Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It's Impossible to Be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature

The work of growing in Christ (what theologians call sanctification) does not mean we don’t go back to the past as we press ahead to what God has for us. It actually demands we go back in order to break free from unhealthy and destructive patterns that prevent us from loving ourselves and others as God designed.

Give in because we are afraid of not being liked

Three powerful temptations, however, threaten us. Each, in its own way, screams: “God’s love for you will never be enough! You are not lovable. You are not good enough.”

BILL OF RIGHTS Respect means I give myself and others the right to: Space and privacy (e.g., knocking on doors before entering, not opening one another’s mail, respecting each other’s needs for quiet and space); Be different (e.g., allowing preferences for food, movies, volume of music, and how we spend our time); Disagree (e.g., making room for ea

Tell only half the truth because we can’t bear to hurt a friend’s feelings

Differentiation involves the ability to hold on to who you are and who you are not. The degree to which you are able to affirm your distinct values and goals apart from the pressures around you (separateness) while remaining close to people important to you (togetherness) helps determine your level of differentiation.

The path we must walk is initially very hard. Powerful forces around and inside us work to smother the process of nurturing the seeds planted in each of us.14 At the same time the God of the universe has made his home in us

Is it any wonder that most people live off other people’s spirituality rather than taking the time to develop their own direct experience of God?

spiritual warfare work against us. Yet