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it is costly. Perhaps this is where missional discernment and voli�onal and therapy. eJournal Chris�an
strength converge to form moral agency. Psychology Around The World
Locke, D. (1979). Cogni�ve Sta-
Therefore, voli�on and flourishing must be seen as developmental, not sta-
ges or Developmental Phases?
�c. The will grows through stages, whether through hardship, failure, sup- A Cri�que of Kohlberg's Stage-
port, or grace. It is a muscle trained over �me, and a missio Dei framework Structural Theory of Moral Rea-
honors this journey by offering a redemp�ve arc rather than a prescrip�ve soning. Journal of Moral Educa-
�on, 8(3), 168-181.
checklist. As proposed in earlier pages, missional therapy invites individuals
Long, K. N. G., Nakamura, J. S.,
to have voli�onal mo�va�on that is not forged in ease but in the crucible of
Long, P. M., Gregg, R. J., Abra-
missional purpose. In this sense, will becomes both the pathway to missio- ham, F., C∑ounted, V., Johnson,
nal flourishing and the fruit of a flourishing abundant life. B. R., & VanderWeele, T. J.
Conclusion (2025). Flourishing communi-
�es: The role of faith communi-
In conclusion, the exercise of will is a central driver of human flourishing. It
�es in the promo�on of flouris-
empowers individuals to pursue meaningful goals, adapt to adversity, regu- hing and the common good.
late emo�ons, act with moral integrity, and align their lives with transcen- Journal of Psychology and
dent purposes. Kroll’s framework, though it can be enriched by addi�onal Chris�anity 41(1), 84-107
theore�cal and empirical insights, rightly places voli�on at the heart of both Pargament, K. I. (2013). Spiritu-
ality as an irreducible human
psychological health and spiritual maturity. Therefore, Chris�an flourishing
mo�va�on and process. Inter-
is not the absence of struggle but the presence of willful, purposeful enga- na�onal Journal for the Psycho-
gement with life under God. Through the framework of missional therapy, logy of Religion, 23(4), 271-281.
the will is dignified, restored, and aligned with God’s missional mandate. It Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000).
becomes a way of par�cipa�ng in God’s healing mission in the world by star- Self-determina�on theory and
the facilita�on of intrinsic mo�-
�ng with one’s own story, one person at a �me.
va�on, social development, and
well-being. American Psycholo-
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Stagner, R. (1961). Homeosta-
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VanderWeele, T. J. (2017). On
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