The gospel in counseling and our sanctification

I am thoroughly enjoying Elyse Fitzpatrick's book, Counsel from the Cross. Here are some quotes from chapters on counseling and our sanctification. 

So gospel-centered counseling is counseling based on Scripture that defines us as God does and then applies both gospel declarations and gospel obligations to every problem we encounter.

When we use the word gospel, indicatives, and declarations, we are referring to those portions of Scripture that tell us what Christ has already done...when we use the terms law, imperatives, and obligations, we are referring to those verses that tell us what our response to this good news should be.

We not only cease the evil activity; we also replace it with obedience instead.

the obligations of the gospel become a burdensome duty simply because we don't spend enough time remembering what Jesus has already done for us.

If the message of the gospel does not inform every thought, word, and deed, our striving to put off and put on will disintegrate into another way to gain approval of others, ourselves, and even the Lord.

sanctification is anchored in our union with Christ.

Only the extravagant love shown us in the gospel has the power to draw us away from other loves.

Sanctification is never advanced by self-focused grief or guilt. It is energized by joy and driven by love.

When we face the uphill battle to grow in our sanctification, we must remember that we are sinful and flawed, but we are loved and welcomed.

What is the faith that we need to hang on to as we seek to grow in godliness? That Jesus Christ has fulfilled every point of the law, that he also suffered torment as a lawbreaker on Calvary, that his Father poured out every drop of his righteous wrath on him, and that the resurrection declares the Father's approval of Christ's complete righteousness--divine approval in which we now share by the gift of his grace. We must believe that God is perfectly satisfied in Christ's sacrifice for us, that we have obtained full adoption, and that God is pleased with us and call us his "beloved." These truths stimulate joy and expand our faith. 

When the law is kept where it belongs--as a means to draw us to Christ and to show us how to love--it is delightful and causes us to rejoice...The law is a light on our path, but it is not the path, and it cannot impel us toward holiness nor make us love God.

Sadness won't impel obedience; only love and joy can do that.