4-MAT Book Review
Jayne Kelley
Liberty University In his book Dr. Wright begins by reciting a personal dilemma from the time when he was a youth pastor at his church. Throughout the book, he uses a Christian perspective on counseling reciting scenarios from his life to demonstrate the different concepts of counseling. Dr. Wright uses these situations. To teach the proper responses, to different crisis situations. When reading these situations, he wants us to “consider two important questions: How would you feel? What would you do or say?” (Wright, 2011, p.10). Wright describes how Jesus was an exemplary model of being compassionate, acceptant of others, giving people worth, meeting their needs, using the right word, emphasizing the right behavior, teaching others how to accept responsibility by providing hope, encouraging people, and emphasizing peace of mind (Wright, 2011, p. 17-21). Using scripture Wright guides us towards the biblical response to crisis situations. He teaches us that listening is an important part of counseling paying attention to not only what is being said, but also to how it is being said. Listening to the tone of voice as well as watching body language to interrupt the message you are receiving. He emphasizes speaking at the right time and knowing when to keep quiet. It is important to consider your responses, instead of making a hasty statement is not knowing how it will affect the other person. Thinking through your responses prevents you from giving “an off-the-cuff, superficial answer that doesn’t meet the counselee’s need and doesn’t deal with the problem” (Wright, 2011, p. 35). He states that it’s important to give advice sparingly, and to not directly tell another individual what to do because this is assuming responsibility for the solution. The author encourages us to counsel with love, caring, and reassurance. This book