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PRESENTS

“HEALINGTHEHUMANSOUL”

ASEMINARFORLOCALCHURCHLEADERS

JimLaffoon,InternationalDirector

EveryNationSchoolsofEmpowerment

BethelWorldOutreachChurchBrentwood,TN

Saturday,August5,2017

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TABLEOFCONTENTS PAGECOURSEOUTLINE 3SECTIONONE:DEALINGWITHSINPATTERNS 4SECTIONTWO:DEALINGWITHCURSES 9SECTIONTHREE:DEALINGWITHTRAUMA 16WORKSHEETS ACTIVATINGTHECONSCIENCE 24 ACTIVATINGTHENEWNATURE—SACREDSPACE 26 “PUTTINGOFF”AND“PUTTINGON” 32 RELEASINGTHEBLESSING 34 HEALINGTRAUMA 35SCRIPTUREVERSESOFBLESSING 36SCRIPTUREVERSESFORHEALING 38

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COURSEOUTLINEWhetheryouareservinginyourlocalchurchasasmallgroupleader,amemberoftheministryteam, or simply making a disciple, sooner or later, you will find yourself ministering to aChristianwhoisfacingastubbornpatternofsinorpain.Thisseminarisdesignedtoequipyouwiththeskillsandtoolsyouneedtohelpthesepeopleovercomethesepatterns.Asyouwillseebelow, the seminar is divided into four sections. Each sectionwill include both lectures andpracticalexercises.SECTIONONE:DEALINGWITHSINPATTERNSInthissection,youwillbetaughthowtopracticallyapplythewordofGodandthepoweroftheHolySpirittostubbornsinpatternsanddeeplyingrainedneuralpathwaysthathavebeencreatedoutsideofChrist’sLordship.SECTIONTWO:DEALINGWITHCURSESANDDECEPTIONThissectionwillprovideyouwithinstructionandapplicationinthepracticesandprinciplesofseeingpeoplesetfreefromgenerationalstrongholds,spokencurses,deception,andnegativethoughtpatterns.

SECTIONTHREE:DEALINGWITHTRAUMAInsectionthree,youwillbeequippedtohelppeopleexperiencethehealingpowerofChristinthoseareasoftheirsoulwheretheyhavebeentraumatized.WORKSHEETS:Theseworksheetswill be instrumental for yourwork in healing human souls.Youhavepermissiontoreproduceasneeded.*ALLSCRIPTURESWILLBETAKENFROMTHENEWINTERNATIONALVERSIONUNLESSNOTED

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SECTIONONE:DEALINGWITHSINPATTERNS

Beforewediscussissuesdealingwithcurses,andtrauma,IwanttoexaminethepowerofGod'sWord and discipleship to transform stubborn sin patterns and the deeply embedded neuralpatternsthatreinforcethem.STRONGHOLDS—If you are going to experience the transformation of the most tenaciousproblempatternsinyourlife,youmustacceptthefactthatitisgoingtobeabattle.Scripturelikensthesepatternstostrongholds:

“Theweaponswefightwitharenottheweaponsoftheworld.Onthecontrary,they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments andeverypretensionthatsets itselfupagainst theknowledgeofGod,andwetakecaptiveeverythoughttomakeitobedienttoChrist.”(2Corinthians10:4-5)

NEURALTRANSFORMATION—Untiltheendofthetwentiethcentury,neurologistsbelievednonewneuronswerecreatedafterthefirst3-5yearsoflife.Withthediscoveryofneurogenesis,weknowthathumansretaintheabilitytocreatenewneuronsandneuralpatternsthroughouttheirlives.Wealsoknowthatnewneuralgrowthisstimulatedthroughenvironmentalfactors,socialinteractions,andlearningexperiences.Thediscoveryofneurogenesishasrevolutionizedmodernpsychologyandpsychiatry.Furthermore,thoughanunderstandingofepigenetics,wehavediscoveredthatthegenetictemplate(genotype)we inherit fromourparents isradicallyaffectedinitsexpression(phenotype)byourlifeexperiences(LouisCozolino-TheNeuroscienceofPsychotherapy).Forbelievers, thefactthatourneuralpatternscanbetransformedshouldnotcomeasasurprise.Ezekielpromisesthateventhemosthardenedneuralpatternscanbechanged:

Iwillgivethemanundividedheartandputanewspiritinthem;Iwillremovefromthemtheirheartofstoneandgivethemaheartofflesh.(Ezekiel11:19)

NEURALPATTERNS—Wemust remember,however, that this isnota simple task.Oldneuralpatterns never totally disappear; they simply lose their strength and power as new neuralpatternsare formed.Thephraseusedtodescribehowneuronsare formed is, “Neurons thatfire together, wire together.” This clever phrase was first used in 1949 by Donald Hebb, aCanadian neuropsychologist. His famous axiom reminds us that every experience, thought,feelingandphysicalsensationtriggersthousandsofneuronswhichformaneuralnetwork.Thestrengthoftheseneuralpathwaysisreinforcedbythebrain’srewardcircuits.Oneofthemostimportant of these circuits is themesolimbic dopamine system.When this reward circuit isactivated, it tells the individual to repeatwhat it just did to get that reward. The release ofneurochemicalsalsoactivatesthebrain’smemorycenters,whichalsomotivatesthepersontorepeat thatbehavior.Through thepowerofGod,however,even themost stubbornpatternscanbechanged!

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Donotconformtothepatternofthisworld,butbetransformedbytherenewingofyourmind.ThenyouwillbeabletotestandapprovewhatGod’swillis—His

good,pleasingandperfectwill.(Romans12:2)

SPIRITUALEFFECTSOFSIN—Thereissomethingelseattherootofoursinpatternsthatisnotmaterialororganic.Thereisaspiritualpowertosinthatishardtodefine.AlthoughitinvolvesthedeceptivetemptationsofSatanandhisdemonichordes,itismorethanthat:

Forthemysteryoflawlessnessisalreadyatwork;onlyHewhonowrestrainswilldosountilHeistakenoutoftheway.(2Thessalonians2:7NKJV)

Paul uses the term "mystery of iniquity." Throughout the book of Romans, Paul describespervasiveeffectsofsinonhumansintermslikethese:

Whatshallweconcludethen?Dowehaveanyadvantage?Notatall!ForwehavealreadymadethechargethatJewsandGentilesalikeareallunderthe

powerofsin.(Romans1:9)

Therefore,justassinenteredtheworldthroughoneman,anddeaththroughsin,andinthiswaydeathcametoallpeople,becauseallsinned—(Romans5:12)

WeknowthatouroldselfwascrucifiedwithHiminorderthatthebodyofsinmightbebroughttonothing,sothatwewouldnolongerbeenslavedtosin.

(Romans6:6ESV)

ACTIVATION—WithouttheflowofGod'sresurrectionpowerandlife,thepowerofsincannotbebroken.IfwearetoexperiencethechangeGoddesiresforusinthefaceofsuchopposition,wemustactivatebothourconsciencesandthewellspringofGod’spower. InEphesians4:17-19, Paul describes the internal darkness, ignorance, hardness, and lackof spiritual sensitivitythatmaketheprocessoftransformationsochallenging:

SoItellyouthis,andinsistonitintheLord,thatyoumustnolongerliveastheGentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in theirunderstandingandseparatedfromthelifeofGodbecauseoftheignorancethatis in themdue to thehardeningof theirhearts.Having lostall sensitivity, theyhave given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind ofimpurity,andtheyarefullofgreed.(Ephesians4:17-19)

ACTIVATIONOFTHECONSCIENCE—OurconscienceisoneofthemediumsthroughwhichGodoperates. We can experience both God’s pleasure and displeasure in our conscience. InScripture, our consciences canbedefiled, seared, and corrupted throughhabitual sin. I havediscovered that when someone is facing a deeply rooted sin pattern, there is normally aconscienceproblemaswell.When this is thecase, theconsciencemustbe re-activated.Thisprocess involves the re-sensitizing of the conscience through meditation on Scriptures

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corresponding to the problem being faced. For example, if a person is dealing with a life-dominatingprobleminanger,thatpersonneedstomeditateonScripturesthatdealwithangeranditsresults.Ashisorherconscienceisre-activated,itwillreleasetheGodlysorrowneededtotrulyrepent(turnfrom)thesesinfuldeeplyseatedpatterns.

Repent,then,andturntoGod,sothatyoursinsmaybewipedout,thattimesofrefreshingmaycomefromtheLord.(Acts3:19)

Theprocessabovewillalsostimulateneuralactivityandgrowthintherightsideofthebrain.ThisisimportantbecausemostofourembodiedemotionalexperienceofGodisguidedbythispartofourbrain.[Neurologically-effectivemeditationtechniquescanbefoundinWorksheet1,“ActivatingTheConscience,”attheendofthisdocument.]ACTIVATIONOFTHENEWNATURE—OneofthegreatestgiftswereceivefromGodisournewnature:

Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,thenewcreationhascome:Theoldhasgone,thenewishere!(2Corinthians5:17)

Essentially, themomentahuman isbornagain,hisorher spirit is reunitedwith theSpiritofGod,andhisorherwholebeingcomesunderthepowerfulinfluenceofGod’sSpiritandlife.

AndiftheSpiritofHimwhoraisedJesusfromthedeadislivinginyou,HewhoraisedChristfromthedeadwillalsogivelifetoyourmortalbodiesbecauseofHis

Spiritwholivesinyou.(Romans8:11)

SeveralScripturalmetaphorsareusedtodescribehowwereceivethelifeofGodthroughournew nature: among them areabiding in the vine,drinking livingwaters, and feeding on thebread of heaven.Anotherway to understand the dynamics of our new nature can be takenfromtheworldofelectricalpower.Themomentwewere“bornagain,”wewerepluggedintothepoweroftheGodhead.Thepowersourceisfullyavailable,butitmustbeturned“on”bythrowingthebreakerorflippingtheswitch.Spirituallyspeaking,nomatterwhichmetaphoryouchoose,drinking,feeding,abiding,or“flippingtheswitch,”therealityisthesame.Ifwedonotpracticethespiritualdisciplines,wewillnotexperiencetheconstantflowofGod’spowerinourlives. This divine power plays an essential role in the transformation of stubborn neuralpatternsbecauseofitsextraordinaryeffectsonourbrainandmindaswellasitsabilitytobreaksin’spower.The spiritual disciplines are also important because their practice releases manyneurotransmitters that regulate our pain, pleasure, and reward systems. Among theseneurotransmitters are oxytocin, endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. The release ofneurotransmittersthroughthespiritualdisciplinesisimportant,becauseitcanreplacethelossofpleasureprovidedby thehabitualproblempatterns. [Meditative techniques tohelp form

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new neural patterns can be found in Worksheet 2, “Activating The New Nature—SacredSpace,”canbefoundattheendofthisdocument.]ACCOUNTABILITY—InJames5:16andEphesians4:15wefindsomeofthepowerfulbenefitsofpersonalaccountabilityandtransparency:

Thereforeconfessyoursinstoeachotherandprayforeachothersothatyoumaybehealed.Theprayerofarighteouspersonispowerfulandeffective.

(James5:16)

Instead,speakingthetruthinlove,wewillgrowtobecomeineveryrespectthematurebodyofHimwhoisthehead,thatis,Christ.(Ephesians4:15)

Mildtomoderatestresscanplayanessentialroleintriggeringneuralplasticity(LouisCozolino–TheNeuroscienceofPsychotherapy).ThisisoneofthereasonsthatspeakingthetruthinloveandBiblicalreconciliation(especially inthecontextofspiritualfamilyanddiscipleship)canbesopowerful.Ihavealsodiscoveredthatthebattlesinvolvedwithtransformingastubbornhabitpatternarealmostimpossibletowinalone.WhetheritisaChristianpeer,pastor,discipler,orcounselor, the encouragement, insight, perspective and accountability provided by anotherhumanisessentialtothisprocess.Accountabilitymustbevoluntary.Neverassumethatthepersonyouareministeringtowantsto be held accountable by you. You simply need to explain how important it is for anotherhumantowalkthroughthisprocesswiththem.Offertoservetheminthisimportantaspectoftransformation.ALTERATION—InEphesians4:22-28,Pauldescribestheprocessinvolvedintransformingeventhemoststubbornandresistanthabitpatterns:

Youweretaught,withregardtoyourformerwayoflife,toputoffyouroldself,whichisbeingcorruptedbyitsdeceitfuldesires;tobemadenewintheattitudeof your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in truerighteousness and holiness. Therefore each of youmust put off falsehood andspeaktruthfullytoyourneighbor, forweareallmembersofonebody.“Inyourangerdonotsin”:Donot letthesungodownwhileyouarestillangry,anddonotgivethedevilafoothold.Anyonewhohasbeenstealingmuststealnolonger,butmustwork,doingsomethingusefulwiththeirownhands,thattheymayhavesomethingtosharewiththoseinneed.(Ephesians4:22-28)

Thepassageaboveisnotjustspirituallysound;itisgreatneuroscience!Ultimately,ourneuralpatterns will be renewed through Biblical meditation, life experiences, and the behavioralchangesinvolvedindevelopingnewneuralpatterns.ThatiswhyPaulsaysinverse28,itisnotenoughtosimplystopstealing;youmustgetajobsothatyoucansharewithothersinneed.Ihavediscovered thatoncewehave repented,weneed to focuson thedevelopmentofnewpatternstoreplaceoldones.OneoftheScripturesessentialtothisprocess is inHebrews12:

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Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms andweak knees. “Make level paths for your feet” sothatthelamemaynotbedisabled,butratherhealed.(Hebrews12:12-13)Intheoriginallanguage,thewords“makelevelpaths”mean“tomakeanuprightwheelpathortrack.”Theword“wheelpath”alsoconnotes“arut.”Inotherwords,thepathhasbeencutoutthrough constant use. Basically, those areas of weakness and struggle in our lives will onlyworsen ifwedonot changeour behavioral pathways.Neurologically, this is crucial, becausenewbehavioralpathwayscreatenewneuralpathwaysovertime.Despitethearduousnatureofthis process, there is no pattern that cannot be transformed through God’s power, afunctioning conscience, theWord of God, the help of our brothers and sisters, pastors, andcounselors. [Worksheet 3, “PuttingOff andPuttingOn,” help for long-termbehavioral andneuraltransformation,canbefoundattheendofthisdocument.]

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SECTIONTWO:DEALINGWITHCURSES

Typically,whenIamconfrontingastrongholdinthelifeofanindividual,thefirstthingIlookforis what the Bible calls a “curse.” The Google definition of a curse is “a solemn utteranceintended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone orsomething.”IntheOldTestament,thewordcursemeans“toinvokeharmorinjurybymeansofa statement, bymeans of the power of a deity.”1 In the New Testament, theword curse—katára—isderivedfromkatarásthai,whichmeans“toenchant;”katárameans“curse.”Cursesarefoundinalmostallreligioushistory; inthiscontext,theyareutterancesdesignedtobringharm by supernatural operation.2 Derek Prince, a noted Bible teacher and Greek scholar,definedcursesasfollows:

“…Wordsspoken,withsomeformofspiritualauthority(eithergoodorevil),thatsetinmotionsomethingthatwillgoongenerationaftergeneration.Behindthewordsisaspiritualpower,GodorSatan.”3

In the Western World, where cursing someone means to cuss them out, the classicalunderstandingof cursing someonehas seeminglybeen lost. I say seemingly, becausewhen IsearchedundercursesandhexesatAmazon, therewere455 results, including itemssuchasamulets, charms, voodoo dolls and books of spells. In other parts of the world, however,cursingandhexingstillaffectthelivesofuntoldmillions.Nomatterhowyourcultureperceivescurses,Scriptureclearlyshowsthatcurseshavegreatpower.

TYPESOFCURSES

CONSEQUENTIAL—ThesecursesarebasicallytheconsequencesthatcomefrombreakingGod’slawthroughsinfulbehaviorandpatternsinourlives.

However,ifyoudonotobeytheLORDyourGodanddonotcarefullyfollowallHiscommandsanddecreesIamgivingyoutoday,allthesecurseswillcomeuponyouandovertakeyou:Youwillbecursedinthecityandcursedinthecountry.

Yourbasketandyourkneadingtroughwillbecursed.Thefruitofyourwombwillbecursed,andthecropsofyourland,andthecalvesofyourherdsandthelambs

1Swanson,J.DictionaryofBiblicalLanguageswithSemanticDomains:Hebrew(OldTestament).OakHarbor:LogosResearchSystems,Inc.,1997.Electronic.2Kittel,G.,Friedrich,G.,&Bromiley,G.W.TheologicalDictionaryoftheNewTestament.GrandRapids,Michigan:W.B.Eerdmans,1985.75.Print.3Prince,Derek.BlessingorCurse:YouCanChoose—FreedomfromPressuresYouThoughtYouHadtoLivewith.GrandRapids,Michigan:ChosenBooks,2006.Print.

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ofyourflocks.Youwillbecursedwhenyoucomeinandcursedwhenyougoout.(Deuteronomy28:15-19)

Whenmentellyoutoconsultmediumsandspiritists,whowhisperandmutter,shouldnotapeopleinquireoftheirGod?Whyconsultthedeadonbehalfoftheliving?Tothelawandtothetestimony!Iftheydonotspeakaccordingtothis

word,theyhavenolightofdawn.Distressedandhungry,theywillroamthroughtheland;whentheyarefamished,theywillbecomeenragedand,looking

upward,willcursetheirkingandtheirGod.Thentheywilllooktowardtheearthandseeonlydistressanddarknessandfearfulgloom,andtheywillbethrustinto

utterdarkness.(Isaiah8:19-22)

SPOKEN—These typesof cursescanoperate throughwhatwe thinkandsayaboutourselves(i.e., “Iwill never change”). Spokencurses canalso come throughwhatothers say tousandabout us (i.e., “You’ll never amount to anything”). I have discovered that the power of aperson’swordsinthelifeofanotherisdirectlyrelatedtotheirplaceinthatperson’slife.That’swhy the words of parents, spouses, siblings, friends, teachers, coaches,mentors, employersandpastorshavesomuchpower.Thistypeofcursecanalsobeactivatedinourlivesthroughculturalmessagesreceivedthroughallformsofmedia.SELF-CURSES—Many people curse themselves without thinking, simply through theirunsanctifiedthoughtprocessesandself-talk.

Allthepeopleanswered,“LetHisbloodbeonusandonourchildren!"(Matthew27:25)

VOWS—These curses are oftenmade out of anger and great pain. Examples include: “I willnevertrustagain.”“Iwillneverhavechildren.”“Iwillneverbelikemymother.”CURSESSPOKENBYOTHERS—Asseenabove,thesetypesofcursesareespeciallydamaging.

WhenNoahawokefromhiswineandfoundoutwhathisyoungestsonhaddonetohim,hesaid,“CursedbeCanaan!Thelowestofslaveswillhebetohis

brothers."(Genesis9:24-25)

Thepowerofnegativewords,self-talkandthenegativeemotionsproducedbythesepatternsiswell documented in science as well. Dr. Barbara Fredrickson is one of the pioneers of thePositive PsychologyMovement. She commentson thedestructivepowerof negativity in herbookentitledPositivity:TopNotchResearchRevealstheUpwardSpiralThatWillChangeYourLife.

“Weallknownegativity; it loomslargeandiseasytospot.Negativitypervadesyour self-talkandyour judgments. Itbleeds intoyourexchangeswithyourkidsand your colleagues, eroding goodwill between you. Making matters worse,

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unchecked negativity breeds health damaging negative emotions— anger,contempt, anddepression— that seep into your entirebody. You can feel yoursimmeringbitternesseatingawayatyourstomach,raisingyourbloodpressure,andturningyourshoulderandneckmusclestostone.Evenyourfacefeelshardand tight,whichmay bewhy others steer clear if they can.What’smore, youmove through your day as if you have blinders on. You find fault and blameeverywhere.Youseenosolutions.Everything ispainfullypredictable.Negativitycomesonfastandstrong,hittinglikeasledgehammer.Andnoneofusisimmunetoit.”4

Ontheotherhand,thebenefitsofthesepositiveemotions(andthoughtpatternsthatproducethem)areastonishing.Dr.Fredricksonbeautifullydescribesthesebenefitsinherbookaswell:

“This isn’t just a matter of perception. Positivity is now linked to solid andobjective biologicalmarkers of health. For instance, people’s positivity predictslower levelsofstress-relatedhormonesandhigher levelsofgrowth-relatedandbond-related hormones. Positivity also sends out more dopamine and opioids,enhancesimmunesystemfunctioning,anddiminishesinflammatoryresponsestostress.With positivity you are literally steeped in a different biochemical stew.Perhapsit’snotsurprising,then,thatpositivitybringslowerbloodpressure,lesspain, fewer colds, and better sleep. People high on positivity also have lowerdisease risks. They are less likely to have hypertension, diabetes, or a stroke.Scientistshavealreadyconfirmedthatpositivitypredictslongerlives.Uncoveringhappens.”5

Thenegativityproducedbyourwordsandself-talkcanevenaffecttheprocessofcellrenewal.Dr.Fredrickson’scommentsonthisinteractionarebelow:

“The pace of cell renewal varies by body part. Your taste buds live only a fewhours. Yourwhite blood cells live about ten days. Yourmuscle cells live aboutthree months. Even your bones are made anew time and again. Consideringthesedifferences,scientistshavesuggestedthatyoureplaceabout1percentofyour cells each day. That’s 1 percent today, another 1 percent tomorrow,amountingtoroughly30percentbynextmonth,and100percentbynextseason.Seeingyourselfandyour cells in thisway,every threemonthsyougetawholenewyou.Perhapsit’snocoincidencethatittakesaroundthreemonthstolearnanew habit ormake a lifestyle change. Perhapswe can’t teach an old cell newtricks.Perhapsourbesthopeliesinteachingournewcells.Atonetimescientiststhought that your brain cells were different, that they didn’t change. Perhapstheyevenorchestratedthecycleofcelldeathandrebirthelsewhereinyourbody.

4Frederickson,Barbara.Positivity:TopNotchResearchRevealstheUpwardSpiralThatWillChangeYourLife.NewYork:HudsonStreetPress,2013.15-16.Electronic.5Frederickson,Positivity:228-229.

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Notso.Evenkeybraincellswitherawayandare reborn.Everypartofyoucanchange,andyourbrainisnoexception.Morefascinatingstillisthediscoverythatthe pace of cell renewal doesn’t simply follow some predetermined script. Itvariesdependingonwhatyoudoandhowyoufeel.Akeysignalthattellsyourcellswhethertodecayorgrow,for instance, ismovement.Asedentary lifestylehastenscelldecay.Anactive lifestylehastenscell renewal.This is true forbothyourbodyandyourbrain.Youremotionsarethoughttobeanotherkeysignal.Negativity prompts cell decay. Positivity prompts cell growth. At a very basicbiologicallevel,then,positivityislife-giving.”6

CURSINGOTHERS—WhenweviolateGod’slawbycursingothers,therecanbeseriousconsequences.

WiththetonguewepraiseourLordandFather,andwithitwecursemen,whohavebeenmadeinGod'slikeness.Outofthesamemouthcomepraiseand

cursing.Mybrothers,thisshouldnotbe.(James3:9-10)Helovedtopronounceacurse—mayitcomeonhim;hefoundnopleasurein

blessing;mayitbefarfromhim.Heworecursingashisgarment;itenteredintohisbodylikewater,intohisboneslikeoil.Mayitbelikeacloakwrappedabout

him,likeabelttied foreveraroundhim.(Psalm109:17-19)

GENERATIONAL—This curse is passed fromparent to child. It is clear in Scripture that thesecurses can affect a family for up to four generations. In otherwords, the sin problems of ahumanhavethepotentialtoaffectthewell-beingoftheirgreat-great-grandchildren.Althoughsome choose to classify this form of curse as a “sin of the fathers” or as a “generationalstronghold,” the reality is the same. Children are affected by the sin of their great-great-grandparents,great-grandparents,grandparents,andparents.Thetransmissionofthesecurses(or spiritualproclivities) can takeplace throughmodeling,environment,andDNA. I sayDNA,becausewehavelearnedthroughthestudyofepigeneticsthatthegenetictemplategenotypecan be radically affected by life experiences. Therefore, our veryDNA can be altered by thesinfulbehaviorofourancestors.

Youshallnotbowdowntothemorworshipthem;forI,theLORDyourGod,amajealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third andfourthgenerationofthosewhohateMe,…(Exodus20:5)...maintaininglovetothousands,andforgivingwickedness,rebellionandsin.YetHe does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and theirchildren for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (Exodus34:7)

6Frederickson,Positivity:181-182.

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TheScripturesabovedonotcontradictotherpassagesregardingthesecurses:

“Parentarenottobeputtodeathfortheirchildren,norchildrenputtodeathfortheirparents;eachwilldiefortheirownsin.”(Deuteronomy24:16)[ItisclearinScripture,however,thatweareaffectedbythesinsofourancestors.]Thoseofyouwhoareleftwillwasteawayinthelandsoftheirenemiesbecauseoftheirsins;alsobecauseoftheirancestors’sinstheywillwasteaway.(Leviticus26:39)“See,itstandswrittenbeforeMe:Iwillnotkeepsilentbutwillpaybackinfull;Iwill pay it back into their laps—bothyour sinsand the sinsof yourancestors,”saystheLord.“BecausetheyburnedsacrificesonthemountainsanddefiedMeonthehills,Iwillmeasureintotheirlapsthefullpaymentfortheirformerdeeds.”(Isaiah65:6-7)Ilookedagain—andtherebeforemewasaflyingscroll!Heaskedme,“Whatdoyousee?”Ianswered,“Iseeaflyingscroll,thirtyfeetlongandfifteenfeetwide.”AndHesaidtome,“This is thecursethat isgoingoutoverthewhole land; foraccordingtowhatitsaysononeside,everythiefwillbebanished,andaccordingtowhatitsaysontheother,everyonewhoswearsfalselywillbebanished.”TheLORDAlmightydeclares,“Iwillsenditout,anditwillenterthehouseofthethiefandthehouseofhimwhoswearsfalselybyMyname.Itwillremaininhishouseanddestroyit,bothitstimbersanditsstones.”(Zechariah5:1-4)

Inthispassage,thescrollrepresentstheLawofGodandthecursesthatresultfromnotobeying its precepts. Verse 3 says that every thief andoath breakerwill be banished(cleansed) from the land. Furthermore, the curse’s effects don’t stop with theperpetrators.Verse4statesthatthecursewillenterthehousesoftheperpetratorsanddestroythem.Thephrase“enterthehouse”intheHebrewhasconnotationsofinvitingsomeonetospendthenight.Itisalsoapparentfromthispassagethatthecursefallingontheperpetratorshadterribleconsequencesfortheirfamiliesaswell.

Foryouknowthatitwasnotwithperishablethingssuchassilverorgoldthatyouwere redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from yourancestors,…(1Peter1:18)

TACTICSOFBREAKINGCURSES

DISCERN—Discernthetypeofcurseyouarebreaking.ThiscanbedonethroughthegiftsoftheSpiritorthroughaseriesofspecificquestions.Whenitcomestoquestioning,itiscriticalthatyouinquireaboutfamilyhistory,especiallyasitpertainstotheproblembeingdiscussed.

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DIAGNOSE—Diagnoseany sinpatternor response thatallowed the curse to take root in thehumansoul.

Likeaflutteringsparroworadartingswallow,anundeservedcursedoesnotcometorest.(Proverbs26:2)

BREAKTHECURSE

REPENT—Itiscriticalthatthepersonbeingprayedforrepentsofanysinorpatternthathasmadethemcomplicitwiththecurse.

RENOUNCE—They must verbally renounce any form of curse, whether it is consequential,spoken, self-engendered, or generational. Where another person has cursed them, it isessentialthattheybothforgiveandblessthepersonwhohascursedthem(Luke6:28).REMOVE—Before removinga curse, it is imperative thatyouestablisha theologicalbasis fordeliverance.AccordingtoGalatians3:13,ChristredeemedusfromcursesbybecomingacurseforusatCalvary.[Ifthecurseisspokenorgenerational,therecipientneedstoforgiveandblessthepersonorpeoplewhospokecursesoverthemorpassedcursesontothem.]LEADINGTHEPERSONINPRAYER–Whenitcomestoprayer,herearesomeexamplestoguideyou:

Jesus, I repent of the sin or sins connected with the curse of________________ that allowed this to take root inme.Basedon theworkYoudidontheCross,Irenounceitandaskyoutobreakitovermylife.

SPOKENCURSES:

Jesus,Iforgive______________(Nameofperson)forcursingme,andIchoosetoblessthem.Rightnow,Iaskyoutobreakthecurseof______________(Liethatwasspoken)whichtheyspokeoverme.

GENERATIONALCURSES:

Jesus,Irenouncethesegenerationalcursesthatcomefrommy_____________(mother’s/father’s) side of the family. I forgive __________ (Name of familymembers) for passing this curse down to me, and I choose to bless them. Irenounce the effects of these curses onmy family line and those that comeafterme.

KEY:Whenyouprayforthecursetobebroken,rememberthatitisnotaboutthevolumeorcomplexityof your prayers. Neither is itmagic, so it’s not about getting thewordsof theprayerexactlyright.BasedontheauthorityyouhaveinChristandHisworkonthecross,you

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haveauthorityoverthecurseorcursesthatareaffectingtheirlife.

RENEW—We know from Romans 12:2 that we can be transformed by the renewing of ourminds.Whenitcomestodealingwiththedamagecreatedbytoxicself/talkandverbalcursing,the blessings of God are a powerful antidote.Whereas a person’s unrighteous behavior canaffect theirprogeny for fourgenerations, righteousnesscan release the loveandblessingsofGodtoathousandgenerations.AsChristians,Godhasgivenusincredibleblessings:

“Scripture foresawthatGodwould justify theGentilesby faith,andannouncedthegospel inadvancetoAbraham: ‘Allnationswillbeblessedthroughyou.’Sothose who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”(Galatians3:8-9)“Iwillmakeyouintoagreatnation,andIwillblessyou;Iwillmakeyournamegreat,andyouwillbeablessing.Iwillblessthosewhoblessyou,andwhoevercurses you Iwill curse; and all peoples on earthwill be blessed through you.”(Genesis12:2-3)

WehavealsoreceivedextraordinaryspiritualblessingsthroughChrist:

“PraisebetotheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whohasblessedusintheheavenlyrealmswitheveryspiritualblessinginChrist.”(Ephesians1:3)

[Worksheet4,“ReleasingtheBlessing,”canbefoundattheendofthisdocument.]LAYINGONOFHANDS—Itypicallyplacemyhandsontheperson’sheadasIamministeringtothem; this is not simply a matter of tradition or choice. I am convinced that one of thefoundationaldoctrinesoftheChristianfaith–“thelayingonofhands”foundinHebrews6:2—isoneof thekeys toreleasingGod’spower.Note:This isnot tosay thatapersoncannotbedeliveredfromacursewithoutthelayingonofhands.

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SECTIONTHREE:DEALINGWITHTRAUMA

Healing damaged emotions (or inner healing) is the process throughwhichGod releasesHishealingpowerintothetraumasofaperson’ssoul.Thistypeofhealingcanbeconsideredthebalm or medicinal ointment of God for the wounded soul, whether the trauma came fromrejection,abuseorneglect.InnerhealingcanalsobeusedbyGodtohealthewoundsofmajortraumasresultingfromwar,naturaldisasters,violentassault,rape,andphysical/sexualabuse.Dr. Louis Cozolino gives a detailed definition of trauma in his book The Neuroscience ofPsychotherapy:

Trauma isnot limited to surviving life-threateningexperiences,as the standarddiagnosticmanualappearstosuggest(AmericanPsychiatricAssociation,2000).For a young child, traumamay be experienced in the form of separation fromparents,lookingintotheeyesofadepressedmother,orlivinginahighlystressedhousehold (Cogill, Caplan, Alexandra, Robson, & Kumar, 1986). For anadolescent,traumamaycomeintheformofincessantteasingbypeersorcaringforanalcoholicparent.Foranadult,chroniclonelinessorthelossofapetmaybetraumatic.There is increasingevidencethatstress ispossibleevenbeforebirth;anunbornchildmaybecomestressedasaresultofthesharedbiologicalenvironmentwithitsmother. Studies suggest thatmaternal stress is associatedwith lower birthweight, increased irritability, hyperactivity, and learning disabilities in children(Gunnar,1992,1998;Zuckerman,Buchner,Parker,&Cabral,1990).Ratsborntostressedmothers showmore clinging to themother anddecreased locomotionandenvironmentalexploration(Schneider,1992).Prenatalstressmayalsoresultinpermanentalterationsindopamineactivityandcerebrallateralization,makingoffspringmore susceptible to anxiety and impairing their functioning as adults(Fieldetal.,1988).ChildrenofHolocaustsurvivorshaveanincreasedprevalenceofPTSDdespitesimilarratesofexposuretotraumaticeventsaschildrenofnon-Holocaust survivors. This suggests that they experienced a transferredvulnerabilitythroughinteractionswiththeirtraumatizedparents(Yehuda,1999)…The effects of early and severe traumaare extremelywidespread, devastating,and difficult to treat. Because of the importance of a context of safety and

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bonding in the early construction of the brain, childhood trauma compromisescore neural networks. It stands to reason that the most devastating types oftrauma are those that occur at the hands of caretakers. Physical and sexualabusebyparentsnotonlytraumatizeschildren,butalsodeprivesthemofhealinginteractions and a safe haven. The wide range of effects involved in theadaptation toearlyunresolved traumaresults incomplexpost-traumaticstressdisorder.7

THEPROBLEMSINVOLVEDWITHHEALINGDAMAGEDEMOTIONS

VICTIMTHEOLOGY—HealingdamagedemotionscaneasilybecomeadangerouspracticewhenitisdivorcedfromtheBiblicalrealitiesofsinandrepentance.Eventhemostwoundedpersonhasachoiceastohowtheywillrespondtotheirpain.Intheend,aperson’sresponsetotheirpaincanbejustasimprisoningasthepainitself.SUPER-IMPOSED HYPOTHESIS—This is probably one of the greatest dangers intrinsic in theprocessofhealingdamagedemotions.Nomatterhowexperiencedyouareorhowkeenyourspiritual giftingmaybe, youmustexercise self-control anddiscretionwithwhat youdiscern,observeorseeaboutapersonandtheirwounding.Inotherwords,youmustbesensitivetothefactthatGod,inHisperfecttiming,willrevealwhatHeintendstoheal.Furthermore,InevertellanyonetowhomIamministeringwhatIhaveseenintheirpastunlessthey tellme first. Theviolationof thisprinciple canwreakhavoc inpeoples’ lives for severalreasons.First,ifwearewrong,weruntheriskofcreatingfalsememories.Second,evenifweare right, it may not be the timing of God to reveal this painful incident. Because healingdamagedemotionsnormallyinvolvesmemories(oftensuppressedmemories),greatsensitivityisneeded.Itisclearthroughtheresearchthathasbeendonesurroundingthecreationoffalsememoriesthatourmemoriesarefarmorefallibleandmalleablethanweimagine.OneofthefinestexplanationsIhaveeverreadonmemoryisfoundintheprefaceofDanAllender’sbook,WoundedHeart,entitled“AQuestionofMemory.”VISUALIZATION— Anotherareaofcontroversyinvolvesthepracticeofvisualization.Ephesians3:20 states, “God is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask, think, or imagine,accordingtoHispower.”AlthoughaskingGod(prayer)isthenormalwaywereceivefromHim,Hecanalsouseourimaginations.TherearemanyhistoricalChristianprecedentsfortheuseofimagination in prayer, as well as some evidences of its effectiveness from the world ofneuroscience.St. Francis ofAssisi imagined taking Jesusoff the cross, andTeresaofAvila imaginedherselfwithJesusinHisagonyintheGardenofGethsemane.SomeofthebestexamplesoftheuseofimaginationcanbefoundinSt.IgnatiusofLoyola’sfamedSpiritualExercises.DavidL.Fleming7Cozolino,Louis.TheNeuroscienceofPsychotherapy,2nded.NewYork:W.W.Norton&Company,2010.267-268.Print.

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SJ, author of the bookPrayer is a Conservation, describes the use of imagination in Ignatiancontemplativepracticesinanarticleentitled,“WhatisIgnatianSpirituality?”Inthisarticle,hecitesanexampleoftheuseofimaginationfromthesecondweek(stage)ofthefamedSpiritualExercises.

Thebest-knownexampleofthisuseoftheimaginationintheSpiritualExercisesisthecontemplationonJesus’birthinthesecondweek.Ignatiussuggeststhatweimagine “the labors of the journey to Bethlehem, the struggles of finding ashelter, the poverty, the thirst, the hunger, the cold, the insults thatmeet thearrival ofGod-with-us.” In the course of the Exercises, Ignatius proposesmanysuchscenesfromtheGospelsforimaginativecontemplation.HechoosesscenesofJesusactingratherthanJesusteachingortellingparables.HewantsustoseeJesusinteractingwithothers,Jesusmakingdecisions,Jesusmovingabout,Jesusministering.Hedoesn’twantustothinkaboutJesus.Hewantsustoexperiencehim.HewantsJesustofilloursenses.Hewantsustomeethim.8

Recent developments from the world of neuroscience clearly reveal the powerful effects ofimagination, thinking and meditation on our brains. Dr. Norman Doidge discusses theimaginationinhisbest-sellingbookTheBrainthatChangesItself.Inchapter8,“Imagination—HowThinkingMakes It So,”hemakes apowerful statement and then cites the resultsof anexperimentasevidence:

One reason we can change our brains simply by imagining is that, from aneuroscientificpointofview,imagininganactanddoingitarenotasdifferentastheysound.Whenpeopleclosetheireyesandvisualizeasimpleobject,suchasthe letter a, the primary visual cortex lights up, just as itwould if the subjectswere actually looking at the letter a. Brain scans show that in action andimagination many of the same parts of the brain are activated. That is whyvisualizingcanimproveperformance.Inanexperimentthatisashardtobelieveasitissimple,Drs.GuangYueandKellyColeshowedthatimaginingoneisusingone’smuscles actually strengthens them. The study looked at twogroups, onethat did physical exercise and one that imagined doing exercise. Both groupsexerciseda fingermuscle,MondaythroughFriday, for fourweeks.Thephysicalgroup did trials of fifteen maximal contractions, with a twenty-second restbetween each. The mental group merely imagined doing fifteen maximalcontractions, with a twenty-second rest between each, while also imagining avoice shoutingat them, “Harder!Harder!Harder!”At theendof the study thesubjectswhohaddonephysicalexerciseincreasedtheirmuscularstrengthby30percent,asonemightexpect. Thosewhoonly imagineddoing theexercise, forthesameperiod,increasedtheirmusclestrengthby22percent.Theexplanation

8Fleming,DavidL,SJ.“WhatisIgnatianSpirituality?”www.Ignatianspirituality.com.Electronic.(MoreexamplesofIgnatianimaginativecontemplationscanbefoundattheUniversityofCreightonOnlineMinistrieshomepage.)

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liesinthemotorneuronsofthebrainthat“program”movements.Duringtheseimaginarycontractions,theneuronsresponsibleforstringingtogethersequencesof instructions for movements are activated and strengthened, resulting inincreasedstrengthwhenthemusclesarecontracted.9

IhaveseenGodusethepowerofpeople’simaginationintwoways;first,itcanbehelpfulforthepersonwhohasbeenwoundedtovisualizeor imaginethepersonthathashurtthem,asthey describe how they havebeenhurt and commit to forgive this person. This is especiallyimportantwhentheyareunabletophysicallymeetwiththepersonwhohashurtthembecauseof death, danger, or trauma. I have also discovered that remembering and imagining theirperpetrator’s faceas they forgivethemcanbringadeepemotional release.Manytimes, thisvisualized confrontation leads to a letter, phone call or face-to-face conversation. In somecases,however,noneoftheseoptionsareappropriateoravailable.

Second,itcanbealsoveryeffectivetohavethewoundedpersontowhomyouareministeringvisualize,orimagine,Jesushealingthemduringtheirpainfulmemory.Negativelifeexperiencesthateitherwererecurrent(e.g.,aseriesofrelateddisappointments)orwereextremelysevere(e.g.,a traumaticexperience)createdeeply imbeddedneuralpatterns.Theseneuralpatternsalso involve the release of neural chemicals. The release of the neural chemicals associatedwith these early traumas can be experienced for the rest of a person’s life whenever theyexperience similar situations.Whenwe introduceChrist inaperson’s traumaticmemory,weare stimulating the growth of newneural patterns and the release of the positive chemicalsassociatedwiththevisualization/memoryofChristhealingthem.

THEPRESUPPOSITIONSOFHEALINGDAMAGEDEMOTIONS

Althoughthemethodologiesinvolvedaretypicallymoresubjective,thereisnodoubtabouttheBiblicalvalidityofGod’spowertohealthedamagedsoul.

Hehealsthebrokenheartedandbindsuptheirwounds.(Psalm147:3)

TheSpiritoftheSovereignLORDisonme,becausetheLORDhasanointedmetopreachgoodnewstothepoor.Hehassentmetobindupthebrokenhearted,toproclaimfreedomforthecaptivesandreleasefromdarknessfortheprisoners.

(Isaiah61:1)

TheLORDisclosetothebrokenheartedandsavesthosewhoarecrushedinspirit.(Psalm34:18)

SurelyHetookupourinfirmitiesandcarriedoursorrows,yetweconsideredHim

strickenbyGod,smittenbyHim,andafflicted.(Isaiah53:4)

9Doidge,Norman.TheBrainthatChangesItself:RemarkableDiscoveriesandRecoveriesfromtheFrontiersofNeuroplasticity.NewYork,NewYork:PenguinBooks,2015.385-386.Print.

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HEALING POWER—Healing damaged emotions is more than just a method or a series ofprinciples. At its essence, it entails the release of God’s healing power. According to 1Corinthians12:9, thereare“giftsofhealing.” Inotherwords, there ismore thanone typeofhealing gift. I have found people in the Body of Christ who have been gifted to specificallyreleaseGod’shealingpowerintothedamagedheartsofpeople.OtherscanseeGod’shealingpowerreleasedtohealthephysicalbody.Neverforget,evenifaChristiandoesnothaveoneofthegiftsofhealing,GodcanstillhealthroughthembecausetheHolySpiritresidesinthem.Asour High Priest, Jesus Christ has a full understanding of our suffering and pain because HeHimselfwasrejected,accusedandabused:

HegrewupbeforeHimlikeatendershoot,andlikearootoutofdryground.HehadnobeautyormajestytoattractustoHim,nothinginHisappearancethatweshoulddesireHim.Hewasdespisedandrejectedbymen,amanofsorrows,andfamiliar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces He wasdespised,andweesteemedHimnot.(Isaiah53:2-3)

Therefore,sincewehaveagreathighpriestwhohasgonethroughtheheavens,Jesus the SonofGod, let us hold firmly to the faithweprofess. Forwedonothaveahighpriestwhoisunabletosympathizewithourweaknesses,butwehaveonewhohasbeentemptedineveryway,justasweare—yetwaswithoutsin.Letus thenapproach the throneofgracewith confidence, so thatwemay receivemercyandfindgracetohelpusinourtimeofneed.(Hebrews4:14-16)

POWER FOR SORROWS—Christ bore our sorrows andwounds just as He bore our sins andsicknesses.

SurelyHetookupourinfirmitiesandcarriedoursorrows,yetweconsideredHimstrickenbyGod,smittenbyHim,andafflicted.(Isaiah53:4)

POWER FOR WOUNDS—The Holy Spirit has the power to remind and to reveal the deepwounds and traumas in the human soul.He can reveal thesewounds by bringing them to aperson’sconsciousmemory:

ButtheCounselor,theHolySpirit,whomtheFatherwillsendinMyname,willteachyouallthingsandwillremindyouofeverythingIhavesaidtoyou.

(John14:26)

TheycanalsoberevealedthroughthegiftsoftheHolySpirit:

Toonethere isgiventhroughtheSpiritthemessageofwisdom,toanotherthemessageofknowledgebymeansofthesameSpirit,toanotherfaithbythesameSpirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculouspowers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to

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another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another theinterpretationoftongues.(1Corinthians12:8-10)

POWER FOR BROKEN HEARTS—The Holy Spirit has the power to give every human a newheart.Withthisnewheartcomestheabilitytofeel,totrust,andtooperateinastateofbeingthatisfunctionallyhealthy.

Iwillgiveyouanewheartandputanewspiritinyou;Iwillremovefromyouyourheartofstoneandgiveyouaheartofflesh.(Ezekiel36:26)

ButthefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,

faithfulness...(Galatians5:22)

Loveispatient,loveiskind.Itdoesnotenvy,itdoesnotboast,itisnotproud.Itdoesnotdishonorothers,itisnotself-seeking,itisnoteasilyangered,itkeepsnorecord of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Italways protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (I Corinthians13:4-7)

THEPROCESSOFHEALINGDAMAGEDEMOTIONS

DEALWITHTHEWOUND—Dealwithanysinpatternthatispresentinaperson’slife.Whetheritisunrighteousanger,bitterness,resentment,hatred,orslander,thesesinsmustbeconfessedandrepentancemusttakeplace.This isessentialbecausemanypeoplearebeingtormented,boththroughtheirwoundsandthroughtheirresponsestotheirwounds.

Thenthemastercalledtheservantin.“Youwickedservant,”hesaid,“Icanceledallthedebtofyoursbecauseyoubeggedmeto.Shouldn'tyouhavehadmercyonyourfellowservantjustasIhadonyou?'Inangerhismasterturnedhimovertothe jailers tobe tortured,untilheshouldpaybackallheowed.This ishowmyheavenlyFatherwilltreateachofyouunlessyouforgiveyourbrotherfromyourheart."(Matthew18:32-35)

DISCUSSTHENEEDTOFORGIVE—Althoughcompleteforgivenesscanbeaverylongprocess,itisinitiatedbyanactofforgiveness,inwhichwedeclareourwillingnesstoforgivetheoffendingparty.Evenincaseswheretheoffendedpartyisdeadormeetingwiththemisnotpossible,theprocessofforgivenesscanstillbeinitiated.Itisatthispointthatvisualizingtheoffendercanbehelpful.Thereare times,however,whenmeetingwithanoffendermaynotbepossible.Thiscanbe thecasewheneither theoffendedor theoffender isnot inaplacewhereameetingwouldbeproductive,ortheoffenderisnolongerliving.OneofthemostimportantpassagesofScriptureaboutforgivenessisMatthew18:21-22.

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“ThenPetercametoJesusandasked,‘Lord,howmanytimesshallIforgivemybrotherorsisterwhosinsagainstme?Uptoseventimes?’Jesusanswered,‘Itell

you,notseventimes,butseventy-seventimes.’”(Matthew18:21-22)InthecontextofMatthew18,theunlimitedforgivenessrequired(77times)probablyreferstoapersonwhocontinuestosinagainstanotherperson,but I thinktheprinciple isstilldirectlyapplicabletoourdiscussiononforgivenessasaprocess.Therecanbecountlessoffensestobeforgiven in some traumaticnarratives, sometimesmultiple incidents, eachwith itsowndeepviolation and terrifying consequences. When this is the case, it takes multiple cycles offorgiveness to truly grant it and experience it. There are neurobiological realities atwork inthesesituationsaswell.Asthevictimizedpersonembracesthemultiplecyclesof forgivenessrequired,theoldneuralpatterns,whicharetheunderpinningoftheirunforgiveness,arebeingpruned,andnewneuralpatternsarebeingdeveloped.DEALWITH THEIR ANGER—Anger is often misunderstood in healing. Not only is anger notalways sinful, I am convinced that it sometimes plays a legitimate role in healing damagedemotions in the human soul. Let me first say that anger becomes sinful when it results inresentment, bitterness, slander, gossip and any form of verbal or physical abuse. However,angercanservethreeveryimportantpurposes:

• Angercanbeusedasanindicatorofthedepthofpaininthesoul.• Angercanbeasignthatapersonisnolongerindenial.• Angercanbetransformedintotheveryzealnecessaryfortrue

confrontationandchange.

ForoutofJerusalemwillcomearemnant,andoutofMountZionabandofsurvivors.ThezealoftheLORDAlmightywillaccomplishthis.(Isaiah37:32)

HeputonrighteousnessasHisbreastplate,andthehelmetofsalvationonHishead;HeputonthegarmentsofvengeanceandwrappedHimselfinzealasina

cloak.”(Is.59:17)

...forzealforYourhouseconsumesme,andtheinsultsofthosewhoinsultYoufallonme.(Psalm69:9)

DISCUSSGOD’SPOWERANDWILLINGNESSTOHEALDiscuss Jesus’ ability to relate and empathize with them; it will give them confidence toapproachGodwiththeirpain.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with ourweaknesses, butwehaveonewhohasbeen tempted in everyway, just asweare— yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with

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confidence,sothatwemayreceivemercyandfindgracetohelpusinourtimeofneed.(Heb.4:15-16)

FACILITATETHEHEALING

• Have thepersonask theHolySpirit to clarify the traumaticmemory thatneeds tobe

healed.• LayhandsonthemandasktheHolySpirittohealthem.Thisiswhenitcanbehelpfulto

have theperson invite Jesus in toheal them.At times, theymayneed to initiate thisprocessbyvisualizingJesusthemselves.

• RemindthemthatGodcanrecreatetheirability to function inanemotionallyhealthymanner.

• Preparethemfor thepossibilityofnewareasofwoundingandpainbeingrevealed intheirsoulbytheHolySpirit.RemindthemthatJesuswillcontinuetohealthemasnewmemoriesarise.

[Worksheet5,“HealingTrauma,”willcontainpracticalexercisestostimulatethehealingoftrauma.Itisfoundattheendofthisdocument.]

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WORKSHEETONE:ACTIVATINGTHECONSCIENCEJimLaffoon(EveryNation);Dr.EdwardB.Davis(WheatonCollege)

ToeffectivelyapplyScripturetoyourconscience,itisimportantforyoutounderstandhowyoulearnbest (i.e., visual,auditory,kinesthetic, read/write).Toascertainyour learningstyle,youcansimplyaskthequestion,“Howhaveyoulearnedbestinthepast?”or,“HowhastheHolySpiritconvictedyouinthepast?”Dr.Davisdiscusseslearningstyles:

“VARK:(a)Visual(peoplewholearnbestwheninformationisdepictedvisually),(b) Auditory (peoplewho learn bestwhen information is heard or spoken), (c)Read/Write(peoplewholearnbestwheninformationisdisplayedinwords),and(d)Kinesthetic(peoplewholearnbestthroughexperienceandpractice;Fleming&Mills, 1992). In partneringwith theHoly Spirit in the process of conviction,consideradaptingyourministrytothepreferredlearningstyleofthepeoplewithwhomyouareworking.”

Letmegiveyousomepracticalexamplesofhowtoworkwitheachlearningstyleusingthesinofunforgiveness.

• Visual—Watch the movie Les Miserables. Draw a picture of what you see in yourimaginationafterreadingMatthew18:21-35;Ephesians4:32;Luke17:4;andMatthew6:14-15.

• Auditory—Read aloud Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:32; Luke 17:4; and Matthew6:14-15atleasttwicedaily.Whenreadingthesepassages,periodicallychangeboththecadence and the volume of your voice. Either record or have someone you respectrecordMatthew18:21-35,Ephesians4:32; Luke17:4; andMatthew6:14-15. Listen tothese Scripturesmorning and evening every day. Listen to a podcast that dealswithunforgiveness.Itcanbeasermon,aTEDtalk,oranyrelevantpodcast.

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• Read/Write—ReadMatthew18:21-35;Ephesians4:32;Luke17:4;andMatthew6:14-15everymorning and every evening.Write out one of the Scriptures every day. JournaldailywhattheHolySpiritisspeakingtoyoufromtheseScriptures.

• Kinesthetic—DrawapictureofthestoryfoundinMatthew18:21-35.Imaginethefaceofthepersonwhohashurtyou.Forgivethem.

Itisimportanttorememberthatregardlessyourlearningstyle,theWordofGodcanpowerfullyeffectyou!

“AllScriptureisGod-breathedandisusefulforteaching,rebuking,correctingandtraininginrighteousness,sothattheservantofGodmaybethoroughlyequippedforeverygoodwork.”(2Timothy3:16-17)

Onceyouhavediscoveredyourprimaryand secondary learning styles,practice theexercisescorresponding to these styles daily for seven days. You can rotate your learning styles onalternatedays, forgreatereffect.Scripturesforthisexercisecanbefound in“AppendixTwo:ScriptureVersesforHealing”—orinatopicalBibleorBibleconcordance.PRIMARYLEARNINGSTYLE:_____________________________________________________SECONDARYLEARNINGSTYLE:__________________________________________________PATTERNOFPAINORSINTOBEDEALTWITHNOW:________________________________SELECTEDSCRIPTURES:________________________________________________________SELECTEDMOVIE,PODCAST,TEDTALK?___________________________________________DESCRIBEYOURPROGRESS:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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WORKSHEETTWO:ACTIVATINGTHENEWNATURE—SACREDSPACE

Dr.EdwardB.Davis(WheatonCollege),JimLaffoon(EveryNation)

ThepowerandpromiseofmeditatingonGod'swordisseenthroughoutScripture:

“KeepthisBookoftheLawalwaysonyourlips;meditateonitdayandnight,sothatyoumaybecarefultodoeverythingwritteninit.Thenyouwillbe

prosperousandsuccessful.”(Joshua1:8)

“WhoevereatsMyfleshanddrinksMybloodremainsinMe,andIinthem.JustasthelivingFathersentMeandIlivebecauseoftheFather,sotheonewhofeedsonMewilllivebecauseofMe.Thisisthebreadthatcamedownfrom

heaven.Yourancestorsatemannaanddied,butwhoeverfeedsonthisbreadwillliveforever.”(John6:56-58)

“TheSpiritgiveslife;thefleshcountsfornothing.ThewordsIhavespokento

you—theyarefulloftheSpiritandlife.”(John6:63)

ThepowerofcontemplatingthegloryandbeautyofourGodthroughHiswordandSpiritisbeautifullydescribedin2Corinthians:

“Andweall,whowithunveiledfacescontemplatetheLord’sglory,arebeingtransformedintoHisimagewithever-increasingglory,whichcomesfromthe

Lord,whoistheSpirit.”(2Corinthians3:18) Iwant tohelpyou learnhow tomeditateonGod'sword inaway that isbothBiblicallyandneurobiologically sound. We will also discuss the neurological implications of worship andwaiting on the Lord. This is important, because we have learned through the field ofContemplative Neuroscience that the brain changes in response to mental practices likemeditation. Dr. Richard Davidson, one of the pioneers in this field, propounds thatneuroplasticity and epigenetics are foundational to our under-standing of the power ofcontemplativepractices.NEUROPLASTICITY—Ourbrains respond toexperience,andweallhave theability toactually

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change our brains through training. Neuroplasticity provides a conceptual framework forunderstandinghowmentalpracticesfeaturedincontemplativetraditionsoperateinthebrain.EPIGENETICS—Pictureall yourgeneswith littlevolumecontrols that range from low tohigh.WeareallbornwithDNA,buttheextenttowhichdifferentgenesturnonoroffisinfluencedbyourexperiences,environmentsandtraining.Geneticexpressionisdynamic,andepigeneticsexplores the regulation of these genetic “volume controls.” Dr. Davidson presented somepromisingpreliminaryevidencethatcontemplativepracticescanchangegeneexpression.The following three-stage exercise is a potentially transformative way for the Holy Spirit tospeaktoyou.Itisdesignedtohelpslowdownyourmind(gettingitoffautopilot)sothatyoucanmoreclearlylistentowhattheLordissayingtoyourheart.Spendatleast60minutesgoingthroughthesethreestages.

STAGE1:THEWORD

• Findaquietplacewhereyoucanbefreeofdistractions.

• Quietyourmind;thiscanbeachallenge.Ifyoudon'talreadyhaveaScriptureinmind,take several verydeepbreaths andask theHoly Spirit to lead you to thepassageHewantstospeaktoyou;oryoucansimplypickaScripturethatcorrespondstoaneedyouarecurrentlyfacing.Forthisexercise,wewilluseIsaiah61:1,3-4,7.

• ReadyourScripturealoudseveraltimes,slowly.Readitagain,slowlyanddeliberately,

withvaryinglevelsoffeeling,intonation,rhythmandemphasis.

• Next,writeouttheScripture,usingyournon-dominanthandandusingdifferent-coloredmarkers,pens,orcrayons.

• Then draw a picture around the Scripture, pictorially depicting what the Holy Spirit

seemstobespeakingtoyou.

[Wehavealsolearnedfromtheworldofarttherapythatcertaincolorsseemtoaffect human emotions. For example: Purple can stimulate creativity, but alightershadeofpurplecanresultinpeaceandserenity.Greenandbluetendtostimulate peace and calmness. Some suggest that blue also lowers bloodpressureanddecreasesrespiration.Orangeandyellow,ontheotherhand,canstimulate appetite. Red is associatedwith passion and intensity. The color redhasalsobeenassociatedwithanincreasedheartrateandadditionaladrenalinebeingpumpedintothebloodstream.10

10“ColorPsychology:ThePsychologicalEffectsofColors.”ArtTherapyBlog.ArtTherapy,n.d.Web.

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• Spend10minutesprayerfullyjournalingaboutwhattheHolySpiritisspeakingtoyou.

• DiscussthisexperiencewithaChristianfamilymember,friend,orleader.

• Repeatthisexercise3timesaweekfor2weeks.GothroughalltheScriptureseachweek.

RATIONALE FOR THIS EXERCISE—Most of our embodied, emotional experience of God isguided by brain activity in our right brain, which is very neurally connected to our body.Because“neuronsthatfiretogetherwiretogether”(Hebb,1949),tochangehowweexperienceGodatanembodied,emotional level,weneedtoSNAGtherightsideofthebrain(stimulateneuralactivityandgrowth).11InteractingwiththeScripturesinanoverlyintellectualwaytendstoonlySNAGtheleftsideofthebrain(whichisespeciallylogical,linear,andlinguistic),therebyjust bringing changes to our head knowledge of God. In contrast, interacting with theScriptures in thewaysdescribedabovecanbringaboutdeep-levelchanges inourembodied,emotional experience ofGod. This exercise is designed to strategically SNAG the right brain,therebydisentanglingus from“autopilot”andpositioningus tobetterhear theHolySpirit’stransformative,life-givingwordstoourheart.Concentrateonstage1,butyouarewelcometoaddstage2and3aswell.

STAGE2:WORSHIP

Praise,worship,andthanksgivingusherusintothepresenceoftheLord:

“WorshiptheLORDwithgladness;comebeforeHimwithjoyfulsongs.KnowthattheLORDisGod.ItisHewhomadeus,andweareHis;weareHispeople,thesheepofHispasture.EnterHisgateswiththanksgivingandHiscourtswith

praise;givethankstoHimandpraiseHisname.”(Psalm100:2-4)

• Verbally thankGod forhowHe spokewith youduring the first stageof this exercise.Also, express gratitude for any other recent blessings He has bestowed on you, yourfamily,yourfriends,oryourchurch.

• Then, slowly transition to verbally praisingGod simply forwho He is. In otherwords,

graduallyshiftfromthankingGodforwhatHehasdonetothankingGodforwhoHeis.Verbally praiseHim forHis loving-kindness,Hismercy,His goodness,His compassion,Hissteadfastness,Hispatience,andsoforth.

• Next, slowly shift to praising and worshipping God through song even if you don’t

consideryourselfmusicallygifted!Youcanplaysomeworshipmusicandsingalongwithit,oryoucansimplyworshipeitheracappella (without instruments)orbyplayingan

11Siegel,D.J.TheMindfulBrain:ReflectionandAttunementintheCultivationofWell-Being.NewYork,NY:Norton,2007.Print.

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instrument(ifyoudoso).WorshiptheLordinasemotionallyandphysicallyexpressivemannerasyouarecomfortabledoing.Infact,trytopushyourselftoworshipinevenabitmore emotionally and physically expressivemanner than you typically do—raisingyour hands, clapping, dancing, and so forth. Again, try these physical expressions ofworshipevenifyoudon’tconsideryourselftobephysicallycoordinated!

• Asyouworshipmusicallyandphysically,incorporatespontaneousandcreativeworship

into your expression of praise, worship, and gratitude to the Lord. If you are singingalongwithaworshipsong,singspontaneousnewlinesofmusicorsingnewharmonies.If you are singing either a cappella or while playing an instrument, sing or playspontaneousnewlines ofmusic. Last, ifyouhavereceivedthegiftoftongues,pray intongues as you worship. Or, if you are worship along with a worship song,spontaneouslyandexpressivelyprayinyournativelanguage.

RATIONALE FOR THIS EXERCISE—We are trying to SNAG the right side of the brain in thissecondstagebyinteractingwiththeLordinwaysthatinvolveouremotionsandourbody.Ourrightbrainistheseatofouremotionsandourembodiedexperiences.Thus,ifwemakespacefor expressing and experiencing these aspects of our lives, we will open ourselves up tointeractingwiththeLordatadeep,transformative level. Insuchanendeavor, it is importantfor us to appreciate the profoundly transformative nature of music. Music is profoundlytransformative in that it links together widely separated parts of the brain and body, byinvolvingemotions,rhythm,andwords. Infact,Siegelnoted:“Musicmaybetheclosestneurallanguagewehavetothedirectexpressionofwhatisinsideus.”12Inaddition,therightsideofthebrainissoneurallyconnectedtoourbodies.Ifwealsoincorporatephysicalexpressivenessintoourworship(e.g.,dancing),wewillbenotonlySNAGgingourrightbrain,butwewillalsobestimulatingthereleaseofneurochemicalsandhormones(e.g.,serotonin,endorphins)thatleadustofeelpleasurableemotionsandsensations(Walsh,2011).Also,ifweshiftthefocusofourpraisefromourselves(e.g.,onwhattheLordcanandhasdoneforus)toGodHimself(e.g.,on who the Lord is), then we will literally be SNAGging the part of the brain—the middleprefrontalcortex(thefrontpartofthebrain,behindtheeyes)—thatisresponsibleforahostofmentallyand interpersonallyhealthyprocesses,suchas(a)empathyandemotionallyattunedcommunicationwithothers;(b)regulationofouremotions,fears,andbodilyresponses;and(c)insightandintuition.13

Moreover, if we engage in creative and spontaneous expression, we will SNAG the middleprefrontal cortex aswell, because that area seems to play a significant role in creative self-expression (Limb & Braun, 2008). Last, it is important to note that, within the field ofpsychology,gratitudehasbeendubbed“thegreatestofthevirtues”(Emmons,2009,p.256;cf.Wood, Joseph, & Linley, 2007). Indeed, itsmyriad positive benefits tomental, physical, andsocial health are now well established (see Emmons & McCullough, 2004; Wood, Froh, &

12Siegel,D.J.TheMindfulTherapist:AClinician’sGuidetoHindsightandNeuralIntegration.NewYork,NY:Norton,2010.107.Print.13Siegel,TheMindfulBrain.

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Geraghty,2010;Wood,Joseph,&Maltby,2009,forreviews). Therealsoisresearchevidencethatprayer increasesgratitude (Lambert, Fincham,Braithwaite,Graham,&Beach,2009)andthatfrequentexpressionsofgratitudemaypromoteemotional,social,andspiritualresilience,aswellaspro-socialattitudes,motives,andbehaviors(Algoe&Fredrickson,2011;Algoe,Haidt,& Gable, 2008; Cacioppo et al., 2011; Emmons & Crumpler, 2000; Grant & Gino, 2010;Lyubomirsky et al., 2005; McCullough, Kilpatrick, Emmons, & Larson, 2001; Wood, Maltby,Gillett,Linley,&Joseph,2008;cf.Fredrickson,2001;Pargament&Sweeney,2011),especiallyamonghighlyreligious/spiritualpersons(McCulloughetal,2002;Watkins,Woodward,Stone,&Kolts,2003).

STAGE3:WAITINGONTHELORD

Finally,inthislaststage,wewillwaitontheLord,allowingHimspacetosimplybewithus,rightwhereweare.WewillsimplyrestinHisloveandtangiblepresence.

• Nowcloseyoureyes,getinacomfortablerestingposition,andtakeseveralverydeepbreaths.LetyourselfrestintheloveandtangiblepresenceofGod,asyousimplyenjoybeingwithHim. Perhapscloseyoureyesandgetamentalpictureof theRealGod—whateverGodmaylookliketoyou,whetherapersonsuchasPapafromTheShack,thefatherintheProdigalSonparable,orperhapsevenamythologicalfiguresuchasAslanfromTheChroniclesofNarnia.Orsimply letHimrevealhimself toyouasHechooses.Allowyourselftoexperiencewhateveremotionsandbodilysensationsariseasyougazeintoeachother’seyes.

• Then,allowspaceforGodtospeaktoyou.Infact,pray,“Jesus,pleasespeaktome”a

fewtimesandthenjournalaboutwhateversensations, images,feelings,andthoughts(SIFT)14 come tomind, as the Holy Spirit speaks to you. Whichever way the Lord isspeakingtoyou, let it fullysink in—let itspreadthroughoutyourmind,fillyourheart,and soak intoyourbody. Stay in thisexperience foraminuteor twoand then slowlyopenyoureyes.15

• Spend10minutesprayerfullyjournalingaboutwhattheHolySpiritisspeakingtoyou.

• DiscussthisexperiencewithaChristianfamilymember,friend,orleader.

RATIONALEFORTHISEXERCISE—GodhasdesignedourbrainsandmindstoexperienceHisloveandtangiblepresencesimilarwaysasweexperiencetheloveandattunedpresenceofothers,such as our spouse, children, parents, or friends. In other words, even as we experience

14Siegel,TheMindfulBrain.15David,E.B.GodImageNarrativeTherapy:ATreatmentManual.Unpublishedmanuscript.SchoolofPsychologyandCounseling,RegentUniversity,VirginiaBeach,VA,2009.Print.

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pleasurable feelingswhenweare in theattunedpresenceofa lovedone,weexperiencethesameemotionalandneurophysiologicalresponseswhenweareintheattunedpresenceoftheLord. Our bodies release certain neurochemicals and hormones (e.g., serotonin, dopamine,oxytocin),affectingourmood,motivation,andsoforth.Mostimportantly,weexperienceanembodied,emotionalsenseofbeingdeeplyloved,andthissenseofbeinglovedisprofoundlytransformativeandgrowthpromotingforourbrains(evenasan embodied, emotional sense of shame is profoundly harmful and growth-inhibiting to ourbrains).Again,asDanielSiegelhasnoted:“Ourpresentstateofscientificknowledgesuggeststhatwecansolidlyaffirmthatkindnessandcompassionaretothebrainwhatthebreathistolife.”16Inshort,itseemsasiftheLordhasdesignedourbrainsandmindstothriveinnotonlyHislovingpresencebutalsothelovingpresenceofotherpeople—particularlyHisembodimentintheearth:otherChristians,withChristastheHead.BarbaraFredrickson,oneoftheworld’sforemost scientific experts onpositive emotions, describes thepower andpositive effects oflove and loving affirmation in her book Love 2.0: Finding Happiness and Health in Times ofConnection:

“WhenIcomparelovetooxygenandfood,I’mnotjusttakingpoeticlicense.I’mdrawingonscience:newsciencethatilluminatesforthefirsttimehowlove,anditsabsence,fundamentallyaltersthebiochemicalinwhichyourbodyissteeped.They,inturn,canalterthewaysyourDNAgetsexpressedwithinyourcells.Theloveyoudoordonotexperiencetodaymayquiteliterallychangekeyaspectsofyourcellulararchitecturenextseasonornextyear—cellsthataffectyourphysicalhealth,yourvitality,andyouroverallwell-being.”17

WORKSCITED

Cozolino,L.TheNeuroscienceofHumanRelationships:AttachmentandtheDevelopingSocialBrain.NewYork,NY:Norton,2006.Print.

Cozolino,L.TheNeuroscienceofPsychotherapy:HealingtheSocialBrain(2nded.).NewYork,

NY:Norton,2010.Print.Davis,E.B.GodImageNarrativeTherapy:ATreatmentManual.Unpublishedmanuscript,SchoolofPsychologyandCounseling,RegentUniversity,VirginiaBeach,VA,2009. Availablefordownloadathttp://www.drwarddavis.com/resources.htmlFredrickson,Barbara.Love2.0:FindingHappinessandHealthinTimesofConnection.NewYork,16Siegel,TheMindfulTherapist,85.17Frederickson,Barbara.Love2.0:FindingHappinessandHealthinTimesofConnection.NewYork,NY:PenguinGroup,2013.4.Print.

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NY:PenguinGroup,2013.Print.

Siegel,D.J.TheMindfulBrain:ReflectionandAttunementintheCultivationofWell-Being.NewYork,NY:Norton,2007.Print.

Siegel,D.J.TheMindfulTherapist:AClinician’sGuidetoMindsightandNeuralIntegration.New

York,NY:Norton,2010.Print.

WORKSHEETTHREE:“PUTTINGOFF”AND“PUTTINGON”JimLaffoon(EveryNation)

In Ephesians 4:22-28, Paul describes the process involved in transforming even the moststubbornandresistanthabitpatterns:

“Youweretaught,withregardtoyourformerwayoflife,toputoffyouroldself,whichisbeingcorruptedbyitsdeceitfuldesires;tobemadenewintheattitudeof your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in truerighteousness and holiness. Therefore each of youmust put off falsehood andspeak truthfully toyourneighbor, forweareallmembersofonebody.‘Inyourangerdonotsin’:Donotletthesungodownwhileyouarestillangry,anddonotgivethedevilafoothold.Anyonewhohasbeenstealingmuststealnolonger,butmustwork, doing something usefulwith their own hands, that theymay havesomethingtosharewiththoseinneed.”(Ephesians4:22-28)

Thepassageaboveisnotjustspirituallysound;itisgreatneuroscience.Ourneuralpatternswillultimately be renewed through Biblical meditation, life experiences, the power of the HolySpirit,andthebehavioralchangesinvolvedindevelopingnewneuralpatternstoreplacetheoldones.That iswhyPaulsays inverse28,“Anyonewhohasbeenstealingmuststealno longer,butmustwork,doingsomethingusefulwiththeirownhands,thattheymayhavesomethingtosharewith those inneed.” Ihavediscovered thatoncewerepent,weneed to focuson thedevelopmentofnewpatterns.Practically speaking, the followingexercise ishelpful indeveloping thesenewhabitpatterns.Thebestwaytoputoffthe“old”selfistodevelopanewpattern,hence,puttingonthe“newself.”Hereisanexample:

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“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what ishelpfulforbuildingothersupaccordingtotheirneeds,thatitmaybenefitthosewholisten.”(Ephesians4:29)

• PutOff—Stopspeakingcriticallytoyourspouse.• PutOn—Sayfivepositive/edifyingthingstoyourspouseforsevendays.Makeajournal

entryeverytimeyouspeakpositivelyaswellasanentryforeverynegativeremarkorcomment.

STEPONE:Statethepatternyouareattemptingto“putoff.”_____________________________STEPTWO:Writeoutthenewpatternsofbehavior(“puttingon”)youwillbepracticingdaily.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________STEPTHREE:SelecttheScripture(orScriptures)youwillbeusingtoactivateyourconscience,createGodlysorrow,andtransformyourmind.WriteouttheScripture(orScriptures)below._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________STEPFOUR:Recordyourprogressdaily.Monday-_____________________________________________________________________Tuesday-_____________________________________________________________________Wednesday-__________________________________________________________________Thursday-____________________________________________________________________Friday-_______________________________________________________________________Saturday-_____________________________________________________________________Sunday-______________________________________________________________________

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STEPFIVE:Describehowthisexercisehelpedyouthisweek.

WORKSHEETFOUR:RELEASINGTHEBLESSING

WeknowfromRomans12:2thatwecanbetransformedbytherenewingofourminds.Whenitcomestodealingwiththedamagecreatedbytoxicself/talkandverbalcursing,theblessingsof God are a powerful antidote. Whereas a person’s unrighteous behavior can affect theirprogeny for four generations, righteousness can release the love and blessings of God to athousandgenerations.AsChristians,Godhasgivenusincredibleblessings:

“Scripture foresawthatGodwould justify theGentilesby faith,andannouncedthegospel inadvancetoAbraham: ‘Allnationswillbeblessedthroughyou.’Sothose who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”(Galatians3:8-9)“Iwillmakeyouintoagreatnation,andIwillblessyou;Iwillmakeyournamegreat,andyouwillbeablessing.Iwillblessthosewhoblessyou,andwhoevercurses you Iwill curse; and all peoples on earthwill be blessed through you.”(Genesis12:2-3)

WehavealsoreceivedextraordinaryspiritualblessingsthroughChrist:

“PraisebetotheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,whohasblessedusintheheavenlyrealmswitheveryspiritualblessinginChrist.”(Ephesians1:3)

Practicallyspeaking,thefollowingexerciseisdesignedtoreleasethepowerofGod’sblessingsintothoseareasofyourlifewhichhavebeendamagedbytoxicself-talkandverbalcursing.UseapassageofScripturethatcontainsablessingfromGod.Examplesoftheseblessingsarefoundin the blessing of Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), the Levitical Blessing (Numbers 6:22-27), theblessingsofDeuteronomy(Deuteronomy28:1-14),andtheBeatitudes(Matthew5:3-12).[See“AppendixOne:ScriptureVersesofBlessing.”]Thesepowerfulblessingscanbeexperiencedin

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manyways:

• WriteoutthepassageofScripture.• ReadthepassageofScripture(canbemultipletimesdaily).• RecordthepassageofScriptureandlistentoit.• HaveasignificantpersonrecordthepassageofScriptureandlistentoit.• ImagineJesusspeakingthepassageofScripturewhilelisteningtoit.• MakeupamelodyandsingthepassageofScripture.• WriteoutwaysthepassageofScripturehasalreadybeenexperienced.

INSTRUCTIONS:Doatleasttwooftheseexercisesdailywhileyouareinthetransformationalprocessofhealing.

WORKSHEETFIVE:HEALINGTRAUMAHealing damaged emotions (or inner healing) is the process throughwhichGod releasesHishealingpowerintothetraumasofaperson’ssoul.Thistypeofhealingcanbeconsideredthebalm or medicinal ointment of God for the wounded soul, whether the trauma came fromrejection,abuseorneglect.InnerhealingcanalsobeusedbyGodtohealthewoundsofmajortraumasresultingfromwar,naturaldisasters,violentassault,rape,andphysical/sexualabuse.STEPONE: Select the Scripture (or Scriptures) youwill bemeditating ondaily. Itwould behelpfultouseWorksheetTwo:SacredSpace,SectionOne,asameditativeguide.WritetheScriptureverse(orverses)below.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________STEP TWO: After you have received healing for your trauma, describe— into a voicerecorder—everythingyousawandfeltasJesushealedyou.STEPTHREE:Writeout,draw,color,orpaint,whatyoudescribedinStepTwoabove.STEPFOUR:Atleastthreetimesaday,aslongasyouareinthehealingprocess,eitherlistento your recording, read your description, or look at what you drew, colored, or painted.ThankGodforHishealingpower,andasktheHolySpirittocontinuetheprocess.STEPFIVE:Everytimethetraumaticmemoryrecurs,imaginethefaceoftheperpetrator,andforgivehim/heragain.ThenimagineJesus’healingtouchagainaswell.

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As you faithfully follow these exercises, new neural patterns will be created, and morehealingwilltakeplace.

APPENDIXONE:SCRIPTUREVERSESOFBLESSING

BLESSINGOFABRAHAMTheLordhadsaidtoAbram,“Gofromyourcountry,yourpeopleandyourfather’shouseholdtothelandIwillshowyou.Iwillmakeyouintoagreatnation,andIwillblessyou;Iwillmakeyournamegreat,andyouwillbeablessing.Iwillblessthosewhoblessyou,andwhoevercursesyouIwillcurse;andallpeoplesonearthwillbeblessedthroughyou.”(Genesis12:1-3)

LEVITICALBLESSING

TheLordsaidtoMoses,“TellAaronandhissons,‘ThisishowyouaretoblesstheIsraelites.Sayto them: “‘“TheLordbless you and keep you; theLordmake His face shine on you and begracious toyou; theLordturnHis facetowardyouandgiveyoupeace.”’“SotheywillputMynameontheIsraelites,andIwillblessthem.”(Numbers6:22-27)

BLESSINGSOFOBEDIENCE(DEUTERONOMY)

If you fully obey theLordyour God and carefully followall His commandsI give you today,theLordyourGodwillsetyouhighaboveallthenationsonearth.Alltheseblessingswillcomeonyouandaccompanyyou if youobey theLordyourGod:Youwillbeblessedin thecityandblessedinthecountry.Thefruitofyourwombwillbeblessed,andthecropsofyour landandtheyoungofyourlivestock—thecalvesofyourherdsandthelambsofyourflocks.Yourbasketandyourkneading troughwill beblessed.Youwill beblessedwhenyoucome inandblessedwhenyougoout.TheLordwillgrantthattheenemieswhoriseupagainstyouwillbedefeatedbeforeyou.Theywillcomeatyoufromonedirectionbutfleefromyou inseven.TheLordwillsendablessingonyourbarnsandoneverythingyouputyourhandto.TheLordyourGodwill

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blessyou in the land He is giving you. TheLordwill establish you as His holy people,as Hepromisedyouonoath,ifyoukeepthecommandsoftheLordyourGodandwalkinobediencetoHim.ThenallthepeoplesonearthwillseethatyouarecalledbythenameoftheLord,andtheywillfearyou.TheLordwillgrantyouabundantprosperity—inthefruitofyourwomb,theyoungofyourlivestockandthecropsofyourground—inthelandHesworetoyourancestorstogiveyou.TheLordwillopentheheavens,thestorehouseofHisbounty,tosendrainonyour land inseasonandtoblessall theworkofyourhands.Youwill lendtomanynationsbutwillborrowfromnone.TheLordwillmakeyouthehead,notthetail.IfyoupayattentiontothecommandsoftheLordyourGodthatIgiveyouthisdayandcarefullyfollowthem,youwillalwaysbeatthetop,neveratthebottom.DonotturnasidefromanyofthecommandsIgiveyoutoday,totherightortotheleft,followingothergodsandservingthem.(Deuteronomy28:1-14)

THEBEATITUDES(fromthe“SermonontheMount”)

Nowwhen Jesus saw the crowds,Hewentuponamountainsideand satdown.His disciplescametoHim,andHebegantoteachthem.Hesaid:“Blessedarethepoorinspirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven.Blessedarethosewhomourn,fortheywillbecomforted.Blessedarethe meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst forrighteousness, for theywill be filled. Blessed are themerciful, for theywill be shownmercy.Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheywillseeGod.Blessedarethepeacemakers,fortheywillbecalledchildrenofGod.Blessedarethosewhoarepersecutedbecauseofrighteousness, fortheirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are youwhen people insult you,persecute you andfalselysayallkindsofevilagainstyoubecauseofme.Rejoiceandbeglad,becausegreatisyourreward in heaven, for in the sameway they persecuted the prophetswhowere before you.”(Matthew5:1-12)

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APPENDIXTWO:SCRIPTUREVERSESFORHEALING

ABANDONMENT/ALIENATION

PSALM27:10 Thoughmyfatherandmotherforsakeme,theLordwillreceiveme. PSALM37:33 Thewicked lie inwaitfor the righteous,intentonputting themtodeath;but theLordwillnotleavetheminthepowerofthewickedorletthembecondemnedwhenbroughttotrial. PSALM51:11-12DonotcastmefromyourpresenceortakeyourHolySpiritfromme.Restoretomethejoyofyoursalvationandgrantmeawillingspirit,tosustainme.PSALM94:14FortheLordwillnotrejectHispeople;HewillneverforsakeHisinheritance. ROMANS8:38-39For Iamconvincedthatneitherdeathnor life,neitherangelsnordemons,neitherthepresentnorthefuture,noranypowers,neitherheightnordepth,noranythingelse inallcreation,willbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGodthatisinChristJesusourLord.2CORINTHIANS4:8-9We are hard pressed on every side,but not crushed; perplexed,but not indespair;persecuted,butnotabandoned;struckdown,butnotdestroyed.

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HEBREWS13:5Keepyourlivesfreefromtheloveofmoneyandbecontentwithwhatyouhave,becauseGodhassaid,“NeverwillIleaveyou;neverwillIforsakeyou.”

ADDICTIONSJOHN8:36 SoiftheSonsetsyoufree,youwillbefreeindeed. 1CORINTHIANS10:13-14Notemptationhasovertakenyouexceptwhatiscommontomankind.AndGodisfaithful;Hewillnotletyoubetemptedbeyondwhatyoucanbear.Butwhenyouaretempted,Hewillalsoprovideawayoutsothatyoucanendureit.Therefore,mydearfriends,fleefromidolatry.GALATIANS5:1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.Stand firm,then, and do not let yourselves beburdenedagainbyayokeofslavery. TITUS2:12Itteachesustosay“No”toungodlinessandworldlypassions,andtoliveself-controlled,uprightandgodlylivesinthispresentage,… HEBREWS4:15-16Forwedonothaveahighpriestwhoisunabletoempathizewithourweaknesses,butwehaveone who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us thenapproachGod’sthroneofgracewithconfidence,sothatwemayreceivemercyandfindgracetohelpusinourtimeofneed.JAMES1:12-15Blessedistheonewhoperseveresundertrialbecause,havingstoodthetest,thatpersonwillreceivethecrownoflifethattheLordhaspromisedtothosewholovehim.Whentempted,nooneshouldsay,“Godistemptingme.”ForGodcannotbetemptedbyevil,nordoeshetemptanyone;buteachpersonistemptedwhentheyaredraggedawaybytheirownevildesireandenticed.Then,afterdesirehasconceived,itgivesbirthtosin;andsin,whenitisfull-grown,givesbirthtodeath.JAMES4:7Submityourselves,then,toGod.Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou.1PETER2:11Dearfriends,Iurgeyou,asforeignersandexiles,toabstainfromsinfuldesires,whichwagewaragainstyoursoul.1PETER5:8Bealertandofsobermind.Yourenemythedevilprowlsaroundlikearoaringlionlookingforsomeonetodevour.

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2PETER2:19They promise them freedom,while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people areslavestowhateverhasmasteredthem.”1JOHN2:16For everything in theworld—the lust of the flesh,the lust of the eyes,and theprideof life—comesnotfromtheFatherbutfromtheworld.

ANGERPSALM4:4Trembleanddonotsin;whenyouareonyourbeds,searchyourheartsandbesilent.PSALM37:8Refrainfromangerandturnfromwrath;donotfret—itleadsonlytoevil. PROVERBS19:11Aperson’swisdomyieldspatience;itistoone’sglorytooverlookanoffense. LUKE6:31Dotoothersasyouwouldhavethemdotoyou. LUKE6:35But loveyourenemies,dogoodto them,and lendto themwithoutexpecting togetanythingback.Thenyourrewardwillbegreat,andyouwillbechildrenoftheMostHigh,becauseHeiskindtotheungratefulandwicked. LUKE6:37Donot judge, and youwill not be judged.Do not condemn, and youwill not be condemned.Forgive,andyouwillbeforgiven.ROMANS12:17-21Donotrepayanyoneevilforevil.Becarefultodowhatisrightintheeyesofeveryone.Ifitispossible,asfarasitdependsonyou,liveatpeacewitheveryone.Donottakerevenge,mydearfriends,butleaveroomforGod’swrath,foritiswritten:“Itisminetoavenge;Iwillrepay,”saystheLord.Onthecontrary:“Ifyourenemyishungry,feedhim;ifheisthirsty,givehimsomethingtodrink.Indoingthis,youwillheapburningcoalsonhishead.”Donotbeovercomebyevil,butovercomeevilwithgood.EPHESIANS4:26-27“Inyourangerdonotsin”:Donotletthesungodownwhileyouarestillangry,anddonotgivethedevilafoothold.

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EPHESIANS4:31-32Get rid ofall bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form ofmalice.Bekindandcompassionate tooneanother,forgivingeachother, justas inChristGodforgaveyou.COLOSSIANS3:8,12-13But now you must also rid yourselvesof all such things as these: anger, rage, malice,slander,andfilthylanguagefromyourlips…Therefore,asGod’schosenpeople,holyanddearlyloved,clotheyourselveswithcompassion,kindness,humility,gentlenessandpatience.Bearwitheachotherandforgiveoneanotherifanyofyouhasagrievanceagainstsomeone.ForgiveastheLordforgaveyou.1THESSALONIANS5:9-11For God did not appoint us to suffer wrathbut to receive salvation through our Lord JesusChrist.He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together withHim.Thereforeencourageoneanotherandbuildeachotherup,justasinfactyouaredoing.JAMES1:19-20My dear brothers and sisters,take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow tospeakand slow to become angry,because human angerdoes not produce the righteousnessthatGoddesires.

CONDEMNATION/SHAME

ISAIAH6:7 WithitHetouchedmymouthandsaid,“See,thishastouchedyourlips;yourguiltistakenawayandyoursinatonedfor.” ISAIAH54:4 “Donotbeafraid;youwillnotbeputtoshame.Donotfeardisgrace;youwillnotbehumiliated.You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproachof yourwidowhood.”ISAIAH61:7Insteadofyourshameyouwillreceiveadoubleportion,andinsteadofdisgraceyouwillrejoiceinyourinheritance.Andsoyouwillinheritadoubleportioninyourland,andeverlastingjoywillbeyours. JEREMIAH33:8IwillcleansethemfromallthesintheyhavecommittedagainstMeandwillforgivealltheirsinsofrebellionagainstMe. JOHN3:17-18

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For God did not send His Son into the worldto condemn the world, but to save the worldthroughHim.WhoeverbelievesinHimisnotcondemned,butwhoeverdoesnotbelievestandscondemnedalreadybecausetheyhavenotbelievedinthenameofGod’soneandonlySon.

JOHN8:1-11…butJesuswenttotheMountofOlives.AtdawnHeappearedagaininthetemplecourts,whereallthepeoplegatheredaroundHim,andHesatdowntoteachthem.TheteachersofthelawandthePhariseesbroughtinawomancaughtinadultery.TheymadeherstandbeforethegroupandsaidtoJesus,“Teacher,thiswomanwascaughtintheactofadultery.IntheLawMosescommandedustostonesuchwomen.NowwhatdoYousay?”Theywereusingthisquestionasatrap,inordertohaveabasisforaccusingHim.ButJesusbentdownandstartedtowriteonthegroundwithHisfinger.WhentheykeptonquestioningHim,Hestraightenedupandsaidtothem,“Letanyoneofyouwhoiswithoutsinbethefirsttothrowastoneather.”AgainHestoopeddownandwroteontheground.Atthis,thosewhoheardbegantogoawayoneatatime,theolderonesfirst,untilonlyJesuswasleft,withthewomanstillstandingthere.Jesusstraightenedupandaskedher,“Woman,wherearethey?Hasnoonecondemnedyou?”“Noone,Sir,”shesaid.“ThenneitherdoIcondemnyou,”Jesusdeclared.“Gonowandleaveyourlifeofsin.”

ROMANS5:1-5Therefore,sincewehavebeenjustifiedthroughfaith,wehavepeacewithGodthroughourLordJesusChrist,throughwhomwehavegainedaccessbyfaithintothisgraceinwhichwenowstand.AndweboastinthehopeofthegloryofGod.Notonlyso,butwealsogloryinoursufferings,becauseweknowthatsufferingproducesperseverance;perseverance,character;andcharacter,hope.Andhopedoesnotputustoshame,becauseGod’slovehasbeenpouredoutintoourheartsthroughtheHolySpirit,whohasbeengiventous.ROMANS8:1-2Therefore,thereisnownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus,becausethroughChristJesusthelawoftheSpiritwhogiveslifehassetyoufreefromthelawofsinanddeath.1PETER2:6ForinScriptureitsays:“See,IlayastoneinZion,achosenandpreciouscornerstone,andtheonewhotrustsinHimwillneverbeputtoshame.”

FEAR/ANXIETY

EXODUS14:13Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid.Stand firm and you will seethe deliverancetheLordwillbringyoutoday.TheEgyptiansyouseetodayyouwillneverseeagain.JOSHUA1:9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid;do not bediscouraged,fortheLordyourGodwillbewithyouwhereveryougo.”

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PSALM3:6Iwillnotfearthoughtensofthousandsassailmeoneveryside.PSALM23:4EventhoughIwalkthroughthedarkestvalley,Iwillfearnoevil,foryouarewithme;yourrodandyourstaff,theycomfortme.PSALM27:1-3TheLordis my lightand my salvation—whom shall I fear? TheLordis the strongholdof mylife—ofwhomshall I beafraid?When thewickedadvanceagainstme todevourme, it ismyenemiesandmyfoeswhowillstumbleandfall.Thoughanarmybesiegeme,myheartwillnotfear;thoughwarbreakoutagainstme,eventhenIwillbeconfident.PSALM34:4IsoughttheLord,andHeansweredme;Hedeliveredmefromallmyfears.PROVERBS1:7ThefearoftheLordisthebeginningofknowledge,butfoolsdespisewisdomandinstruction.PROVERBS12:25Anxietyweighsdowntheheart,butakindwordcheersitup.ISAIAH41:9-14Itookyoufromtheendsoftheearth,fromitsfarthestcornersIcalledyou.Isaid,‘Youaremyservant’;Ihavechosenyouandhavenotrejectedyou.Sodonotfear,forIamwithyou;donotbedismayed, for I amyourGod. Iwill strengthenyouandhelpyou;Iwill upholdyouwithmyrighteous right hand. “Allwho rageagainst youwill surely be ashamed and disgraced; thosewhoopposeyouwillbeasnothingandperish.Thoughyousearchforyourenemies,youwillnotfindthem.Thosewhowagewaragainstyouwillbeasnothingatall.ForIamtheLordyourGodwho takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will helpyou. Do not beafraid,youwormJacob,little Israel, do not fear, for Imyselfwill helpyou,” declares theLord,yourRedeemer,theHolyOneofIsrael.JOEL2:21 Donotbeafraid,landofJudah;begladandrejoice.SurelytheLordhasdonegreatthings!MATTHEW17:7-8ButJesuscameandtouchedthem.“Getup,”Hesaid.“Don’tbeafraid.”Whenthey lookedup,theysawnooneexceptJesus.LUKE12:4-5“I tell you,my friends,do not be afraid of thosewho kill the body and after that can do nomore.ButIwillshowyouwhomyoushouldfear:Fearhimwho,afteryourbodyhasbeenkilled,hasauthoritytothrowyouintohell.Yes,Itellyou,fearhim.”

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LUKE12:6-9Arenotfivesparrowssoldfortwopennies?YetnotoneofthemisforgottenbyGod.Indeed,thevery hairs of your head are all numbered.Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than manysparrows.“Itellyou,whoeverpubliclyacknowledgesmebeforeothers,theSonofManwillalsoacknowledge before the angels of God.But whoever disowns me before others will bedisownedbeforetheangelsofGod.LUKE21:34“Becareful,oryourheartswillbeweigheddownwithcarousing,drunkennessandtheanxietiesoflife,andthatdaywillcloseonyousuddenlylikeatrap.”JOHN14:27PeaceIleavewithyou;mypeaceIgiveyou.Idonotgivetoyouastheworldgives.Donotletyourheartsbetroubledanddonotbeafraid.ROMANS8:15TheSpirityoureceiveddoesnotmakeyouslaves,sothatyouliveinfearagain;rather,theSpirityoureceivedbroughtaboutyouradoptiontosonship.AndbyHimwecry,“Abba,Father.”ROMANS15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peaceas you trust in Him, so that you mayoverflowwithhopebythepoweroftheHolySpirit.2CORINTHIANS5:1Forweknow that if theearthlytentwe live in isdestroyed,wehaveabuilding fromGod,aneternalhouseinheaven,notbuiltbyhumanhands.2TIMOTHY1:7FortheSpiritGodgaveusdoesnotmakeustimid,butgivesuspower,loveandself-discipline.1JOHN4:4You, dear children,are fromGod and have overcome them,because the onewho is in youisgreaterthantheonewhoisintheworld.1JOHN4:18Thereisnofearinlove.Butperfectlovedrivesoutfear,becausefearhastodowithpunishment.Theonewhofearsisnotmadeperfectinlove.

GRIEF/LOSS

PSALM9:9TheLordisarefugefortheoppressed,astrongholdintimesoftrouble.

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PSALM10:14ButYou,God,seethetroubleoftheafflicted;Youconsidertheirgriefandtakeit inhand.ThevictimscommitthemselvestoYou;Youarethehelperofthefatherless. PSALM30:11-12You turnedmywailingintodancing;You removedmysackclothandclothedmewith joy,thatmyheartmaysingYourpraisesandnotbesilent.LordmyGod,IwillpraiseYouforever. PSALM88Lord,youaretheGodwhosavesme;dayandnightIcryouttoyou.Maymyprayercomebeforeyou;turnyoureartomycry.Iamoverwhelmedwithtroublesandmylifedrawsneartodeath.Iamcountedamongthosewhogodowntothepit;Iamlikeonewithoutstrength.Iamsetapartwiththedead, liketheslainwho lie inthegrave,whomyouremembernomore,whoarecutofffrom your care. You have putme in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths. Yourwrathliesheavily onme; you have overwhelmedmewith all yourwaves. You have taken frommemyclosest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confinedand cannot escape; myeyesaredimwithgrief.Icalltoyou,Lord,everyday;Ispreadoutmyhandstoyou.Doyoushowyour wonders to the dead? Do their Destruction?Are your wonders known in the place ofdarkness,oryourrighteousdeedsinthelandofoblivion?ButIcrytoyouforhelp,Lord;inthemorningmyprayercomesbeforeyou.Why,Lord,doyourejectmeandhideyourfacefromme?Frommy youthI have sufferedand been close to death; I have borne your terrorsand am indespair. Your wrathhas swept over me; your terrorshave destroyed me. All day long theysurroundmelikeaflood;theyhavecompletelyengulfedme.Youhavetakenfrommefriendandneighbor—darknessismyclosestfriend.PSALM116:1-4Youturnedmywailingintodancing;youremovedmysackclothandclothedmewith joy, thatmyheartmaysingyourpraisesandnotbesilent.LordmyGod,Iwillpraiseyouforever. PSALM119:49-50RememberYourwordtoYourservant,forYouhavegivenmehope.Mycomfortinmysufferingisthis:Yourpromisepreservesmylife.PSALM143:3Theenemypursuesme,hecrushesmetotheground;hemakesmedwell inthedarkness likethoselongdead.ISAIAH43:3-6For I am theLordyourGod, theHolyOneof Israel, your Savior; I give Egyptfor your ransom,Cush and Sebain your stead. Since you are precious and honoredinmy sight, and because Iloveyou, I will give people in exchange for you,nations in exchange for your life. Do not beafraid,forIamwithyou;Iwillbringyourchildrenfromtheeastandgatheryoufromthewest!Iwillsaytothenorth,‘Givethemup!’andtothesouth,‘Donotholdthemback.’Bringmysonsfromafarandmydaughtersfromtheendsoftheearth—

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LAMENTATIONS3:31-33FornooneiscastoffbytheLordforever.ThoughHebringsgrief,Hewillshowcompassion,sogreatisHisunfailinglove.ForHedoesnotwillinglybringafflictionorgrieftoanyone.ROMANS8:18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will berevealedinus.2CORINTHIANS1:3-4PraisebetotheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,theFatherofcompassionandtheGodofallcomfort,whocomfortsusinallourtroubles,sothatwecancomfortthoseinanytroublewiththecomfortweourselvesreceivefromGod.REVELATION21:4“‘Hewillwipeeverytearfromtheireyes.Therewillbenomoredeath’ormourningorcryingorpain,fortheoldorderofthingshaspassedaway.”

IDENTITY/SEXUALITY

GENESIS1:27 SoGodcreatedmankindinHisownimage,intheimageofGodHecreatedthem;maleandfemaleHecreatedthem. ISAIAH43:1 Butnow,thisiswhattheLordsays—Hewhocreatedyou,Jacob,Hewhoformedyou,Israel:“Donotfear,forIhaveredeemedyou;Ihavesummonedyoubyname;youaremine.” JEREMIAH29:11 “ForIknowtheplansIhaveforyou,”declarestheLord,“planstoprosperyouandnottoharmyou,planstogiveyouhopeandafuture.” JOHN1:12YettoallwhodidreceiveHim,tothosewhobelievedinHisname,HegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod— ROMANS8:14-15 ForthosewhoareledbytheSpiritofGodarethechildrenofGod.TheSpirityoureceiveddoesnotmakeyouslaves,sothatyouliveinfearagain;rather,theSpirityoureceivedbroughtaboutyouradoptiontosonship.AndbyHimwecry,“Abba,Father.” 1CORINTHIANS12:27

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NowyouarethebodyofChrist,andeachoneofyouisapartofit. 2CORINTHIANS1:21-22 Now it isGodwhomakesbothusandyoustand firminChrist.Heanointedus,setHissealofownershiponus,andputHisSpiritinourheartsasadeposit,guaranteeingwhatistocome.GALATIANS2:20

IhavebeencrucifiedwithChristandInolongerlive,butChristlivesinme.ThelifeInowliveinthebody,IlivebyfaithintheSonofGod,wholovedmeandgaveHimselfforme.EPHESIANS2:19-20Consequently,youarenolongerforeignersandstrangers,butfellowcitizenswithGod’speopleandalsomembersofHishousehold,builtonthefoundationoftheapostlesandprophets,withChristJesusHimselfasthechiefcornerstone.COLOSSIANS3:1-2Since,then,youhavebeenraisedwithChrist,setyourheartsonthingsabove,whereChristis,seatedattherighthandofGod.Setyourmindsonthingsabove,notonearthlythings.1PETER2:4AsyoucometoHim,thelivingStone—rejectedbyhumansbutchosenbyGodandprecioustoHim—1JOHN3:1-2SeewhatgreatlovetheFatherhaslavishedonus,thatweshouldbecalledchildrenofGod!Andthatiswhatweare!ThereasontheworlddoesnotknowusisthatitdidnotknowHim.Dearfriends,nowwearechildrenofGod,andwhatwewillbehasnotyetbeenmadeknown.ButweknowthatwhenChristappears,weshallbelikeHim,forweshallseeHimasHeis.

LUST

CONVICTIONROMANS1:21-24ForalthoughtheyknewGod,theyneitherglorifiedHimasGodnorgavethankstoHim,buttheirthinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to bewise,theybecamefoolsandexchangedthegloryoftheimmortalGodforimagesmadetolooklikeamortalhumanbeingandbirdsandanimalsandreptiles.ThereforeGodgavethemoverinthesinfuldesiresof theirhearts tosexual impurity for thedegradingof theirbodieswithoneanother.1THESSALONIANS4:7-8

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ForGoddidnotcallustobeimpure,buttoliveaholylife.Therefore,anyonewhorejectsthisinstructiondoesnotrejectahumanbeingbutGod,theveryGodwhogivesyouHisHolySpirit. 2PETER2:17-22Thesepeoplearespringswithoutwaterandmistsdrivenbyastorm.Blackestdarknessisreservedforthem.Fortheymouthempty,boastfulwordsand,byappealingtothelustfuldesiresoftheflesh,theyenticepeoplewhoarejustescapingfromthosewholiveinerror.Theypromisethemfreedom,whiletheythemselvesareslavesofdepravity—for“peopleareslavestowhateverhasmasteredthem.”IftheyhaveescapedthecorruptionoftheworldbyknowingourLordandSaviorJesusChristandareagainentangledinitandareovercome,theyareworseoffattheendthantheywereatthebeginning.Itwouldhavebeenbetterforthemnottohaveknownthewayofrighteousness,thantohaveknownitandthentoturntheirbacksonthesacredcommandthatwaspassedontothem.Ofthemtheproverbsaretrue:“Adogreturnstoitsvomit,”and,“Asowthatiswashedreturnstoherwallowinginthemud.” 1JOHN2:16Foreverythingintheworld—thelustoftheflesh,thelustoftheeyes,andtheprideoflife—comesnotfromtheFatherbutfromtheworld.ALTERATIONROMANS8:5-8Thosewholiveaccordingtothefleshhavetheirmindssetonwhatthefleshdesires;butthosewholiveinaccordancewiththeSpirithavetheirmindssetonwhattheSpiritdesires.Themindgovernedbythefleshisdeath,butthemindgovernedbytheSpiritislifeandpeace.ThemindgovernedbythefleshishostiletoGod;itdoesnotsubmittoGod’slaw,norcanitdoso.ThosewhoareintherealmofthefleshcannotpleaseGod.ROMANS13:14Rather,clotheyourselveswiththeLordJesusChrist,anddonotthinkabouthowtogratifythedesiresoftheflesh.COLOSSIANS3:1-5Since,then,youhavebeenraisedwithChrist,setyourheartsonthingsabove,whereChristis,seatedattherighthandofGod.Setyourmindsonthingsabove,notonearthlythings.Foryoudied,andyourlifeisnowhiddenwithChristinGod.WhenChrist,whoisyourlife,appears,thenyoualsowillappearwithHiminglory.Puttodeath,therefore,whateverbelongstoyourearthlynature:sexualimmorality,impurity,lust,evildesiresandgreed,whichisidolatry.

PHILIPPIANS4:8Finally,brothersandsisters,whateveristrue,whateverisnoble,whateverisright,whateverispure,whateverislovely,whateverisadmirable—ifanythingisexcellentorpraiseworthy—thinkaboutsuchthings.

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REJECTION/LOWSELF-ESTEEM/INSECURITY

GENESIS1:27 So God createdmankindin His own image, in the image of GodHe created them;male andfemaleHecreatedthem. DEUTERONOMY14:2…foryouareapeopleholytotheLordyourGod.Outofallthepeoplesonthefaceoftheearth,theLordhaschosenyoutobeHistreasuredpossession. PSALM27:10 Thoughmyfatherandmotherforsakeme,theLordwillreceiveme. PSALM34:17-20The righteous cry out, and theLordhearsthem; He delivers them from all their troubles.TheLordisclosetothebrokenheartedandsavesthosewhoarecrushedinspirit.Therighteouspersonmay havemany troubles, but theLorddelivers him from them all; He protects all hisbones,notoneofthemwillbebroken. PSALM49:16Donotbeoverawedwhenothersgrowrich,whenthesplendoroftheirhousesincreases;… PSALM94:14FortheLordwillnotrejectHispeople;HewillneverforsakeHisinheritance. PSALM139You have searched me,Lord, and You knowme. You know when I sit and when I rise; Youperceivemythoughtsfromafar.Youdiscernmygoingoutandmylyingdown;Youarefamiliarwithallmyways.Beforeaword isonmytongueYou,Lord,know it completely.Youhemmeinbehindandbefore,andyoulayYourhanduponme.Suchknowledgeistoowonderfulforme,too loftyfor me to attain. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I fleefrom Yourpresence?IfIgouptotheheavens,Youarethere;ifImakemybedinthedepths,Youarethere.IfIriseonthewingsofthedawn,ifIsettleonthefarsideofthesea,eventhereYourhandwillguideme,Yourrighthandwillholdmefast.IfIsay,“Surelythedarknesswillhidemeandthelightbecomenightaroundme,”eventhedarknesswillnotbedarktoYou;thenightwillshinelike the day, for darkness is as light to You. For You createdmy inmost being; You knit metogetherinmymother’swomb.IpraiseYoubecauseIamfearfullyandwonderfullymade;Yourworks are wonderful, I know that full well.My framewas not hidden from Youwhen I wasmadeinthesecretplace,whenIwaswoventogetherinthedepthsoftheearth.Youreyessawmyunformedbody;allthedaysordainedformewerewritteninYourbookbeforeoneofthemcametobe.HowprecioustomeareYourthoughts,God!Howvastisthesumofthem!WereItocount them, theywouldoutnumber thegrainsof sand—when I awake,I amstillwithYou. If

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onlyyou,God,wouldslaythewicked!Awayfromme,youwhoarebloodthirsty!TheyspeakofYou with evil intent; Your adversariesmisuse Your name. Do I not hate thosewho hateYou,Lord, and abhorthose who are in rebellion against You? I have nothing but hatred forthem;I count themmy enemies. Searchme,God, and knowmy heart; testme and knowmyanxiousthoughts.Seeifthereisanyoffensivewayinme,andleadmeinthewayeverlasting.PROVERBS3:26Havenofearofsuddendisasteroroftheruinthatovertakesthewicked,fortheLordwillbeatyoursideandwillkeepyourfootfrombeingsnared. LAMENTATIONS3:31-33FornooneiscastoffbytheLordforever.ThoughHebringsgrief,Hewillshowcompassion,sogreatisHisunfailinglove.ForHedoesnotwillinglybringafflictionorgrieftoanyone.ZECHARIAH2:8ForthisiswhattheLordAlmightysays:‘AftertheGloriousOnehassentMeagainstthenationsthathaveplunderedyou—forwhoevertouchesyoutouchestheappleofHiseye—‘MATTHEW10:29-31“Arenottwosparrowssoldforapenny?YetnotoneofthemwillfalltothegroundoutsideyourFather’scare.Andeventheveryhairsofyourheadareallnumbered.Sodon’tbeafraid;youareworthmorethanmanysparrows.”LUKE6:22-23“Blessedareyouwhenpeoplehateyou,whentheyexcludeyouand insultyouandrejectyournameasevil,becauseoftheSonofMan.Rejoiceinthatdayandleapforjoy,becausegreatisyourrewardinheaven.Forthatishowtheirancestorstreatedtheprophets.”LUKE10:16

“WhoeverlistenstoyoulistenstoMe;whoeverrejectsyourejectsMe;butwhoeverrejectsMerejectsHimwhosentMe.”LUKE12:6-7“Arenotfivesparrowssoldfortwopennies?YetnotoneofthemisforgottenbyGod. Indeed,theveryhairsofyourheadareallnumbered.Don’tbeafraid;youareworthmorethanmanysparrows.”JOHN15:18“Iftheworldhatesyou,keepinmindthatithatedMefirst.”1PETER2:4

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AsyoucometoHim,thelivingStone—rejectedbyhumansbutchosenbyGodandprecioustoHim—

TRAUMA

PSALM34:18TheLordisclosetothebrokenheartedandsavesthosewhoarecrushedinspirit.PSALM147:3Hehealsthebrokenheartedandbindsuptheirwounds.ISAIAH53:2-3HegrewupbeforeHimlikeatendershoot,andlikearootoutofdryground.HehadnobeautyormajestytoattractustoHim,nothinginHisappearancethatweshoulddesireHim.Hewasdespised and rejected bymankind,aman of suffering,and familiar with pain. Like one fromwhompeoplehidetheirfacesHewasdespised,andweheldHiminlowesteem.ISAIAH53:4Surely He took up our painand bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished byGod,strickenbyHim,andafflicted.ISAIAH61:1The Spiritof the SovereignLordis onme,because theLordhas anointedmeto proclaim goodnewsto the poor. He has sentme to bind upthe brokenhearted,to proclaim freedomfor thecaptivesandreleasefromdarknessfortheprisoners,…EZEKIEL36:26Iwill give youanewheartandputanew spirit in you; Iwill remove fromyou yourheart ofstoneandgiveyouaheartofflesh.HEBREWS4:14-16Therefore, sincewehavea great highpriestwhohas ascended into heaven, Jesus the SonofGod,letusholdfirmlytothefaithweprofess.Forwedonothaveahighpriestwhoisunabletoempathizewithourweaknesses,butwehaveonewhohasbeentemptedineveryway,justasweare—yetHedidnotsin.LetusthenapproachGod’sthroneofgracewithconfidence,sothatwemayreceivemercyandfindgracetohelpusinourtimeofneed.

UNBELIEFMATTHEW21:21Jesusreplied,“TrulyItellyou,ifyouhavefaithanddonotdoubt,notonlycanyoudowhatwasdonetothefigtree,butalsoyoucansaytothismountain,‘Go,throwyourselfintothesea,’anditwillbedone.

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MARK9:23-25“Ifyoucan?”saidJesus.“Everythingispossibleforonewhobelieves.”Immediatelytheboy’sfatherexclaimed,“Idobelieve;helpmeovercomemyunbelief!”WhenJesussawthatacrowdwasrunningtothescene,herebukedtheimpurespirit.“Youdeafandmutespirit,”Hesaid,“Icommandyou,comeoutofhimandneverenterhimagain.”LUKE24:38Hesaidtothem,“Whyareyoutroubled,andwhydodoubtsriseinyourminds?” JOHN3:16-18ForGod so lovedtheworld thatHe gaveHis one and only Son,thatwhoever believesinHimshallnotperishbuthaveeternal life.ForGoddidnotsendHisSon intotheworldtocondemntheworld,buttosavetheworldthroughHim.WhoeverbelievesinHimisnotcondemned,butwhoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in thenameofGod’soneandonlySon. JOHN4:48“Unlessyoupeopleseesignsandwonders,”Jesustoldhim,“youwillneverbelieve.” ROMANS4:20-21YetHedidnotwaverthroughunbeliefregardingthepromiseofGod,butwasstrengthenedinHisfaithandgaveglorytoGod,beingfullypersuadedthatGodhadpowertodowhatHehadpromised.ROMANS10:17Consequently,faithcomesfromhearingthemessage,andthemessageisheardthroughthewordaboutChrist.2THESSALONIANS2:11-12ForthisreasonGodsendsthemapowerfuldelusionsothattheywillbelievethelieandsothatallwillbecondemnedwhohavenotbelievedthetruthbuthavedelightedinwickedness.TITUS1:15Tothepure,allthingsarepure,buttothosewhoarecorruptedanddonotbelieve,nothingispure.Infact,boththeirmindsandconsciencesarecorrupted.HEBREWS3:12Seetoit,brothersandsisters,thatnoneofyouhasasinful,unbelievingheartthatturnsawayfromthelivingGod.HEBREWS11:1Nowfaithisconfidenceinwhatwehopeforandassuranceaboutwhatwedonotsee.HEBREWS11:6

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And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to HimmustbelievethatHeexistsandthatHerewardsthosewhoearnestlyseekHim.JAMES1:6Butwhenyouask,youmustbelieveandnotdoubt,becausetheonewhodoubtsislikeawaveofthesea,blownandtossedbythewind.

UNFORGIVENESSCONVICTION MATTHEW5:23-24“Therefore, ifyouareofferingyourgiftat thealtarandthereremember thatyourbrotherorsister has something against you,leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and bereconciledtothem;thencomeandofferyourgift.” MATTHEW6:12“Rejoice and be glad,because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way theypersecutedtheprophetswhowerebeforeyou.” MATTHEW18:21-25ThenPetercametoJesusandasked,“Lord,howmanytimesshallIforgivemybrotherorsisterwhosinsagainstme?Uptoseventimes?”Jesusanswered,“Itellyou,notseventimes,butseventy-seventimes.“Therefore,thekingdomofheavenislikeakingwhowantedtosettleaccountswithhisservants.Ashebeganthesettlement,amanwhoowedhimtenthousandbagsofgoldwasbroughttohim.Sincehewasnotabletopay,themasterorderedthatheandhiswifeandhischildrenandallthathehadbesoldtorepaythedebt.ROMANS8:1-2Therefore, there is now no condemnationfor thosewho are in Christ Jesus,because throughChristJesusthelawoftheSpiritwhogiveslifehassetyoufreefromthelawofsinanddeath.HEBREWS12:15Seeto itthatnoonefallsshortofthegraceofGodandthatnobitterrootgrowsuptocausetroubleanddefilemany.HOWTOFORGIVE 2CHRONICLES7:14… ifMy people, who are called byMy name,will humblethemselves and pray and seekMyfaceandturnfromtheirwickedways, then Iwillhearfromheaven,and Iwill forgivetheir sinandwillhealtheirland.JEREMIAH31:34

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“Nolongerwilltheyteachtheirneighbor,orsaytooneanother,‘KnowtheLord,’becausetheywill all knowme, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares theLord. “For I willforgivetheirwickednessandwillremembertheirsinsnomore.”LUKE1:77-80…togiveHispeopletheknowledgeofsalvationthroughtheforgivenessoftheirsins,becauseofthetendermercyofourGod,bywhichtherisingsunwillcometousfromheaventoshineonthoselivingindarknessandintheshadowofdeath,toguideourfeetintothepathofpeace.”Andthechildgrewandbecamestronginspirit;andhelivedinthewildernessuntilheappearedpubliclytoIsrael.JOHN20:22-23Andwith thatHebreathedon themandsaid,“Receive theHolySpirit.Ifyou forgiveanyone’ssins,theirsinsareforgiven;ifyoudonotforgivethem,theyarenotforgiven.”EPHESIANS4:32Bekindandcompassionatetooneanother,forgivingeachother, justas inChristGodforgaveyou.