A couple weeks ago, in the midst of snowpocalypse, we had an inner-healing conference for the Adventures in Missions staff. It was an intense, but incredible week- long conference. God used it to do a lot in my heart. So, I wanted to share 3 huge things that I took away from it with you!
1. The problem isn’t the problem.
We live in the most overweight and over-medicated generation than ever before in history. I strongly believe that it’s due to us suppressing our emotions and not facing the real issues. Instead, we turn to food, alcohol, or medication as a coping mechanism in hopes that it will solve our problems. We are just trying to fix the symptoms instead of treating the sickness.
I have struggled with fear and anxiety throughout my life. I have always been the one who likes to be in control. I want to have a plan for everything and growing up I wasn’t much of a risk taker. Praise God for the World Race! I remember several times on my race where I realized that I was in a situation totally out of my control. I learned what dependency on the Lord looked like and what faith truly looks like. I wish I could tell you that the race cured all of my anxiety and fears, but it didn’t. I may have learned more about what dependence and faith looked like, but I still struggled a lot with anxiety and fear after stepping off of the field. It was because I hadn’t taken the time to figure out what the root of my symptoms was.
During soul care, God revealed to me that my fears actually come back to some deep rooted hurts from my past. I can think of 3 significant life situations that were out of my control. Each one of them hurt me severely and left heart wounds. I realized that my fear of not being in control came from those past wounds. I somehow associated lack of control with getting hurt. Instead of focusing on trying to get rid of fear, I needed to focus on God’s redemption work in those situations. I am a work in progress, but inch by inch I am experiencing total freedom.
2. Forgiveness has multiple layers.
We live in the microwave generation. Our generation is very much so an instant gratification seeking one. We want quick fixes and solutions. So many times we think forgiveness is a one-time choice and done process. However, that isn’t the case. Healing doesn’t always come over night and forgiveness is a daily choice.
Sometimes, I find myself in a situation that triggers a painful memory. Then, I start feeling hurt from a situation I thought I had totally let go of. I get so frustrated with myself and feel like I have made no progress in healing. I wonder why I am still feeling pain from something that I have let go of and forgiven the other party for?! Turns out forgive and forget doesn’t work out so well when you remember.
Forgiveness is like a spiral staircase. Sometimes, God only lets us deal with things one flight at a time. Let’s face it, if we saw the entire staircase at once we probably wouldn’t want to climb it. Thankfully, God gives us things as we can handle them. Once we conquer one aspect and are at a healthy place, He will give us another flight to conquer. When we choose to continue in the healing journey and continue praying blessings over the person that hurts us, we are able to experience more of God’s heart.
3. It is important to have a total life confession.
We live in a white picket fence generation. How many people in your life know everything about you? Our generation doesn’t like to be vulnerable. We think that if people really new our mess they wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with us. Our churches are full of people that are putting off an attitude of having it all together.
Vulnerability is so important. When you shine light on your sins, you are taking them away from the enemy. Satan wants us to live in the bondage of our sins, because that produces isolation.
If you don’t let people see all of you than you are giving them a false self. You won’t ever truly feel loved, accepted, or understood by anyone in your life, because they don’t really know you. We need to stop putting on fake faces and start being real. Obviously, it isn’t safe or wise to share all of your nitty gritty details with everyone. However, it is important to share all of your struggles with at least 1 person that you are currently doing life with. It may be uncomfortable and awkward to share every struggle you’ve had with someone you are so close to, but it is worth it. My favorite quote from the book 7 Habits of Highly Effective people says, “The more deeply you understand someone, them more deeply you appreciate them.” This is so true. Living in a fallen world, it is safe to say that we are all hot messes. When we become real with ourselves with others, we are able to walk in freedom and invite them to do so too.
Peace. Love. Synergy.
