YOU HAVE SEEN ENOUGH

adapted from Bishop TD Jakes teaching

Pain, hurt and loss affect us to our core. We
replay our painful experiences on a continuous
loop in our minds.  We wish the outcome had
been different--that he would have loved us more
or that they wouldn’t have abused us.  But no
matter how good we get at masking the pain, our
wounds haven’t even begun to heal.
All that happened in your past was damaging, but
it resides in the past. As we cling to feelings of
being unworthy, unlovable or damaged, we invite
experiences into our lives that mirror these
negative self beliefs.
No matter what you try, the painful memories
weigh you down.  But today this changes.   It is
within your power to stop the destruction and
change the stories in your head.
Use these 3 ways to acknowledge your pain and
stop beating yourself up inside.

1. OVERCOME BY YOUR TESTIMONY

Tell the truth about what happened to you, it’s
long overdue. Stop lying about the depth of your
pain. Let your guard down to those you love.
Take off the masks you wear and be real--
imperfections and all.
Your testimony about your past will break
through that roadblock in your soul. Studies have
shown that the more truth we tell the less mental
stress and health problems we encounter.
The truth really will set you free.

2. CHANGE YOUR SELF TALK

People learn to treat us by how they see us
treating ourselves.  Talk so good about you that
others know how it should be done!
Healing comes from what you choose to say and
believe about yourself.  Though we never learned
how to speak kindly to ourselves in the past, it is
never too late to change our story.  Challenge
yourself to use “ positive self talk”, that is words
and phrases which inspire and motivate you, to
heal those broken parts in your heart.  Instead of
saying, “but you aren’t good enough”, for
example, immediately turn that to, “look at all
that you have done with so little to start.”

3. TURN  YOUR  STORY AROUND

Pursue what you do well and devote your mental
energy to those passions. Our internal voice
changes in response to our commitment to
positive growth. The strong counselor who listens
compassionately to others isn’t doomed to repeat
a cycle of abuse. A dedicated painter can start to
free himself from the agony of abandonment by
channeling his pain onto the canvas.  Immerse
yourself in activities that highlight your creativity
and inspire you to enjoy life.  The internal abuse
will cease once you powerfully live each day
guided by what you love--not what you are trying
to hide.

Don’t waste another second beating yourself up
inside.  You have seen enough.  You have been
through enough.  Leave the past in the past and
become the stronger you who’s always been
inside.