How we Heal

Course Cut-OutMore Than Your Past - Shedding Shame and Guilt
Written By Austin Cavaliere

If you need help seeing Jesus in the middle of your struggle, or just feel like you are stuck, ready to move into growth and healing, connect with a Christian coach.

Excerpt: How we Heal - More Than Your Past Session 3

Course: More Than Your Past - Shedding Shame & Guilt

Speakers: Ryan Miller

The Path to Healing Shame: Embracing Vulnerability in Relationship

We've explored the nature of shame and its impact on our lives. Now, let's turn towards the crucial question: how do we actually heal from shame? I want to offer encouragement: the very places where we experience hurt that leads to shame are the same places where healing and vulnerability become possible.

The Relational Roots of Hurt and Healing

We are wounded in relationships – with ourselves, with others, and even with God. Consequently, healing also begins in relationship. It's within safe and trusting connections that we can start to mend the fractures caused by shame, not only in our interactions with others but also in our relationship with ourselves and with the Divine.

The Practice of Protection: Walls Against Vulnerability

For too long, we've practiced protection, building walls around our hearts and minds. We hold onto ideals of who we "should" be, and the gap between that ideal and our perceived reality fuels shame. We hide the parts of ourselves – our thoughts, actions, and feelings – that we believe are incongruent with community standards, with our own expectations, and with God's call. Like Adam and Eve, we instinctively hide.

Healing in Connection: Counteracting Isolation with Intimacy

It's vital to understand that just as hurt occurs in relationship, healing blossoms in relationships characterized by trust, vulnerability, and intimacy. These connections act as a powerful force against the guards, walls, and fences we've erected around our shame.

Therefore, the journey of healing shame necessitates actively practicing intimacy and vulnerability. We've spent so much time in isolation and protection that we need to consciously counteract these patterns.

The Uncomfortable Path: Exposing Our Hearts

This process will likely involve discomfort as we expose parts of our hearts, actions, and minds to ourselves, to God, and to others. It might feel daunting initially, but I want to assure you that this is the essential starting point – indeed, the only place where we can truly confront our shame.

Aligning with Grace: Finding Freedom at the Cross

We need to shift our focus away from the often unattainable metrics we've placed upon ourselves, the standards we consistently feel we fall short of. Instead, we must align ourselves with the cross. At the cross, the very aspiration we were created for – perfect communion with God, as in the Garden of Eden – has been made possible. God Himself has bridged the gap, closed the loops on the broken and exposed parts of our lives that we feel we must hide.

Living in Vulnerability: The Fruit of God's Love

The journey moves from already knowing the unwavering safety net of God's love, where failure is ultimately met with grace, to actively experiencing and living out the fruit of that love within our communities. This means embracing full intimacy and full vulnerability within a circle of trust.

 

If you like the content, you can continue in a few different ways…

  • 1) See the outline below and check out other sections from the FFP course.

  • 2) Take the full small group course to your church community! The first course your church runs is free! Reach out to us here to learn how.

  • 3) Connect with a Share The Struggle Coach for one-on-one support. Let’s face it, some of us have tried kicking this thing, and we’ve had no luck. It’s time to start looking toward forms of support that can help us see and feel the beautiful life God has in store for us.

 

More Than Your Past

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More Than Your Past 〰️

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Session 4

Session 5

Session 6

 

Share The Struggle Courses

Share the Struggle Courses are topical expert led video courses to help you understand life’s greatest struggles and provide you with tools for navigating them. Moreover, STS courses create a space for you to connect with others struggling with similar things, experience belonging, and encounter God’s nearness in a place of wilderness in your life (pain, confusion, healing journey). Want to start a group at your church? Reach out to us here to learn how.

 

What Share The Struggle Believes

Here at Share The Struggle we believe Jesus is present with us in the middle of our pain and mess, and it is in that place that we often experience and encounter Jesus most deeply.

We understand the unique challenges faced by Christians dealing with mental health. Our mission is to bridge the gap between faith and mental health support, providing a platform where individuals can find resources, coaching support and guidance, all tailored to their spiritual life and emotional needs.

We invite you to explore our resources, share your journey, and find the support you need to overcome the struggles you face.

Austin Cavaliere
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Shame and Trauma