I would like to welcome you to For God, Fore His Glory, and invite you to join me on the road to Emmaus. Of course, this is a spiritual journey but one uniquely designed with you in mind. It doesn’t matter what road you are walking, the Lord will accompany you. Information has been made available for you to read and determine what is of interest and applies to you. This information is not meant to overwhelm you; quite the opposite, it is meant to enlighten and empower as it has done for me.
My purpose for sharing has a threefold intent: (1) That God’s love would radically impact lives, (2) That eyes and ears, hearts and hands would open so ALL that God desires to personally bestow would be received, and (3) That knowing God and His Word and His loving-kindness would result in negativity just naturally losing ground/control in our lives because strongholds would be broken by the resurrection power of the Spirit of the Lord.
It makes no difference who you are, what your personal beliefs or where you call home we are all functioning in some fashion in the error deception causes. And of course, if we knew we’ve been deceived then it wouldn’t be deception. With this in mind, there is no way we could possess the “IN-TO-ME-SEE” knowledge that only the Spirit of Truth can reveal about ourselves and God and our human condition. There are so many things to learn like feelings and beliefs are not facts. Please don’t let offense sway you, for what is generated by offense: Discomfort, upset, anger, insult, sin, shame, disapproval…rises from deep within us and works against us.
My heart’s desire is to share knowledge of God and His Word, Christ Jesus, so you too can find rest for your soul. Our thoughts, feelings, attitudes, behaviors and beliefs have been affected by negativity – Fear, pride, anger, rejection, rebellion, bitterness…the list is long and can prove debilitating.
__
Revelation 12:11 says, “We overcome the forces of evil by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.” Now a testimony can offer encouragement and hope, but it cannot provide what’s absolutely essential a profound personal impact. Nor can a personal impact bring about lasting change, for that can only be accredited to a miraculous metamorphosis: Spiritual Transformation. For the Lord has surely said:
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.”
Zechariah 4:7
If anger, fear, unforgiveness, resentment…are present, then true compassion, kindness, respect…for self and others will in some measure be lacking. This life-changing transformation is not about plastic surgery or weight loss. Outward appearance is what people look at, but God sees the appearance of our heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
We possess a very special knack for making what is wrong seem right. Not before, not during but afterwards, when the heat of onus (reproach, admonishment) occurs, the heart responds though the flushing of shame and guilt and embarrassment may not. How the heart manipulates thought and feeling to do what it desires. But, what can’t be manipulated; instead, only obscured by denying, rationalizing, justifying, comparisons…the crimson stains sin places on our soul.
A life-changing transformation is accomplished when God and His Word and Holy Spirit recreate (restore, renew, revive) our spiritual being! Their work won’t be seen or felt it will become evident when we’re thinking, behaving, believing somewhat differently.
FINE – Favorable, Illuminating, Noteworthy, Effectual
Adjustments are made, for God imparts spiritual gifts – Faith, truth, wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, healing, counsel, fear of the Lord, joy, peace, discernment of spirits….Gifts that change us from the inside out so we can: Arise and shine when heaven’s Light comes and the glory of the Lord rises upon us (Isaiah 60:1).
~
How can what injures so personally be overcome if a different perspective cannot be viewed? Paul explains this better than I can: I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. I have discovered this principle of life – That when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong (Romans 7:15,19,21). Now there are so many who have been abused unjustly, and I’m sorry. You did nothing to do deserve such mistreatment.
But, there are answers. There is hope. What has holistic harmful effects – Anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, hatred…from the bondage of such powerful forces we can be released. Psalm146:3-5 says: Blessed are those who seek God’s help, whose hope and trust is in the Lord their God. Why? No mortal man can save, when their spirit departs, they return to the ground. On that very day their plans come to nothing. But a child of God will overcome them, because the One Who is in them, Holy Spirit, is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
~
God’s plan, His purpose spans throughout time and eternity! There is much to discuss with this being the motivator – Knowledge is power. A power we need because there is much that comes against us. And though you may not be very familiar with the Lord, Jesus Christ, God’s Word will strengthen you (Isa.iah45:5-7). So you too can hear Him say, “Friend, move up to a better place,” (Luke 14:10). So you too can be among those who come to know Him with a deep, instinctive, personal affection as for a close friend (John 21:17 Amp).
Truly, we could all use such a Friend who is faithful, and works to strengthen and protect us not only from the evil one so we won’t be outwitted, but also as I have learned despite ourselves, for we’re unaware of the devil’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). Jesus is a friend we can have confidence in. Acts 10:38 tells us Jesus of Nazareth went around doing good and healing ALL who were under the power of the devil because God was with Him. God anointed Jesus with the power of Holy Spirit. He offered the kindness of a friend to everyone.
God has given us His Word, and Jesus has revealed His Father’s great compassion for mankind. The problem, which is made quite apparent just by turning on the news, knowledge of Gods’ loving-kindness may be lacking for all sorts of reasons: but, what’s absent is personal experience, and this is what this journey offers.
How can we come to know the One Who directs our heart into God’s love and His perseverance (2 Thessalonians 3:3)? How would we come to believe it is the hand of God that sustains us (Psalm 89:21)? How can we pass through those gates to walk the Way God has prepared and chosen for the people (Isaiah 62:10) without knowing the thoughts and feelings the Word of Truth, Christ Jesus shares?
If you invest in this precious commodity God has given us – Time, interest will grow! Come along! Embark on a personal journey on the road to Emmaus, which means a warm spring and mule. Luke 24:13 tells of two men who had left Jerusalem, which includes this meaning: To flow as water, to point out, to teach, which was about seven miles from their destination – Emmaus.
Along the way they were discussing everything that had happened that day. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him. When asked what they were discussing, they stood still, their faces downcast and said: “Do you not know the things that have happened these days in Jerusalem?”
“About Jesus of Nazareth, He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. He was crucified. We had hoped He was the One Who was going to redeem Israel. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning, but didn’t find His body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said Jesus was alive. Some of our companions went to the tomb, and found it was just as the women had said, they did not see Him.”
The Man walking with them said, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” Then, beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.
~
They strongly urged the stranger to stay with them for the day was almost over, so He went in to stay with them. The Man sat with them at the table, took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them, when their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus, Who disappeared from their sight. They asked each other: “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked to us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned to Jerusalem to find the eleven and those with them saying: “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon?”
While they were still talking about this, Jesus Himself stood among them and said:
“Peace be with you!”
This is what God wants us to have peace of mind and heart, which His Word freely bestows. Jesus appeared to the one who denied Him not once but three times – Peter. How many times have we behaved in ways that have caused us to feel ashamed? All that is said about this time Jesus spent with Peter is exactly what those men said: It is true the Lord has appeared to Simon. Why? We each need His personal attention. We desperately need His individual and compassionate care. Anger, denial, rejection in words cannot prevent Jesus from coming to us. It’s a heart filled with anger and deception and wantonness that places distance between the Lord and ourselves.
Jesus may be a complete stranger to you, or He may be as those two men thought a Prophet, but it wasn’t until they became familiar with God’s Word that Truth was able to emerge and Christ, the Anointed One, was truly recognized.
Time flows like a spring of water, but a mule can’t be led to drink. And, like sands through an hourglass, so are the days of our lives. We can’t change the past or what tomorrow will bring, but we don’t have to be stuck or stymied by stubbornness or rejection or fear.
Jesus invites us to walk with Him in miraculous realms. This may stir your spirit, but there is much about us that robs us of experiencing its reality. Quite possibly there’s a mountain of obstacles that must be moved, but God is the only one who can help us overcome our ordinary life perspectives so extraordinary accomplishments can be realized and acheived.
Only God can accomplish what is impossible for us, and this is the mission He sets us on – Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery, and there is so much to discover. For God has designed a process that promises transformation will just naturally occur:
ASK SEEK KNOCK
For this is God’s promise, ask it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek shall find; and to those who knock, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).
Know, there are multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14) so I ask what is your decision? Are you willing to seek a friendship with Jesus? In Isaiah 26:7 the Message Bible identified the Lord as the Leveler, Who stops us at the crossroads so we can look around (Jeremiah 6:16) and give thought. Consider well your decision, to develop a friendship with the One Whose righteousness levels and evens a path in this fallen world with Truth and Grace so we can linger, for it is sign-posted with His decisions (Isaiah 26:7 The Message).
Praise God! The Lord desires to show you a more excellent way!
1 Corinthians 12:31
God’s Word reveals the One, Who offers Peace instead of confusion; Truth instead of our patterns of denial; Understanding instead of ignorance; Wisdom instead of foolishness; Righteousness instead of error; the Way to an abundant Life. Where fear is overcome by Love, for God is love! And His desire is to fill us with His Word so we not only come to know, but receive all the benefits that result from knowing the only One Who is Good (Matt. 19:17). For we are surely very familiar with the drawbacks and disadvantages of knowing evil!
~
The information I share has not been gained by just reading books, though the knowledge I received from them was essential. I also share what is based on experience. A lifetime of experiences has been woven together by the only One who could accomplish such a miraculous life-changing feat – Supplanting (usurping, displacing, cutting out) fear with Love and Power and the Soundness of Mind that God’s Word of Truth bestows.
Our will, our words, our emotions are powerful for how we think and feel generates action. However, what cannot be disputed there are only ever two choices: Good or Evil, Life or Death, Peace or Discord, Right or Wrong…and two wrongs will never make things right. And, unfortunately our heart and the ways of this world keep us bound to self-interest, and many lessons are being learned the hard way.
If there was interest in the image God created us to be, then it would be possible for the likeness of the Lord to be seen. For then, we’d better understand how our prideful nature really does set us up for failure. For the first Adam became for us a living soul; however, the second Adam, Christ Jesus, became for us a Life-Giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45).
So much interest has been invested in the standards of this world, and as a result, moral and ethical, social and work-related decorum (civility, correctness) is not only being trampled, the techniques-of-deceptions are readily being used. Yes, the white-washing of denial: Rationalizing, justifying, minimizing, accusing, blaming, excusing… is being applied in attempts to cover wrong-doing. Prayer was removed from schools and metal detectors are being installed. What is being gained? What is being lost? What really matters?
OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES MATTER!
Every person born on earth is automatically enrolled in the world’s school of hard knocks. However, a choice must be made to enroll in Holy Spirit’s Academy “Transformational Life.” Jesus shows Love and saves – Not by bow, sword or battle by horses and soldiers, but by the Lord God (Hosea 1:7), by the power and authority of God’s Word. He brings us victory over any enemy (anger, addiction, fear, shame, guilt, hatred, offense, bitterness, resentment, unforgiveness…)! He will put these adversaries of ours to shame (Psalm 44:6).
Along with Knowledge, Understanding and Insight, Holy Spirit gives us everything we may need to overcome and rise above those things that come against us. No matter our circumstances and whatever our differences God’s Word will always help us.
A banner has been set up for those who fear and worshipfully revere God; a standard displayed because of the Truth (Psalm 60:4). Twenty-five lessons are being offered that to date have evolved from a 30-year process of growing and gaining knowledge of God’s Word of Truth, Christ Jesus. During those early years, my mouth was filled with empty talk since insight and discernment were simply not a concern. Too much time was devoted to earning approval, seeking acceptance and validation in order to feel valued, in order to feel loved.
Countless attempts were made to protect and defend against all the regrets, disappointments and failures of my yesterdays, while at the same time being hindered, even impeded by the fear I projected into my tomorrows. Working to earn the love and respect of others; however, going about it with character deficits and learned behaviors that caused people to be put off. Unable to recognize the Truth of our human condition, so surely not realizing how flawed my efforts and how unrealistic my expectations.
~
I was being frightened and made off-balanced by my own doings: Critical, disrespectful, judgmental and self-righteous opinions and attitudes that absolutely affected, while also infecting my soul, my spirit, my way of thinking with diseases such as codependency, people-pleasing, the confusion and fear and deep-rooted anger that emotional traumas generate.
So much fear and confusion amassed since childhood wanting to please and be accepted, to be valued and loved. Trying to cope, ; yet, deluged over and over by the uncertainties of life. How difficult to remain even-keeled when feelings specific to self-interest are unpredictable and fragile, and so easily injured by the teeter-tottering of emotion.
I was made aware of God’s process for transformation while going through the upset and emotional trauma adversity causes. I would not wish such adversity on anyone, but I have personally experienced, like so many of us have, the turmoil and pain that stubbornness and trusting my ways were actually better causes.
Hurting people hurt people intentionally and not so intentionally, we still get hurt. There’s an insanity involved in all of this when we’re doing the same things over and over yet expecting, hoping, praying for a different result. God can’t snap His fingers so our learned behaviors could be removed. The result would be like suffering a form of amnesia, with this essential component unrecognizable: What we really, truly believe. But God, He is very aware of the purpose and potential He has placed in us, and He is very willing to birth new Life within us!
~
If your interest has been peaked, I pray you consider taking part in these lessons and receive whatever God is waiting to impart. Each lesson has the title given to it by Pastor John Baker, so steps can be taken, twelve, that will take us further than we could have hoped or imagined. Like Jacob who wrestled with the Angel of the Lord, and afterwards received the new name Israel, which represents his change of character; we too can experience miraculous changes when the strength and power of God’s Word is known.
Yes! These steps have been established so we can walk into realms of understanding with Holy Spirit as our Guide, as we set off on this journey of Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery. There are principles Pastor Rick Warren established, eight in all, that will provide support and protection, as spiritual guardrails, during this process of our becoming more God-dependent rather than codependent. For then, we can truly experience what it means to celebrate Renewal, to Celebrate Recovery, to celebrate friendship with God, Who seats us in heavenly realms (Epheisians2:6), and does immeasurably more for us than what we could ever think or ask (Ephesians 3:20).
The first key is to maintain an honest view of the spiritual reality God wants us to know. Begin by not only considering circumstances and events as substantial, but by becoming aware of the substance of Truth – the Life, the Alpha and Omega, the heart and spirit as we work on taking steps of faith remembering, proclaiming:
God exists and I matter to Him
That God could and would if He were sought
Admitting I am powerless
If God is your co-pilot, switch seats
Acknowledging in certain areas my life became unmanageable
Sorrow shared is halved; Joy shared is doubled
Believing God will restore me with Love, a Sound Mind and Power
Success means getting your BUT out of the way
Believing God will help me stay committed to this decision to put all of who I am
Into His possession and safekeeping
There is no magic in this process of renewal and recovery only miracles
Believing the Word of God will encourage, support and strengthen me
As I make a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself
There is pain in this process. Misery is optional
Because of God’s loving-kindness I have become willing to admit to God,
To myself and another person the exact nature of my wrongs
The road to resentment is paved with expectation
With Truth as my solid foundation, I have become entirely ready
To have God remove all my defects of character
Courage is faith that has said its prayers
Having received faith and hope and love for the Surety God has given
I humbly ask Him to remove my shortcomings
F.A.I.T.H. = Fantastic Adventure In Trusting Him
Having gained knowledge and insight and understanding I have become willing to make
A list of anyone I have harmed, and to make an amends to them all
Just for today I will try to live through this day only,
And not tackle my whole life problems at once
Having gained confidence and trust in God’s refuge I have become willing to step out
With the mindset I am doing this with God and for His glory to make my amends
Whenever possible unless to do so would cause injury to others
Remembering nothing is going to happen today that you and God can’t handle
I embrace my covenant relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit by continuing
To take a personal moral inventory, and when I am wrong being prompt to admit it
We are not human beings having spiritual experiences;
We are spiritual beings having human experiences
I invest in my relationship with God by communicating through prayer and meditation
To improve my conscious contact with Him seeking knowledge of His will
And the power of grace to carry that out
If God seems far away, who moved?
I seek Revival, Restoration and Reconciliation, a spiritual awakening, as a result of taking
Steps to carry God’s message to others and to practice these principles in all my affairs
Worry is a conversation you have with yourself about things you cannot change.
Prayer is a conversation with God about things He can change!
Within each lesson information from the following sources has been included:
- Co-Dependent No More Melody Beatty
- Beyond Co-Dependency Melody Beatty
- Codependents Guide to the Twelve Steps Melody Beatty
- The Trauma Zone R. Dandridge Collins, PH.D
- Breaking Free Pia Mellody & Andrea W. Miller
- Celebrate Recovery Leader’s Guide John Baker
Denial is the first of 25 lessons incorporated into our journey of Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery, an undertaking that will make you ride high and soar above what disillusions and shames. You’ll be free to enjoy God (Isaiah 58:14 Message)! Honoring the Lord in what we do, not following our own desires and pleasures, not talking idly. Then the Lord will be our delight! He will see to it we each receive our full share of blessings as God’s will is being done to Refresh, Replenish and Revive – a spiritual Rebirth – as His purpose is given definition: Rebirth. The English Language Learners helps us to better understand:
1. The act or process of becoming healthy after an illness or injury; the act or process of
recovering INNER HEALING
2. The act or process of returning to a normal state after a period of difficulty
DELIVERANCE
3. The return of something that has been lost, stolen, etc.
SALVATION
- Denial has been defined as:
- A false system of beliefs that are not based on reality
- And a self-protecting behavior that keeps us from honestly facing the Truth
~
The Psalms have been my prayers, and I asked: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,” Psalm 139:23-2. For surely Lord, “You desire truth in the inner parts; therefore, teach me Your wisdom in the inmost place,” Psalm 51:6.
The Lord answered and sent me on this journey of inner healing and recovery, and it’s my pleasure to share the discoveries I have made with you. Within each section the amassed information emanates its own distinct findings and encouragement; however, when worked and melded together, like a kaleidoscope, they offer radiant portrayals of God’s love and concern for our overall well-being. For this quest is one designed with the support of God’s Word, which provides a solid foundation one not swayed by opinion or emotion for this sole purpose: Life changing breakthroughs would be experienced!
The Message Bible tells us not to shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of us. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ (Colossians 3:2).
~
Yes, the Son of God has come and offers us knowledge, insight and understanding, so that we know Him Who is True (1 John 5:20a); Who said:
“I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear, to be in awe and wonder of Me, so that they will never turn away from Me. I will rejoice in doing them good with all My heart and soul. I will betroth you to Me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness and you will acknowledge the Lord,” Jeremiah 32:40.
This is God’s testimony: He gives us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (1 John 5:11). And this is eternal life: That they may know the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent (John 17:3).
Praise God! It took time but I received this Good News, and now I know that Jesus, God’s Word of Truth and Life and Grace, continues to walk on earth accomplishing the miraculous so we can open our eyes and see, open our mouths and taste how good God truly is (Psalm 34:8). The Lord doesn’t leave us lame, He becomes our Righteousness making us upright, putting us in right standing with God (1 Corinthians 1:30), for He desires the upright to see His face (Psalm 11:7), and share in His glory (2 Thessalonians 2:14). This is why He says:
“Come now, let us reason together.”
Are you aware of the exchanges God was able to make for you through His Son?
- Jesus was condemned that you might be forgiven
- Jesus was wounded that you might be healed
- Jesus was made sin for your sinfulness, that you might be made upright by His
righteousness - Jesus tasted death for you that you might receive everlasting life
- Jesus was made a curse that you might receive an abundance of blessings
- Jesus endured poverty that you might prosper and be in health even as your soul
prospers - Jesus bore your shame that you might receive His glory
- Jesus endured rejection that you might know God’s acceptance
- Jesus was cut off that you might be united with your heavenly Father
- Jesus laid His life down so you could be made alive in Him
This is why I have prayed over this outreach – For God, Fore His Glory – that it would be as a beacon that signals safe refuge in the arms of Jesus, while holding out to all – the Word of Life (Philippians 2:15 TLB); which is a Beacon for sound advice; a Light that emanates good teaching; a Life path of moral and corrective discipline (Proverbs 6:23).
~
There is much that has been lost, given away and taken from us. This time is God-given for you to recover from the abuse and trouble and harsh (codependent) servitude you have endured (Isaiah 14:3 The Message). This time is God-given for you to discover tools, keys and truths that will work to free you from the chains of injustice and the cords of that yoke (cruel and abusive exploitations of this world). To set free those who are oppressed (dominated, coerced, belittled, demeaned); and break every yoke (anger, hatred, prejudice, lust, greed…). (Isaiah 58:6-9).
All that’s needed is a willingness to say Jesus,
“Here I am! I’d like to be Your friend.”
This is the God-given time to be edified so any falsehood in which you have been living can be identified, and those things that are weighing you down can be removed. Along this course of Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery, I saw myself walking down a very brightly lit white corridor, and as I navigated through each and every step, following principles, receiving what these lessons imparted, I saw myself setting things down – emotional baggage. Ridding myself of self-blame and shame and guilt. I was learning the difference between accountability and
responsibility what was mine and what was not. I was learning to be patient, respectful and kind to myself, to take care of my side of the street, to live one day at a time.
There is a lot of information; however, remember to keep in mind this material is meant to work in your behalf to release you from character deficits and self-destructive behaviors that are harm-filled one step at a time; one day at time (a process). And, if assistance is needed for one moment, one hour at a time, God’s Word will always be there to support and empower. That you might recover cheerfulness and encouraging strength and know gladness (Psalm 39:13) and wonderful times of refreshment that God sends from heaven, the presence of the Lord
(Acts 3:19 TLB).
This information is life changing! For you will grow in knowledge and confidence knowing, trusting, believing – God loves you; and it is God Who will help you remain confident in His love for you as He helps you to apply what pertains to you and your life at this present time. God will help you reclaim your power from the likes of fear or anger or issues of control that we have empowered for such a long, long time. And what’s so very sad, the empowerment we provide the forces of negativity is being used to inflict harm against ourselves and others.
So I encourage you, no matter how simple or complex the circumstance you face – keep in mind there are only two choices – two directions in which to go. My prayer, my hope is you choose daily to continue on God’s mission of Renewal (Inner Healing) and Recovery. Come, travel its paths and find rest for your soul (Jeremiah. 6:16). Discover God is a fountain of Truth (John 3:33). Discover His words and live, really live; body and soul, you’ll burst with health (Proverbs 4:22) as this discovery is made – Who you really are, and your place in God’s family (Matthew 5:9).
STEP ONE
(WHILE SEEKING FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS)
WE ADMITTED WE WERE POWERLESS OVER OUR ADDICTIONS
AND COMPULSIVE BEHAVIORS AND THAT OUR LIVES HAD
BECOME UNMANAGEABLE
“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good, but cannot carry it out,” Romans 7:18
PRINCIPLE ONE
REALIZE I’M NOT GOD. I ADMIT THAT I AM POWERLESS TO
CONTROL MY TENDENCY TO DO THE WRONG THING AND
THAT MY LIFE IS UNMANAGEABLE
“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor,” Matthew 5:3
LESSON ONE
POWERLESS
PART ONE
- The first step gives us permission to
- Stop controlling
- Taking care of others
- Begin taking care of ourselves
- The kind of self-care that accompanies our new journey of renewal
(inner healing) and recovery- Following “A more excellent way” by taking steps that are
- Gentle
- Kind
- More loving and freeing
- More focused on tending to our own responsibilities
- Following “A more excellent way” by taking steps that are
- These steps are a
- Healing
- Rejuvenating
- A Renewing kind of self-care
- One with room for
- Feelings
- Needs
- Wants
- Desires
- Goals
- Plans
- Lives of our own
- Lives with meaning and purpose
- Ones that make sense
- One with room for
- We accept the premise in this step
- We are POWERLESS over others
- We agree that we don’t like the notion
- We can’t control
- We may hate feeling
- Vulnerable
- Helpless
- Feeling uncomfortable
- Being in emotional pain
- We may be sick and tired of having to
- Detach
- Surrender
- We may hate feeling
- We can’t control
- In this step we can discover and become familiar with the Power of God’s
Spirit of Grace, Who He makes available to us through this process of renewal
(inner healing) and recovery, as we come to- Recognize
- Admit the Truth:
- I am powerless over much in life
- When I try to have power and control where I have NONE
- I get crazy
- When I try to have power and control where I have NONE
- I can’t control others no matter how much I want to
- No matter how much I think my way is better
- What’s right for them
- I can’t control what others
- Do
- Think
- Feel
- Whether or how they choose to interact with me
- I can’t control whether or when they choose to
- Grow
- Change
- I can’t control whether or when they choose to look inward as this
process of healing and recovery requires - My life has become or in some manner become unmanageable because
I cannot control myself- I am powerless over the backlog of feelings and negative beliefs I’ve
accumulated - I’m powerless over my own and other people’s addictions to
- Chemicals
- Misery
- I’m powerless over
- Results
- Life
- Circumstances
- Events
- I am powerless over the backlog of feelings and negative beliefs I’ve
- I can’t control the course of relationships or the timing
- In the attempt to control myself by repressing thoughts and feelings
- I lose myself
- Controlling makes me and others crazy
- It puts me under the control of whatever I’m trying to influence
- I lose myself
- l lose touch with myself
- People get angry and tend to back off
- I am powerless over much in life
- By trying to control situations and circumstances I set up blocks to events
moving forward- I am spending my time and energy trying to have power
- When I have none
- I lose my ability to live my own life
- Realizing the emotional trauma/s we have experienced have
the ability to- Spin us in circles
- I am spending my time and energy trying to have power
- Trauma sets off a voice in our soul
- A recording filled with negative thoughts
- When these negative messages are heeded and continually repeated
- We remain stuck
- Godly revelation helps us recognize one of the sources of support necessary
to our inner healing and recovery is from- OURSELVES
- Trauma is life’s ultimate test
- We can be left in the aftermath of emotional pain for years, as the result of
- Divorce
- Incest
- Infidelity
- Sudden job loss
- Church blowups
- Betrayals
- Consequently, we are left with a strange, uncomfortable voice of
- Negativity
- Disapproval
- Pessimism
- That plays over and over again in our heads
- The negativity it generates is not only pointed at others
- Including God
- It penetrates into the depths of our inner beings causing us
to become- Stymied
- Frozen
- Overwhelmed
- It penetrates into the depths of our inner beings causing us
- Including God
- This voice of negativity can take on disturbing images
- Maybe a flashback
- A snapshot of a tragic experience
- That pollutes the landscape of our minds
- They cause us to feel as though we are running around in circles
- Reliving our nightmares
- Compulsions
- Anxieties a thousand times
- We are held as captives by thoughts and images that are
- Embedded in our past
- Embedded in our past
- This voice that overflows with criticism and ridicule can whip our feelings into
a frenzy by getting us to buy into the belief- Our lives can never change
- It’s the “Once bruised always damaged” kind of thinking
- Our lives can never change
- This voice of derision and scorn counsels us to expect the worst
- From life
- From people
- Always reminding and condemning us about life experiences that have been
tragically painful - This voice spawns
- Worry
- Alarm
- Dread
- Terror
- Causing us to be on guard
- Ready to duck
- If necessary duke it out
- It’s speech is persistent and overbearing when its advice is heeded,
- Shaming tactics are given credence
- Which binds us up like a ball and chain
- Shaming tactics are given credence
- All of this is definitely bad news
- There is good news for us to grasp
- This voice of negativity can be likened to a broken fire alarm system
- It goes off when there is neither fire nor danger
- This voice of negativity can be likened to a broken fire alarm system
- During this step of our renewal (inner healing) and recovery
- We begin the work of healing from our emotional pain
- Seeking God’s help so we can identify when a false alarm is
being sounded- God will give us the needed Grace to tune it out
- Seeking God’s help so we can identify when a false alarm is
- We begin the work of healing from our emotional pain
- The challenge is for us to learn how to relax and calmly face whatever we
are experiencing- God is always willing and ready
- To help us
- To empower us through His Word
- Christ Jesus
- Christ Jesus
- God is always willing and ready
- Remember, the emotional trauma we have experienced will make and
possibly has made us a basket case- When we allow it
- It is important for us to remind ourselves this voice of gloom and doom
speaks a language of EXAGGERATION - With this in mind
- When a problem that has been dealt with many times recurs
- Slow it down a bit
- When a problem that has been dealt with many times recurs
- We can be determined to do as Paul instructs in 2 Cor. 10:3-5, as
translated by the Message Bible:
The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world
doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way —
never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing
or manipulation (or being controlling).”
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s
mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds
of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every
proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their
rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ,” 2 Corinthians. 10:3 NLT.
- During this step, we choose to believe
- God exists
- We matter to Him
- As a result, we can begin to live POWERFULLY in the present
- We can allow ease to triumph over the DIS-EASE that emotional trauma
produces by- Learning from our errors
- We can choose to allow our mistakes
- To be our mentors
- To be our mentors
- When we are triggered and become inclined to overreact with
- Sadness
- Anger
- Fear
- Keep in mind the message is being
- Overstated
- Stay calm
- Respond to the challenge with the strength
- That comes from God’s love
- That voice of unrest is a fear-monger
- Whose goal is to paralyze us
- We can choose to just keep walking
- One step at a time
- We can choose to just keep walking
- Whose goal is to paralyze us
- We can march out of that emotional disturbance with ever increasing faith
and trust in God Who tells us:
Not to harden our hearts disobeying His Word (for surely) we will fall;
Instead, be diligent to enter His rest. For the one who has entered God’s rest
Has also rested from their works, as God did from His. (Remembering)
WE ARE POWERLESS OVER OUR COMPULSIVE AND ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
OUR ISSUES WITH CONTROL CAUSES UNMANAGEABILITY IN OUR LIVES
GOD EXISTS
I MATTER TO HIM
TRUTH AND GRACE AND EMPOWEREMENT ARE RECEIVED THROUGH HIS WORD
Whatever God says to us is full of living Power, for the Word of God is living and active
And sharper than any two-edged sword. Piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit;
Deep into our innermost being, judging the thoughts and desires and intentions of the heart.
Everything about us is bare and wide open to the all-seeing eyes of our living God;
Nothing can be hidden from Him to Whom we are accountable!
Hebrews 4:12-13
- Remember, God never tests us past our breaking point
- His tests are designed for our good
- To bring out Christian character
- His tests are designed for our good
- Jesus tells us:
“The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart,
And those things defile the person.
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
Fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile,”
Matthew 15:18-19.
- Adversity allows Holy Spirit to help us become
- More like Christ
- God is preparing us for new adventures with Him
- God is able to transform the hurts from our emotional traumas into spiritual gain
by making us more- Discerning
- Knowlegable
- Insightful
- Wise
- Respectful of self and others
- This newfound understanding helps us to sort out both external and internal
distractions- The voice of trauma is an internal distraction
- It’s message
- Defeat
- Despair
- Is never fully accurate
- It is the voice of
- COVER-UP
- DENIAL
- It is the voice of
- Is never fully accurate
- We can choose to listen to another voice
- The One that speaks to our need for inner healing and recovery
- The voice of Holy Spirit
- Calms us
- Comforts us
- Teaches us
- Transforms us
- Redirects us
- His voice
- Encourages
- Inspires
- It connects with hope and an uplifting vision that leads us out of internal
disturbances and into a relationship with the Good Shepherd, Christ Jesus - Jesus said:
“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them and they follow Me,”
John 10:27
- During this step we are working to quickly learn to recognize the voice of Trauma is
based on negative messages about- Self in particular
- Life in general
- During our journey of inner healing and restoration we are learning to recognize
the voice of Holy Spirit- Who always speaks of God’s Word of
- Truth
- Life
- Peace
- Christ Jesus
- Who always speaks of God’s Word of
- Pray for wisdom and the grace to quiet the voice of Trauma
- Seek Truth from God’s Word
Father, many of us have been through the wringer emotionally. We learn
To listen to a voice that was not Yours. It was the voice of our pain, our fear and our doubt.
It was the voice of Trauma. Teach us today to override the voice of our misery
With the voice of Your Mercy. Help us to overcome the voice of fear
With the voice of Faith. Empower us to conquer the voice of defeat with the voice
Of Your overwhelming, life-transforming Love. Remind us. dear Father, that there is a
Way out of our heartache, and that You will show us the way. Amen.
- Our inner healings and recoveries are a quest for
- KNOWLEDGE
- In Hosea 4:6 God tells us:
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge”
- Discoveries such as this will be made by those who are
- Willing
- Teachable
- Controlling sets up a peculiar energy – people feel it – even if we
are just thinking about it and not acting on it - People react to it by deliberately doing what we are trying to make
them stop doing, or by not doing what we are trying to make them do- It’s an energy controlled by FEAR
- Controlling sets up a peculiar energy – people feel it – even if we
- During this step we realize it is not our job to
- Take care of others
- Take care of their
- Feelings
- Thoughts
- Decisions
- Growth
- Responsibilities
- During this step we realize it is our job to take care of
- Our own feelings
- Thoughts
- Growth
- Responsibilities
- During this step we realize
- Though it may seem natural to want to control others
- Especially when they’re hurting themselves or us
- When things aren’t working out to our liking; however,
- It is NOT our job
- Though it may seem natural to want to control others
- Step One – We admit we are POWERLESS
- This step does not imply
- Irresponsibility
- Helplessness
- We are not saying
- “I can’t help myself because of what others are doing or
have done to me”
- “I can’t help myself because of what others are doing or
- We are saying the opposite
- We are responsible for ourselves and our affairs
- Others are responsible for themselves and their affairs
- Whether or not we like how they are handling them
- This step does not imply
- During this step we acknowledge we are responsible for:
- Stopping our own pain
- Facing and dealing with our own fear
- Saying no
- Giving ourselves what we need
- Setting boundaries we need to set
- Making choices and decisions
- We need to make to take care of ourselves
- In any circumstance or situation
- We need to make to take care of ourselves
- We are NOT victims
- By accepting powerlessness
- We will become EMPOWERED
- To take care of ourselves
- We will become EMPOWERED
- By accepting POWERLESSNESS
- We stop controlling others
- We can allow and trust them to live their lives
- Step One grounds us
- In reality
- In ourselves
- It centers us
- It balances us
- 1 John 2:15-16 instructs us:
Not to love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world.
If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them
For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh (cravings for sensual gratification)
And the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life
(Assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]
These do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself].
- When we accept our powerlessness
- We stop controlling
- Things begin to fall into place
- We stop controlling
- We discover our place in this world
- Is a good place
- We will even become grateful for the way things work out
- It’s better than what we could have accomplished with
- Our controlling behaviors
- It’s better than what we could have accomplished with
- We are powerless over so much more than we thought
- What anyone taught us
- By accepting this as Truth we’re free to own our TRUE POWER
- Which is also so much MORE than anyone told us
- By accepting this as Truth we’re free to own our TRUE POWER
- What anyone taught us
- We have power to
- Think
- Feel
- Solve problems
- Set boundaries
- Set and reach goals
- Create
- Heal
- Take care of and love ourselves unconditionally
- Love those around us unconditionally
- We learn we are POWERLESS over everything we have wanted to
- CONTROL
- This first step helps us to begin DETACHING
- A healing and recovery concept that means we
- Release and detach from others – lovingly
- Whenever possible
- Release and detach from others – lovingly
- A healing and recovery concept that means we
- This step helps us begin to identify the proper use and abuse of
- WILLPOWER
- DISTORTED RELATIONSHIP TO WILLPOWER:
- Many of us believe that it is possible to control our lives by
- Sheer force of will
- It is important to understand the distinction between
- Willfulness
- Willingness
- The willful person believes that all manner of things can be controlled
if one’s willpower is- Strong enough
- Focused enough
- Failure
- Even failure to control events beyond anyone’s ability to control
- Leads to a sense of INADEQUACY
- Even failure to control events beyond anyone’s ability to control
- The willing person recognizes the value of determination in those areas
where it is possible to exercise influence or control while accepting the fact- THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE SIMPLY CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT
- Many of us believe that it is possible to control our lives by
Father, I ask You for a fresh vision for what break-through will look like in my life.
Help me to pursue my inner healing while I wait for my miracle. Show me how to rest
Right in the middle of the storm. Help me to enjoy the feast You prepare for me,
Right in the middle of the battlefield.
I want my whole life to testify that there’s a God in heaven Who knows my name
And who will get me safely home. Fill me afresh with the wonder of Your love and power.
I am determined to win this battle with anxiety — worry or fear or anger or addiction —
Hurts, habits and hang-ups. Help me to discern when to rest, when to feast,
And how to actively engage my faith as I wait for You to break-through.
May my life display Your power.
Do the impossible in and through me, I pray. Amen.
Susie Larson