these sayings can lead to two unhealthy extremes: triumphalism or despair. Both are seen in churches and counseling rooms.
In counseling, we see people struggling with pride or shame. Without understanding the cross, guilt and pride can’t be properly dealt with. Remembering Christ’s work helps restore healthy faith and practice.
Signs of shaky faith include legalism, constant striving, and either numbness or overconfidence. These signs show how forgetting the cross affects our lives. We help families find their way back to biblical teachings, bringing hope and grace into their daily lives.
When we remember the cross, Romans 3:21-26 becomes real to us. People feel lighter. Confession, forgiveness, and service become clearer. This renewal keeps our faith honest and life-giving.
Spiritual, Relational, and Emotional Consequences
When we stop focusing on the cross, we quickly face spiritual issues. People start trying to earn God’s favor by following rules instead of grace. Colossians 2:15 tells us Christ defeated the powers that bind us. But forgetting this truth lets fear grow, taking away our freedom in Christ.
Relational problems also arise when we ignore forgiveness. Jesus asked for forgiveness for those who crucified him, showing us the power of forgiveness. Without this, bitterness grows, causing trouble in marriages and families. Small issues can turn into big divisions.
Emotional pain is another consequence. Jesus felt abandoned on the cross, as Matthew 27:46 shows. Yet, his story ends in victory. Ignoring this can lead to two problems. Some stay stuck in grief and shame. Others pretend to be okay but hide their true pain.
In counseling, we often see these issues. Clients struggle with legalism, broken relationships, or emotional pain. We help them by guiding them back to the cross. Steps like confession, repentance, forgiveness, and assurance help them heal. These actions release shame, mend relationships, and bring back spiritual clarity.
- Re-center on Christ’s victory to reduce fear of powers and free conscience.
- Practice forgiveness modeled in Luke 23:34 to heal relational brokenness.
- Hold both Matthew 27:46 and the cross’s triumph together to process grief and avoid false victory.
We support you in these changes. By facing spiritual issues, fixing broken relationships, and dealing with emotional pain, we pave the way for lasting healing. This healing is rooted in the gospel.
How the Cross Shapes Christian Counseling Practices
We base our work on the cross. When things fall apart, we remind clients of Christ’s victory from Hebrews 2:14. This gives them hope to face fears, grief, and death.
Our Christian counseling combines prayer, hymns, and Scripture. Hymns like “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” help with both sorrow and joy. We use these rhythms and memories to create a safe space for healing.
We use simple, caring methods in our counseling. We help clients confess and find forgiveness, moving from shame to restored identity. We teach them about repentance and finding their identity in Christ, so healing is based on grace.
Revelation 12:10 guides us when dealing with accusations. When clients feel judged, we show them the truth and point to Christ. This brings relief and courage.
We follow Jesus’ example at the cross. Luke 23:34 and John 19:26–27 teach us to show mercy and care for our enemies. These teachings guide our compassionate approach in counseling.
Here are some key tools we use:
- Scripture-centered reflection and memory work.
- Guided confession and forgiveness practices for kinship restoration.
- Hymn-based lament to reframe loss into devotion.
- Identity teaching rooted in Hebrews 2:14 and Colossians 2:14–15.
We keep the cross at the center of our work. This focus helps families and individuals overcome fear and accusation, leading to lasting peace. Our approach is warm, practical, and centered on the gospel, offering assurance every step of the way.
Applying Colossians 2:15 and other verses when faith falters
When faith wavers, we meet people where they are. We remind them that Colossians 2:15 says their legal charge is canceled. This truth helps them see shame as a lie, not the end.
We suggest simple ways to apply Colossians 2:15 in everyday life. This includes memorizing scripture, making short declarations, and confronting specific accusations. These actions help them stand strong, as James 4:7 and Ephesians 6:13 advise.
Romans 8:37-39 is especially powerful for those who feel left behind. We read these verses with clients who fear losing God’s love. This reassurance eases their fears and builds trust.
We use Jesus’ seven sayings as anchors in counseling. Each saying guides a different approach: forgiveness invites confession, and so on. This helps clients find their footing.
Our practical exercises include meditating on Jesus’ sayings and journaling prayers inspired by His words. We provide prompts for confession and a daily reading of Romans 8:37-39.
- Memorize Colossians 2:15 and say it out loud when doubts arise.
- Read Romans 8:37-39 each morning to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.
- Practice a two-minute meditation on one of Jesus’ sayings before bed.
- Write a brief confession that echoes forgiveness from the cross, then share it in a safe setting.
Family routines can also benefit from these practices. We teach parents to read Romans 8:37-39 at meals and to model lament. We also encourage them to teach children simple phrases from Colossians 2:15 to combat fear.
Counseling that combines biblical truths, spiritual exercises, and empathy helps when faith falters. We guide people from feeling accused to feeling assured. From feeling alone to feeling part of a community. And from fear to unwavering trust in God’s love.
Historical and Liturgical Reminders That Keep the Cross Central
The church calendar guides us, keeping our lives centered on the cross. Holy Week gives us rhythm and shape. Good Friday makes us lament Christ’s suffering. Easter joy comes with the resurrection stories in Luke and John. These show how sorrow and victory can go together.
Hymns remind us of the cross, even when sermons forget. Classics like When I Survey the Wondrous Cross help us focus on Christ’s sacrifice. Singing these hymns strengthens our memory and devotion.
The Psalter Hymnal and similar collections are like communal theology in song. They help us understand our faith through music.
Reading the seven sayings of Christ gives us a new perspective on the cross. Families and churches find a steady anchor in these readings. They support counseling by balancing grief, repentance, and hope.
We suggest simple practices for homes. Read the passion stories during Holy Week. Sing When I Survey the Wondrous Cross together. Reflect on the seven sayings as a family.
These small actions make the cross a part of our daily lives. They connect Good Friday and Easter joy to our faith.
When worship, calendar, and hymns work together, they create shared memory. This memory supports pastoral care and builds resilience. Liturgy and cross-centered practices help us hold both sorrow and hope.