Stephen Arterburn - Healing Is a Choice: 10 Decisions That Will Transform Your Life and 10 Lies That Can Prevent You From Making Them

Copyright 2005 by Stephen Arterburn

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Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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ISBN: 0-7852-1873-4

Printed in the United States of America

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CONTENTS

A t one time or another, every human being needs healing.

The type of healing needed will differ depending on who the person is and his or her circumstances. In every instance healing is a choice in which God and man are involved. Healing is a choice; it is Gods choice. Also, there is a human side to the matterthere are choices we can make to ensure we experience whatever healing God, in His eternal purpose, has for us. Ultimately, however, we must remember the Creator of the universe is also the Healer of His universe. He is the ultimate decision maker as to how, when, and from whom we receive healing.

No matter how long youve struggled... it is time
to pick up your mat and walk.

THE FIRST BIG LIE:

All I need to heal is just God and me.

You cannot read what God has to say about connecting
with each other and be convinced that He wants us to
face our pain with just Him and Him alone.

Romans 12:5 tells us to depend on each other, not to just depend on God.

Romans 12:15 tells us to weep with each other, when we often want to just weep alone.

Romans 15:14 tells us to counsel and teach each other, when we want to just wait and hear from God.

I Corinthians 12:25 tells us to care for each other.

I Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage and build each other up.

Ephesians 5:21 tells us to submit to each other, meaning you are to do more than just submit to God.

Ephesians 4:2 tells us to uphold each other, when we try to act like we dont need anyone.

Hebrews 10:24 tells us to stir up love in each other and share it.

I Peter 4:10 tells us to minister to each other, so Gods generosity is shared, not just enjoyed.

James 5:16 tells us to tell each other what we have done wrongthen we can experience healing.

Galatians 6:2 tells us to bear each others burdens, when all we want to do is take them to God.

Over and over we see Scripture pushing us back toward each other. Connection is the way of God.

If you are living in isolation because
of shame... know that God wants you out
of hiding into the arms of a healing community.

You may find it in a church, some places of work,
a small town, or a neighborhood. Community can
be found, if you search for it.

Connection with God is vital to our healing, but it is
not enough. We must branch out from aGod only
mentality and reach out to others.

THE SECOND BIG LIE:

Real Christians should have a real peace in all circumstances.

You must feel before you can heal, or you will stay
wounded and in turn wound others who get too close.

Almost everyone has experienced a loss or a trauma so
bad that they were numb and unfeeling rather than
overwhelmed by the intense pain. The shock and
numbness is a unique gift from God that allows
us to survive the worst emotions.

Do a pain inventory and a feelings checkup.
Find the time to get away, be still, and quiet your mind.
And ask yourself these questions:

What am I afraid of?

What is missing?

Why am I empty?

What am I filling up on?

What feelings am I avoiding?

Why am I refusing to feel?

Why am I afraid of rejection?

Why am I afraid of being inadequate?

Why am I afraid someone might come to control me?

In what ways do I avoid doing things for fear of failing?

I am afraid of doing nothing significant during my life...

When you have explored the fear, look at the anger:

When do I hold a grudge?

When am I angry because I feel controlled?

What areas of my past are in my present because of anger toward someone who hurt me?

In what ways am I seeking revenge in any form?

How does my anger lead me to negative statements about anyone?

Then in the quiet moments, take a look at the
guilt and shame you bear:

What feelings of guilt do I feel about a current habit?