Book Reflection: Abide Ch. 9
“You are glorious, chosen, royal, unrepeatable, and made by the hands of Love himself, with the fingerprints of the Father upon you. There is never a better time for us to shed the false self than right now.”
Heather Khym
Chapter 9: Essentials in the Journey of Healing
In previous weeks, we reflected on many truths about God’s desire for our lives. He wants us to live a life of fullness, not scarcity. To move toward this abundant life, we are called to reveal all the areas of our life where we struggle so He can help us break free and flourish. The following points are what Heather identifies as essential to the healing journey. Not only are these essentials important for healing, but we need them for every part of our journey to live the life God intended for us.
Community
When we are unhealthy, we have the tendency to isolate and withdraw from others. We stay within our comfort zones, which sometimes means being alone. This is where the enemy wants us, rooting ourselves in lies. Through the company of others, we gain perspective and find the accompaniment we need. We need people who challenge and support us. Scripture shows us that Jesus was always with a community, except when He went off to retreat and pray, being with the Father. Consider the Gospel of Luke 5:17-20, where a group of men helped their friend see Jesus, demonstrating the power of community and friends to help with our journey to Christ.
Vulnerability
Sometimes, we need to reveal what is hidden inside us so we can free it or peel off layers of inauthenticity. A wound that remains unseen cannot heal properly. We must be vulnerable to let Christ's light into our darkness, allowing healing to begin.
Reliance on God
We often rely on ourselves rather than on God and the community He has given us. We hesitate to ask for help, thinking our way is better. However, God wants to help us and be our Father.
Identifying Your True Self
Sometimes, we wear masks to hide our true selves, often in response to shame and pain. God wants to reveal His glory in us. By shedding this false identity, we can experience a fuller, more authentic life.
Sacramental Life
We have access to the Father through the sacraments. We receive Christ's life through the Eucharist, and God freely gives these gifts to us without any merit on our part. The sacramental life helps us remain in Christ, the vine who is our life source.
Embracing community, vulnerability, reliance on God, and our true selves, along with living a sacramental life, leads us to a more authentic and fulfilling life. By following the example of Jesus, who valued community and sought solace in the Father, we can navigate our struggles with faith and support. Let us open our hearts to the grace God freely offers and journey together towards restoration and wholeness.
ponder
What holds me back from processing forward?
Who can I reach out to to help me on my journey of restoration and growth?
Note: The Amazon links are affiliate links supporting meek & humble.
