Embrace Your Journey: Unlocking The Power of Emotional Healing

The journey towards emotional healing is not only personal but also communal. It empowers us to cultivate emotional maturity, which in turn helps us foster deeper connections and compassion with others.

The Spirit has been pointing us in this direction for years.

The concept of emotional healing developed exponentially over the past eighty or more years. I can attest to hearing the voice of the Spirit speaking thru the Ekklesia to seek recovery in the area of inner/emotional healing for decades. This was especially true in the early 2000’s. Of course a lot of people discounted the thought of it, for one reason or another. I recall one gathering in particular. I was there with a friend. Under the unction of the Spirit someone in the group spoke out a very detailed word. It went something like this:

“It’s time to start focusing on your emotional welfare. My people need inner healing. In order to be the empowered church I have called you to be, you NEED to be healed in your inner man. Maturity, emotional maturity, not just a knowledge of My word, is what will be required going forward in days and years ahead. Seek out emotional healing. Otherwise you will remain stuck in the past, and unable to move forward. I don’t want you locked in the past, but free.”

Not everyones’ response was positive

I’m sure there was more to it than that. But that was the gist of it. I remember the conversation afterward with my friend. She just didn’t get it. In fact, she was a bit offended at the suggestion that the word may have been directed at her. Her comments went something like this: “I know that person who spoke that out. Maybe SHE needs emotional healing. I don’t think that was for the group.” Again, there was more to the conversation than that. But I don’t want to get off track.

I loved my friend. I respected her in many ways. She was a survivor. She had grown up in an abusive family. She married and later divorced an abusive husband. She was a strong woman. She seemed to be a powerhouse of spiritual strength. She led bible studies, and prayer groups. Yet, she could often be quite critical and harsh at times. She was highly confrontational and unyielding. While those traits were great to help her survive the challenges of her abusive past, her ability to navigate relationships in a loving manner was profoundly lacking. BTW – she and I were friends at that time, because we had a lot in common. Just sayin’

For me the change was positive

However, we slowly drifted apart after I sought professional help to deal with my emotional brokenness. In 1989, I got into recovery for codependency. By the early 1990’s, I started seeing a counselor to deal with my pain associated with family of origin issues. The further I progressed on my journey, the less I had in common with my friend. I wanted to stop hurting. I also wanted to stop hurting others with my pain. It was a difficult path. One in which I would have to leave current friends behind and make new friends along the way.

It was not easy facing and dealing with my deep inner pain. In one session I recall my counselor validating me. She said, “Betty, you’ve survived every manner of abuse and mistreatment.” She went on to list them. It was overwhelming and embarrassing to hear it repeated back to me. But she continued, “You survived it. You did certain things in order to survive. That is commendable. The good news is that you don’t have live in survival mode anymore. You can heal and move on. You can learn new ways of coping and responding. You can change. The fact that you survived such harsh treatment shows that you have inner strength. You can do this. Draw from that same strength to undo the damage that was done to you.”

I was never the same after that. I remember it, because it was the first time anyone ever told me I had inner strength. I was always told I was a crybaby or too emotional. My POV of myself shifted that day. It was the beginning of not seeing myself as a victim. I started to see myself for who I really am, an emotionally strong, empathic and loving individual.

We Talk About What We Know

When we stumble on something we think is amazing we share it with others. That’s what I started doing when I began my journey of dealing with emotional/inner healing. It’s the greatest thing that has happened to me, second only to getting saved by grace and having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I am certainly not an expert in psychology or emotional healing. I am not a licensed health care provider. I don’t have a medical degree. What qualifies me to speak on the subject is my life experience. I share my journey. That journey includes how the Lord has led me personally. It also encompasses the revelatory words I’ve received by the Spirit. The Lord has called me to share the revelatory journey, as well as, my healing journey.

What God has been Showing Me

In autumn 2019, shortly after the onset of the Peh decade, I had an experience with the Lord. He showed me that we are currently in a century of progressively restorative inner healing. That ‘word’ applies to present Hebraic century, the 5700’s. I will be focusing more on this in upcoming posts.

Aligning with the way the Spirit is moving

The healing God pointed out in that experience, is associated with emotional healing. Some might call it inner healing, or healing of the soul. The soul consists of our mind, our will and our emotions. One has only to look at the advancements in this arena to see that great strides have been made during this time period, the 5700’s. Since emotional healing is the focus of the Spirit, it makes sense that we align ourselves with what the Spirit of the Lord is doing in the earth.

Navigating Thru Strong Storms

We are in a season where anxiety and stress is growing at an alarming rate. People seem to be cracking under the pressure. We all need help. What we don’t need is an emotionally immature narcissistic church responding with anger and fear out of our insecurities. People need mercy. We need Christ, not judgmental criticism and condemnation.

How we react IS important

Narcissism is a self–centered personality style characterized as having an excessive preoccupation with oneself and one’s own needs, often at the expense of others.¹

Christ is our example of empathy in action

Empathy is possessing the ability to take on someone else’s perspective. It includes the ability to understand, feel, and possibly share that other person’s experience, and respond in a compassionate manner. When we move out of a place of empathy rather than callousness we are expressing the heart of our loving God. God is not angry with people because they have sin in their lives. He extended His love not His wrath in the life, death and resurrection of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

Jesus is God’s empathy personified.

Colossians. 2.9 says, “For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ,” CSB. In Colossians 1.19, the apostle Paul expresses it this way; “For it pleased the Father for all the fullness [of deity—the sum total of His essence, all His perfection, powers, and attributes] to dwell [permanently] in Him (the Son),” AMP

It is the Son of God, Jesus, who gave His life as a sacrifice for sin, for all mankind. He became sin on our behalf that we might be set free from the bondage of sin. That does not reflect the heart of an angry God, but one who can sympathize.

Hebrews 4:12-16 NIV

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Even a good thing can get distorted.

Our human version of empathy needs to be balanced by emotional maturity. When empathy comes from a place of healed emotions, we can respond out of compassion without having a knee jerk reaction to the emotional distress which drives the unhealed empath.

People with hyper-empathy have a hard time managing their emotions. The symptoms of hyper-empathy include: having strong emotional reactions when other people experience negative feelings.

Toxic empathy is when someone over-identifies with someone else’s emotions, feelings and takes them on as their own.

Empathy is the ability to grasp, recognize, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person. But empathy does not take on that other person’s emotions as their own. That is toxic.

We don’t balance empathy with apathy². It gets balanced when we live within the safety of healthy internal boundaries. Healthy internal boundaries come through developing emotional maturity.

Emotional maturity is absolutely vital for navigating the complexities of life and building meaningful relationships.

It involves the ability to understand and manage one’s emotions, empathize with others, and respond to situations from a place of inner serenity. From this place of unruffled peace, I can then choose to respond with compassion. Compassion as opposed to unbridled empathy enables us to slow down. We can be present in the situation without becoming distressed. From the safety of our internal boundary, we can then choose a response. We can then be compassionate while maintaining our own wellbeing.

This kind of maturity fosters resilience in the face of challenges. It enables us to handle stress and conflict constructively, rather than reactively. We need resilience and endurance to navigate our way through life’s challenges.

Unfortunately many of us didn’t have this modeled for us growing up. I know I didn’t. Neither did many of my friends. But that doesn’t mean we can’t change. We can. And it’s vital for our own wellbeing, as well as those around us that we do.

Here are Some Strategies for Developing Emotional Maturity:

Emotional maturity is essential for navigating life’s complexities and fostering healthy relationships. FYI – (I do not get anything in exchange for promoting others work)

1. Self-Reflection

• Take time to reflect on your emotions and reactions. Journaling can be a helpful tool to explore your feelings and understand their origins. It helps us to get the root of our responses.

2. Practice Mindfulness

• Engage in mindfulness exercises such as meditation or deep breathing. Being present in the moment helps us respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively.

3. Understand Your Triggers

• Identify situations or behaviors that trigger strong emotional responses. Awareness of these triggers can help us manage them better when they arise.

4. Develop Healthy Boundaries

• We need to establish clear boundaries with others in order to protect our emotional well-being. This includes knowing when to say no and prioritizing our needs. Check out:
  • Cloud and Townsend: Boundaries
  • Brené Brown’s book Daring Greatly, or The Gifts of Imperfection.

5. Seek Feedback

• Open yourself up to constructive criticism from proven trusted friends or mentors. Their insights can help you recognize blind spots in your behavior and reactions.
• Only seek feedback from those who have proven themselves as trustworthy in response to our vulnerability.
  • Quote Brené Brown: “Vulnerability is based on mutuality and requires boundaries and trust. It’s not oversharing, it’s not purging, it’s not indiscriminate disclosure, and it’s not celebrity-style social media information dumps. Vulnerability is about sharing our feelings and our experiences with people who have earned the right to hear them. Being vulnerable and open is mutual and an integral part of the trust-building process.³
• We can only get positive effective feedback from those who are as mutually invested in our lives, as we are in theirs.

6. Cultivate Empathy

• Practice empathy by trying to understand things from others’ perspectives. Volunteer or engage in community service to connect with different experiences.

7. Improve Communication Skills

• Work on articulating your feelings clearly and respectfully. Effective communication fosters deeper connections and reduces misunderstandings.
  • This is where journaling can help. Sometimes writing out what we would say to someone helps us later when we are faced with that person or situation.

8. Address Past Trauma

• If past experiences impact your emotional responses, consider seeking professional help. Therapy can provide tools for healing and coping. Most of us have experienced some kind of trauma in our lives. Healing from the damage left behind from older trauma actually can help us deal with difficult situations so that we don’t carry new trauma.

9. Embrace Change

• Accept that change is a part of life. Develop a flexible mindset that allows you to adapt to new situations and challenges.

10. Educate Yourself

• Read books or attend workshops on emotional intelligence and maturity. Gaining knowledge can equip you with strategies for personal growth.
  • Lindsey Gibson – Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

11. Build Resilience

• Engage in activities that challenge you and foster perseverance. Overcoming obstacles can strengthen your coping mechanisms.
  • Brené Brown: Rising Strong

12. Nurture Relationships

• Surround yourself with emotionally mature individuals who inspire you. Healthy relationships provide support and encouragement on your journey. This is going to take some effort, but worth the investment.

Implementing these strategies in our daily life can help us cultivate emotional maturity, ultimately enhancing our personal well-being and the quality of our interactions with others.

By cultivating our own emotional maturity, we not only enhance our personal well-being but also create healthier interactions with others, improve communication, and contribute positively to our communities. For many of us it creates a major shift in family dynamics and can effectively change what we pass on to our children and grandchildren.

Ultimately, it empowers us to approach life with greater wisdom, compassion, and adaptability, paving the way for personal growth and deeper connections with others.

Embrace Emotional Healing

True empathy, modeled by Christ, should stem from a place of emotional maturity. We need to balance empathy with the importance of developing healthy emotional boundaries to manage our reactions. To do this we need to pursue a lifestyle of cultivating emotional maturity.

In light of the information shared about emotional healing and nurturing our inner selves, it’s time to take meaningful steps toward our personal growth. Here are some actions you can take:

1. Start Your Healing Journey

• If you haven’t already, begin by acknowledging your emotional wounds and commit to seeking healing. Consider professional counseling or support groups that resonate with your experiences.

2. Engage in Self-Reflection

• Dedicate time to reflect on your emotions. Journaling can help you find clarity and understand the root of your feelings. It doesn’t have to be a written journal. An audio journal can be very empowering.

3. Commit to Ongoing Growth

• Recognize that emotional maturity is an ongoing process. Develop and implement your strategies. Embrace the journey of self-improvement. Come up with a plan. Then put that plan into motion.

8. Share Your Journey

• Be open about your experiences and the lessons you’ve learned. Your story could encourage others on their healing path. Sharing is one of the most powerful tools I know of that helps all of us in our journey.

9. Pray for Guidance

• Seek God’s guidance as you navigate this journey. Pray for wisdom, strength, and the ability to respond to life’s challenges with patience, love and compassion.

10. Spread the Word

• Share this article and its message with others. Encourage others to explore the importance of emotional healing and spiritual growth in their lives.

Takeaway

I cannot stress enough the importance of emotional healing and its role in our personal growth. Healing is not only an individual endeavor but also enhances our connections with others. It helps to foster a collective journey toward emotional wellness. When we seek healing it affects those around us.

The guidance of Holy Spirit is crucial in this process, leading to greater spiritual empowerment.

Developing emotional maturity is cultivated through self-reflection, mindfulness, and setting healthy boundaries to foster empathy without becoming overwhelmed.

Let’s all move forward together in healing, maturity, and empathy together!

Join the Conversation!

I’d love to hear about your journey toward emotional healing and emotional maturity. What steps have you taken that have made a difference in your life? Have you experienced the power of empathy in your relationships? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! Your story could inspire and uplift others on their healing paths. Let’s support one another in this journey together!

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Thank you for taking the time to share your healing journey with us. Blessings on your growth and transformation!

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1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narcissism ↩︎
2. Apathy, the opposite of empathy, means a lack of care, lack of feeling, or an inability to feel compassion. It is defined by indifference. ↩︎
3. Brown, Brené. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (p. 45). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. ↩︎