Book Reflection: Abide Ch. 4
“We are not meant to live a double life; we are meant to live the full life in the freedom of Christ who has shattered the chains of darkness.”
Heather Khym
Chapter 4: Blocks to Healing
Some of us may find ourselves asking, “Why am I not healed yet?” or “Why can't I move forward?” In Abide, Heather Khym identifies a few blocks that may be preventing us from being able to move toward the life God intended for us.
We are all called to freedom in Christ. In life, we may find ourselves unable to experience true freedom due to various blocks, some of which we may not even be aware of. While we understand that only God's grace can lead us to full healing, we must also equip ourselves with tools to overcome these obstacles. This involves identifying barriers, praying for God's help in removing them, and developing strategies for navigating challenges in the future.
By acknowledging and naming the blocks to our healing journey, we can seek God's guidance in removing them. Remember, no obstacle is insurmountable. With perseverance and faith, we can break down any barrier.
Heather shares a few common hurdles we may face in the healing journey:
Practical Atheism
We may be all about God when things are going well, but our faith can waver when faced with adversity. However, we must hold firm to the belief in our security as God's children, rather than feeling like abandoned orphans. In moments of trial, it's not a sign of God's absence, but rather His nearness in our suffering. Let's pray for unwavering faith and constantly remind ourselves of our identity as God’s children. When challenges arise, let's swiftly run to Him, just as a hurt child seeks comfort from their father. In the end, Jesus is everything we need.
Unforgiveness
Forgiving those who have caused us deep pain can be incredibly challenging. Similarly, forgiving ourselves for past mistakes may also be difficult. However, holding onto grudges can have detrimental effects on our well-being, both mentally and physically. Research indicates that forgiveness not only improves health but also leads to spiritual freedom. When we experience this freedom, we become more open to receiving God's grace.
Recognizing our inability to achieve forgiveness on our own, God offers us His Divine Mercy. We can begin the journey of forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Forgiveness does not necessarily mean forgetting or trusting the person who hurt us. Instead, it grants us access to God’s mercy and grace when we release all unforgiveness and ask Jesus for the grace to forgive as He did. Ultimately, forgiveness liberates us to embrace the abundant life that God desires for us.
Sin
Our own sin acts as a roadblock to God. Through our choices, we often become attached to worldly things, leading us away from Him. It's crucial to bring the hidden areas of our lives into the light, as exposing them diminishes their power over us. Sin obstructs what is good, true, and beautiful, placing barriers between us and God. Jesus is the only real solution to our problems.
Self-Reliance
The primary obstacle to healing is self-reliance, which entails depending on ourselves rather than fully trusting in God. This tendency often stems from a desire for excessive control. Similar to how children depend on their parents, we are called to cultivate a child-like dependence on God. While we might believe that everything rests on our shoulders, the truth is that we have a loving Father who desires to care for us.
Lies and Agreements
Many of us internalize the lies spoken over us, allowing them to take root in our minds. These falsehoods often manifest as statements like “I am not enough,” “I am unworthy of love,” “I am unwanted,” “I am a failure,” or “I am alone.” However, Jesus does not affirm these negative words; instead, He speaks truth into our lives. To combat these lies, we must reject them and declare God's truth over ourselves: that we are loved, valuable, chosen, beautiful, and seen.
Through the grace of God and through prayer and the sacraments, we can remove these barriers. Although it may be a challenging journey, Jesus accompanies us every step of the way.
ponder
Take time to pray, journal, and reflect on the following questions:
What are some of the blocks to healing that you can recognize in your life right now?
What lies have you believed about God or yourself?
What truths is God telling you He wants to replace the lies with?
End in prayer, asking God for the grace to remove these lies and replace them with His truth.
Note: The Amazon links are affiliate links supporting meek & humble.
