In this series, we have been discussing the need of emotional healing and the process for healing. As with most progressions in this ethereal journey of Christianity, emotional healing is a process. In discussing healing it is important to truly understand what healing means and to do so we will deal with it in the physical sense initially.

 

Many people confuse being cured with being healed. This is one of the reasons many people never experience true healing; they get trapped in the cured state. Being cured is experiencing the elimination of the source and symptoms of an illness, whereas being healed means being restored to the original state of existence before the illness originated. Let’s use cancer for example. When an illness as devastating as cancer enters the life of a person, it brings with it more than the physical challenges of the illness itself, but it brings psychological, emotional and spiritual challenges as well. It can challenge your faith, strain your relationships (including your relationship with God), disrupt your finances, and so much more.

 

When a cancer patient finally wins their battle with the disease, it is just the beginning of the healing process. There has to be a recovery and restoration from the damage that the disease caused. The cure brought relief and healing will bring restoration. Healing brings the positioning to reengage life in full capacity of your God given potential.

 

Now, let’s translate this into emotional healing. When you are emotionally damaged because of past hurts, disappointments and emotional assault, the first thing is to bring relief from the situation. This begins with removing yourself from the hostile environment and then forgiving and releasing the culprit from their debt to you. Now the healing process begins. This is where God begins to add back to you all that the assailant robbed you of: Self-esteem, self-worth, identity, purpose, vision, sense of destiny and more. So, in essence, being cured is the elimination of the source and symptoms and healing is being made whole.

 

What I want to speak with you about today is identity. What and who are you identifying yourself with? How are you viewing your situation? All of this carries immense weight in the healing process.

 

When a person has suffered emotional abuse, they have become disconnected from the true source of their identity, Christ. Through the malevolent treatment by others, they have been conditioned to identify with what that treatment implies or in many cases what their perpetrator has said concerning them. In reconnecting with the true source of their identity, this person is reconnected with their purpose and destiny. This is not an overnight process and dependent upon the length and extent of the abuse, this can be a lengthy process. The one thing to understand is that God is more than able to reach down into the deepest pit to rescue and restore anyone willing to call on His name.

 

John 8:32 says, “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” What truth is in view here? The true source of your identity, Christ. The only true revelation of self, the Holy Spirit. The only one that will never forsake you, God the Father. It is the reunion and sometimes the introduction to the only one that has the power to bring you to the fullness of your purpose.

 

The secondary truth is the truths that these initial truths will reveal. When you become acquainted with the source of your identity, you become aware that this identity comes with some extremely powerful assets. Becoming acquainted with your identity reminds you that you are more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37). Identifying with Christ assures you that you are a special, unique, chosen and ordained person; personally chosen by God to proclaim His Greatness (1 Pet. 2:9). This new identity bears with it the knowledge that its bearing has been grafted you into the Royal family of God and has given you eternal security within the family. This identity brings knowledge of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and all the power associated with it.

 

Identity is a powerful force. That which you identify with establishes your path, approach, perspective and ultimately, your destiny.

 

Paul said, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, behold all this of the old man have passed away, and all things have become new (2 Cor. 5:17). Stop believing the lies of the enemy; stop accepting his erroneous assessments of you. God has established you as a new creation. As Satan attempts to remind you of your past; its hurts, disappointments, and failures, God desires to erase the negative impressions of the past that are so heavily engrained in your psyche. He desires to restore you. He simply needs to you seek Him and surrender to Him so that He can begin His work in you.

 

One of the greatest hindrances to this part of the healing process is the natural proclivity to conceal the past due to embarrassment and shame; however, there is great power in sharing your past struggles. First, it lifts the burden of carrying something that is too heavy for you to carry. Second, it allows others to see God’s ability to transform and heal. While you are healing you are also giving hope to others. Find your identity in Christ and allow that identity to bring restoration. ~ Dr. Rick Wallace