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Introduction

Click the play button to begin video lesson and follow along with the class notes below the video window. When you complete this video, click the "Lesson Assignment" button at the bottom of this page to open the lesson assignment.

Key Scriptures

John 8:32 - And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Isaiah 53:4-5 - Surely He has borne our grief’s and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that made us whole, and with His stripes we are healed

Isaiah 54:4-5 - Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widow-hood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called.

Psalms 34:18 - The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.

Romans 8:1 - There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

A Word about Memories

Memories include feelings, concepts, patterns, attitudes, emotions, and visual images. Memories contain the expressions of how we felt at a particular moment. These memories can be factors that guide or hinder us in our present lives. Memories do not necessarily go away nor can they be simply forgotten. However, their influence in our present and future can be managed in a healthy way. Painful past events can be open doors to further troubles. These old doorways have labels such as rejection, abandonment, betrayal, shame, guilt, and unworthiness. All of these labeled doors are redeemable with the healing truth of Christ. These doors can be shut and new doors of wonderful opportunity can be opened.

Revelation 3:8 - I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.

The door ways of Satan can be shut, but the doors God opens for your healing and your purpose no one can ever shut!

Psalms 51:6 - Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Talking about Painful Memories

Talking and expressing the feelings associated with painful memories does not change what happened but it does open the door for healing.

Most victims hold very intense emotions inside. Feelings can be trapped by years of repression.

There can be many blocks to that lead to repression:

• Fear of the feelings can be a major obstacle
• Fear of self-exposure
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of teaching
• Cultural influences
• Self-protection
• Not wanting to “relive”
• Demonic influence
• Lack of verbal skills
• Feeling intimidated

Methods of repression can vary and be very creative:

• False self-image
• Alternate personalities
• Fantasies
• Escapes including but not limited to – drugs, alcohol, sex, food, shopping, work, T.V., religion, denial, projection, control issues
• Denial
• Ignorance

Escape methods have benefits or they would not be used. These benefits can include:

• Can live with a sense of false security that will feel real for a period of time
• For the person who procrastinates they are helpful
• They allow a person to avoid what may be unpleasant at first
• They enable the addictions that create the escape
• They allow fear not to be faced
• They allow the false persona to continue

Unexpressed feelings tend to manifest in unusual ways. Even though emotions may be blocked out of our minds they still have consequences.

• There can be exaggerated reactions to certain stimuli
• Rage instead of irritation
• Depression instead of sadness
• Rejection instead of small offense
• Unrealistic expectations
• Various reality distortions
• Perceived aggression through normal circumstance

There are other consequences of repressed feelings or memories. These consequences can be varied and include such things as unresolved shame, false guilt, feelings of inferiority, worthlessness, unexplained anger, anxiety, A.D.D., depression, detachment, living in a fantasy world, broken fellowship with God, and many others.

Consequences are simply signs that can be read by the counselor or yourself. The signs point to the truth of the problem which when exposed to the light of Christ can be healed.

 

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