By Nancy Virden (c) 2018,2020
It is the responsibility of each person to choose submission to God’s wisdom, or not. The world-at-large will choose to ignore him. If you are a Christian, and struggling with your thoughts and emotions, wise counsel is part of what the Great Physician prescribes. Proverbs 12: 6, 15, 18 tell us the value of such advice. “… the speech of the upright rescues… the wise listen to advice… the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
One religious man who stands against anything having to do with psychological study, said that focus on childhood wounds in therapy “naturally” breeds resentment of one’s parents. He is flat-out wrong. Like people who choose to abuse, we choose to resent or not. Awareness of childhood wounds and the roles of all concerned brings closure. I could begin to forgive others and myself directly due to taking the time to understand.
Our thoughts, core beliefs, filters, decisions, etc. are strongly influenced by childhood experiences. We do well to seek help deciphering truth from error. Lack of self-awareness is the cornerstone of denial. If our identity is lost to the past, we cannot fully live out what God planned for us. Introspection unveils poisonous roots, God’s Word casts light where understanding is dark, and therapy or counseling can guide the process.
Self-realization, defined in Webster’s as “fulfillment by oneself of the possibilities of one’s character or personality” (italics mine), can be a prideful endeavor. Truly, none of us is capable as fallible beings to wholly fulfill anything or anyone by ourselves.
However, God sent his Holy Spirit to guide and teach us in the ways that please God and fulfill us best. Without his input, we base our ideas on only temporary things humans know. The Holy Spirit is called a Counselor. He is the ultimate counselor, not the only one. God can speak through trained professionals, too.
Today’s Helpful Word
Proverbs 4:7
Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair.
*** COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME
NOTE: I am not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speak only from personal experiences and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.
If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.
If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!
Always the Fight 
Isn’t it great that God sends His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth? I’m thinking our life will be improved with regard to resentments (and many other things) if we can practice “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5) – i.e. aligning our thinking with what God says is true, whether we get those thoughts out of the memory of childhood, the advice of counselors, friends, or our own heart. I need to try to get my perspective to be His point of view. I can’t learn His point of view if I don’t spend time with Him.
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My aunt once said, if we want to shine the glory of God like Moses, we must spend as much time with God as he did. Thanks for your comment!
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