Someone once asked me what do I mean when I say “deal with the past”? What does it look like to process a painful childhood or history of abuse?  Choosing to deal with painful past abuses is doubtless one of the most heart rending experiences life has to offer.   That said, there is no greater reward than that of owning your whole story, wrapping your emotional arms around the brokenness that was your life, knowing you are more for having passed that way.

For me the process was accomplished while writing my story.  Emotionally combing through my past with the mind and maturity of a loving adult enabled me to see the truth of my childhood.  Retracing my past one memory at a time, viewing each player in this production that is my life I am now able to discern where my responsibility ends and the culpability of others begins.

Emotional damage occurs when lies believed break the cycle of love and trust growing in the heart. A child with no life history will accept as truth the lies about life and living embedded within the abuse they daily experience.   For this child evil is a daily companion; healing, loving truth does not exist.

How do we discover what has never been known?  Where to begin?  No one looks for emotional healing until they realize the brokenness within themselves.  The questions arise when they find themselves living a life filled with emotional pain, failed relationships, ect…  They meet happy people who seem to have it all together.  The questions begin to form; Why not me too?

This is where a good counselor can be very helpful.  They will provide a safe caring environment where you can get the answer to the questions you are just now ready to ask.  An emotionally healthy friend or counselor will also be a living example for the observant.

The time has come to question everything. Start anywhere you like, with whatever is on your heart.  Open the emotional closet, pull all the memories out into the light of day and take a good look.  What beliefs about yourself, life, or others have been accepted as truth?   Are these accepted beliefs accurate?  Don’t try to justify the past or rewrite it for the benefit of your listener.  Let it be just what it was, trust me, it will be okay.  The absolute worst episode you are holding in the very deepest, darkest, part of you, when brought to the light will lose its sting.

Truth & Trust are key to healing.  Where lies break the circle of love and trust, truth restores this circle.  Truth Restored brings love and trust in its wake.  Be a follower of the truth regardless where it may lead.  From a distance this road may look dark and uninviting.   Don’t’ be deceived; throw open the door of your soul allowing God’s healing light to flood your entire being.  His desire is to transform your biggest hurt into your greatest blessings.