In the church we tend to smile and greet each other with, "How are you?" The usual response is, "Fine." Behind the smile and the 'fine' there can be a deeply wounded soul. (I personally was raised to greet other saints with, "Praise the Lord!" I still do this at 60 years old!)

 

We just came through the Christmas season where we celebrate the birth of Christ that includes His life, death, burial and resurrection. The resurrection is what gives us hope for eternal life. The gift of salvation removes our sins as far as the East is from the West. God puts our sins in a sea and forgets them. God erases our sins, but He does not remove our emotions or memories.

 

Emotional wounds do not go away when we are born again. We would love to believe that everyone in the church is raised in a God filled family that portrays the love of the Lord in every area of their family relationships, but we know this is not true.

 

Abuse happens in the homes of churched and unchurched people. The dysfunctional family has these unspoken rules: don’t talk, don't feel and don’t trust. Because of the family secrets, it's usually difficult for a saved wounded person to trust another person in sharing their emotional wounds.

 

But the Word of God tells us in Isaiah 6l that Jesus came not only to bring the 'good news' – the gospel, but he came to heal the brokenhearted, to set captives free from prison (of their 'stinkin thinkin'), to help people grieve their losses and to give beauty for the ashes of their pain. In my book, God’s Healing for Hurting People, I share my journey to becoming a certified pastoral counselor and some key truths I learned that enabled me to become a people helper.

 

For ten years I provided the ministry of confidential pastoral counseling for Christian Life Center in Stockton, California, under Pastor Kenneth Haney. In the past 15 years, I have been privileged to see hundreds (maybe more) of people come to emotional healing through applying the truth of God’s Word to their lives.

 

We don’t just live with the facts of our lives, but we live with our own interpretation of those facts. If we have suffered emotional/physical abuse, our interpretation of our lives could be twisted and painful. What we have to do is replace the twisted interpretation of our lives with God's truth. This is the powerful work of knowing the truth and being set free. This is where we need skilled, knowledgeable helpers to come along side the wounded person and help them to see God's truth and take ownership of it.

 

Many people who have been abused tell themselves negative 'put downs'. I’m unlovable. I’m not worthy. God couldn't use me. Even though they have been born again of water and spirit, the devil steals their joy of salvation with these negatives thoughts. They usually need help in applying God's truth to their lives. The truth is that they are a new creation in Christ. This word 'new' means unused, clean and novel. Even though they may feel used and abused, they must change their negative thoughts to God's truth.

 

It usually takes some repetition and encouragement. But when God's truth is digested in their soul and spirit, we see a gradual miracle take place in their heart and belief system.

 

Satan wants to kill, steal and destroy us with his lies. But when we apply God's truth to our lives, we can have our joy restored to the glory of God. We all need to grow spiritually, emotionally and relationally through the Word of God so our relationship with God and others will be healthy and productive.

 

I thank God for the opportunity to share His truth through teaching and counseling. I taught six years at Christian Life College, two of six subjects being Principles of Counseling and Marriage & Family. I teach for churches, conferences, retreats, etc. I provide confidential pastoral counseling in the St. Louis area and by phone nationwide.

 

Jesus is the healer of our emotional wounds through the power of His Word. It is my passion to share His good news that goes beyond salvation so we can be the 'planting of the Lord' that nothing (no thing) can uproot or destroy.
Carol Clemans is a certified pastoral counselor/Bible teacher/author. She is founder of Life Enrichment Ministries. She and her ordained husband, Harold Clemans, attend Pastor Daniel Batchelor’s church in Dupo, ILL, where Carol provides a counseling and teaching ministry.

 

Carol’s book, God's Healing for Hurting People, and 4 teaching CD's – Winning the Battle of the Mind, God's Design for Marriage, True Submission, Abuse Recovery God's Way are $10.00 each.

 

 

Carol Clemans

Certified Pastoral Counselor

P.O. Box 663, St. Peters, MO 63376.

Contact for teaching or counseling at (636) 448-0121.

Email: carol@carolclemans.org

Web site: www.carolclemans.org