Healing By Focusing On The Solution And Not The Problem: Abuse And Rejection In The Christian Church Part Seven

In our previous two blogs we discussed the first 3 keys to healing from abuse and rejection in the Christian church. Those keys are:

1. Focus on God’s character and identity

2. Focus on God’s intentions

3. Focus on who you are in Jesus

The first two keys are about fixing our eyes on the truth about God. The third key is about focusing on the truth in ourselves. Now, it’s time for action. In this blog we’ll discuss the fourth key:

4.  Focus on the solution and not the problem

It is so easy to look at our situation or circumstance and focus on the words spoken to us by those who have caused us hurt, pain, and have meant to define and shame us. This promotes in us a desire to take control and self-protect which is the opposite of trusting God. It’s easy to believe the lies and feel condemned. Remember, the Bible tells us differently:

 “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.” Romans 8:1-2 NLT

We must look at issues and situations so that we can identify, discern, and use wisdom. We have to accept what and who we cannot change and make our best decisions accordingly. We are to look through the eyes of hope at the character and intentions of God and stay positive. We cannot look at situations and allow it to dissolve us into fear, shame or negativity. If you continue to focus only on the problem, it will continue to drag you down. This is how experiences corrupt our thinking patterns, core beliefs, expectations, motives, and life and relationship skills.

Remember this promise:

 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NJKV)

We must place our eyes on the solution, the Provider and the Provision. When we remember who we are in God, His character, His identity, and His intentions towards us, we can then come above the problem and see the solution as an overcomer. We can find an answer, and believe that God will make a door where there is no door visible to us yet. When see ourselves as powerful in God, and not powerless, that will help us to focus on the solution and not the problem. Troubles will be overcome eventually, and we will prosper and be exalted in God’s timetable. If that seems slow to us, we must stay focused and endure while trusting Him.

Hold on to these promises:

 “See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted.” Isaiah 52:13 NLT

“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame…A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.” Psalm 34:5, 19-20 NIV

 Dr. Michele

Copyright © 2014 by Dr. Michele Fleming, Ph.D.