Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

One of the books that I have particularly enjoyed has been The Emotionally Healthy Church by Peter Scazzero. In the opening pages, Scazzero shares the story of his broken life, ministry, and marriage. It immediately resonated with many facets of my own story of self-effort and making Jesus an accessory to my story rather than fully accepting the invitation to become part of His story.

The premise of this book is that emotional health and spiritual health are intertwined, which is something that modern western discipleship has failed to take into account. For that reason, it is rare for a follower of Christ to shine light on what is happening emotionally. Leading to followers who are hiding themselves from God, going through the motions of what they 'should' do and how a follower 'should' look, and eventually burning out or missing the point entirely.

As Scazzero points out, discipleship is not a one time event, but a process; one that involves transformation of the inner self in order to change the outward. Reading this book validated one of the tenants I have developed within Choosing to Trust - how can we properly deny ourselves if we do not know what it is we are denying?

Scazzero's writing style is clean and easy to understand. This book is a perfect intro read for those who desire a different perspective from the consumer and results driven Christianity that we find ourselves immersed in. If you want a rating, this book is one of my Top Shelf books, which would equate to 5 out of 5 stars.

On a related note, coming in May, Peter Scazzero and his wife will be leading a conference for church leaders on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. If you have the means and are looking for something that would definitely add value to your church or community, this would be an excellent option. Follow the link for more details.

Unwrapped

So now it is over for another year. The gatherings that we look forward to are long over. Presents that we longingly anticipate have been unwrapped with the pretty paper laying strewn all over the floor. When that last gift is opened and Christmas is behind for another year the question lingers - Is that all?

It becomes time to deal with the disappointment and sense of being let down. No more parties; no more decorations; no more pretty packages promising to cover our yearning. Is that all blends so easily into I thought I'd be happier.

Yet, our lives are like the holiday season; adorned with extras that somehow promise more to our sense of self than they were ever intended to deliver; while we pine for them we feel inadequate yet hopeful and when they are attained we feel let down and hollow.

If I just had a relationship, then...

If I could just lose 20 pounds, then...

If I just had a different job, then...

If I could just stop being depressed, then...

Or if I made more money, then...

If I just had a boat, then...

Or a child, or more sex, or friends, and the list can go on and on and on and on. There is an infinite list of things we can turn to dress ourselves up, make ourselves feel more worthy and acceptable.

Trying to create a sense of self, we lose ourselves.

In our culture the timing of Christmas and New Year's is unfortunate. At a time when we are forced to confront our disappointment in what we are relying on to create a sense of worth, we quickly approach the day when things 'start over' and we resolve to make the changes necessary to be happy this next time around.

Not that we shouldn't consider our behaviors and evaluate them. But, we should not use this evaluation as a barometer of our value as a person. A sort of acceptability litmus test.

Rather than using New Year's as a time to resolve new behaviors - new ways to wrap ourselves up to look more presentable in order to be accepted and chosen - why not let the holiday blues drive you to consider why you do not feel significant?

Only then can you begin the process (yes, there are no easy fix-its) of filling in that space, not with 'better' behaviors or 'acceptable' strategies or 'significant' goals, but with the truths that Jesus, the image of the invisible God, spoke to us and lived before us. Deny the false self.

Systems, powers, and people can devastate the soul. Indeed, there are pains that we are going to have to bear in this fallen, broken world. Take up your cross.

Jesus is not a magic pill making everything better. He is Savior. Comforter. Counselor. Overcomer. He plows the path, walking our steps with us, relieving our burden. Follow Him.