Jump directly to the Content
Jump directly to the Content

Sermon Illustrations

Home > Sermon Illustrations

Psychiatrist Says People Don’t Need Information but Transformation

The renowned child psychiatrist Robert Coles told this story in a graduate class at Harvard University many years ago: “A highly regarded psychiatrist recently told me in despair: ‘I have been doing therapy with a man for 15 years. He is as angry, as self-centered, and as mean as he was the first day he walked into my office. The only difference is that now he knows why he is so angry and mean.’”

Dr. Coles pointed out that although the psychiatrist provided his client with insight as to how his childhood emotional wounding had affected his adult dysfunction, the man still hadn't changed. Coles asked, "Could we conclude that what this man needed wasn’t just information but transformation? But is transformation possible for human beings?”

Related Sermon Illustrations

The Story of St. Patrick's Cathedral Renovation

Some projects are worth some extra time and attention. Take, for instance, the recent renovation of the famous St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. Here's how a report in New ...

[Read More]

London Structure Burned to Commemorate Anniversary of Devastating Fire

London witnessed a spectacular scene recently when a giant wooden replica of the city ignited and burned brilliantly to the ground. The conflagration was planned, however, in honor ...

[Read More]