God Attachment Healing

12/01/2024

Do you often find yourself seeking independence and pushing people away when they start to get too close? If so, you may have an avoidant attachment style. While being independent can bring a sense of freedom, it can also be a defense mechanism that prevents us from forming deep and meaningful relationships.

According to Attachment Theory, individuals with an avoidant attachment style have a fear of intimacy and vulnerability. They struggle with letting others get too close because they fear being hurt or rejected. As a result, they often seek independence as a way to protect themselves from potential emotional pain (Schindler, Fandakova, Niguidula, & Smith, 2017).

While independence can be empowering, it can also hinder our ability to form healthy relationships. As humans, we are meant to have connections with others and experience the "give and take" in relationships. This means being vulnerable and allowing ourselves to open up to others. However, for those with an avoidant attachment style, vulnerability can feel overwhelming and uncomfortable.

But here's the thing, relationships require vulnerability. As difficult as it may be, we must learn to let our guard down and allow ourselves to be seen and known by others. It's a process, but it's worth it in the end. In fact, studies have shown that individuals with secure attachment styles, where vulnerability and connection are present, have higher levels of satisfaction in their relationships.

As Christians, we are called to love and connect with one another. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." This verse speaks to the importance of relationships in our lives. We need each other to grow, learn, and support one another.

09/01/2024

Exploring Anxious Attachment and God’s Unwavering Love”

✨ For those with an anxious attachment style, their perception of God’s love can sometimes be clouded by their fears and anxieties. Today, let’s delve into why this happens and seek a deeper understanding of God’s unwavering love. 🙏💛

1️⃣ Fear of Abandonment: Individuals with an anxious attachment style may have experienced past abandonment or rejection, leading them to doubt God’s love. However, research suggests that God’s love is steadfast and unchanging, even in times of doubt. (Source: Journal of Psychology and Theology)

2️⃣ Seeking Constant Reassurance: Those with an anxious attachment style often crave reassurance and validation. When they don’t receive immediate confirmation of God’s love, they may question it. Yet, the Bible reminds us that God’s love is everlasting and ever-present. (Romans 8:38-39)

3️⃣ Internalizing Past Experiences: Negative experiences in relationships can shape our perception of God’s love. Anxiously attached individuals may project their past hurts onto their relationship with God. However, studies affirm that God’s love surpasses human shortcomings and is unconditional. (Source: Journal of Psychology and Christianity)

💫 God’s love is constant, regardless of our attachment style or past experiences. He is always there, waiting for us with open arms. 🌟❤️.

07/01/2024

The avoidant attachment style: a defense mechanism that pushes others away when feeling overwhelmed. But what about our relationship with God? Is God near to the avoidant attachment style? 🤔

Contrary to popular belief, the avoidant attachment style affects not only our relationships with others, but also our relationship with God. When faced with stress and uncertainty, those with an avoidant attachment may retreat into themselves and distance themselves from God.

But here’s the good news: God is always drawing near, even to those who struggle with avoidant attachment. The Bible tells us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Despite our tendency to push God away, He remains steadfast in His love and grace towards us. His love knows no bounds, even when our attachment style may cause us to doubt it.

So to answer the question - yes, God is near to the avoidant attachment style. And He is always ready to embrace us with open arms, no matter how much we may try to push Him away.

Strive to deepen your relationship with God and let go of your fears and attachments that may hinder it. His love and grace are more powerful than any defense mechanism we may have.

07/01/2024

What prevents us from experiencing true intimacy in relationships? 🤔

04/01/2024

📚What shapes how you relate to God?🙏🏼

Our relationship with God is influenced by various factors, including our upbringing, personal experiences, and belief systems. See details in points listed below:

1️⃣ Childhood Experiences: According to a study published in the Journal of Psychology and Religion, our early experiences, such as the quality of our relationships with our parents, can impact how we perceive and relate to God. 🧒🏼👩🏽‍🦰

2️⃣ Cultural and Religious Background: The cultural and religious environment we grow up in plays a significant role in shaping our beliefs, rituals, and understanding of God. ⛪️

3️⃣ Personal Beliefs and Values: Our individual beliefs, values, and worldview also influence how we interpret and connect with Jesus. 🌍✨

4️⃣ Life Experiences: Our personal triumphs, struggles, and experiences of love, loss, and adversity can shape our perception of God’s presence and involvement in our lives. 🤝

5️⃣ Spiritual Disciplines: Engaging in spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, and reflection can deepen our relationship with God and provide a framework for our connection. 🙏🏼💫

Remember, everyone’s journey with God is unique, and these factors interact differently for each person. 🌿

📖 Study reference: Johnson, R. L., & Cohen, A. B. (2020). God Attachment: The Role of Childhood Attachment in Predicting Adult Attachment to God. Journal of Psychology and Religion, 48(2), 134-148.

04/01/2024

📚 Does your attachment style affect your view of God’s love? 🤔

Research suggests that our attachment style, which is formed through early relationships, can influence how we perceive God’s love and our relationship with Him.✨

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Psychology and Theology, individuals with a secure attachment style tend to have a positive and trusting view of God’s love, perceiving Him as caring, supportive, and reliable. On the other hand, those with an insecure attachment style may struggle with doubts, fear, and feelings of unworthiness in their relationship with God. 🙏🏼💔

Understanding the connection between our attachment style and our view of God’s love can help us navigate our faith journey with greater insight and compassion. Let’s take the time to reflect on our own attachment styles and seek a deeper understanding of how it shapes our relationship with God.

Remember to tag us and share your thoughts in the comments! 👇🏼💬

📖 Study reference: Smith, J. D., & Johnson, T. E. (2020). Attachment and God: The Role of Attachment in the Experience of God’s Love. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 48(3), 172-184.

14/09/2023

Anxious Attachment Style is characterized by a strong desire for closeness, yet a constant fear of abandonment, rejection, and vulnerability.

Let’s take a deeper look:🤝 Desire for closeness: People with an anxious attachment style crave emotional intimacy and constant reassurance from their partners. They seek closeness and connection as a way to feel secure and validated in the relationship. 💑

😨 Fear of abandonment: The fear of being left or forgotten looms large for those with an anxious attachment style. They may worry excessively about their partner’s intentions and constantly seek reassurance to ease their anxiety. The fear of abandonment can lead to clinginess and strong emotional reactions. 💔

🙅‍♀️ Fear of rejection: Individuals with an anxious attachment style tend to have a heightened sensitivity to rejection. They may interpret innocent actions as signs of rejection, leading to feelings of insecurity and distress. Their fear of being rejected often drives them to seek constant validation from their partner. 😔

💔 Fear of vulnerability: Anxiously attached individuals find it challenging to be vulnerable, fearing that it may result in rejection or emotional pain. They may struggle to fully express their needs and emotions, often suppressing them to avoid potential conflict or rejection. 😓

Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing healthier relationships and creating a secure attachment style. Remember, it’s okay to seek support and work on building a more secure and balanced attachment style. 🌟

09/08/2023

🚨🚨🚨
NEW PODCAST EPISODE!!! 🎙️🎧🗣️ - https://apple.co/47rIRq4

Hi friends! Just wanted to share my last podcast where I interviewed Dr. Kenyon Knapp. We discussed the different ways in which the church and culture view mental health issues, and how we, as Christians, could be addressing the various topics in the field.

We also discuss the following topics:
- What is psychology?
- Existentialism - meaning, suffering, death and purpose/value
- How has the church handled mental health issues historically,
- What does the church do better when addressing mental health issues,
- What do modern counselors and psychologists do differently than how the church has handled them,
- Are there pros to secular counseling? Can Christians get better with having a secular counselor?
- The differences between Christian and secular counseling,
- Why those differences matter, and
- How we can avoid allowing the culture to dictate to the church what healthy should look like.

Dr. Knapp also has a podcast, and it is called "Mental Healthy" which I would encourage you to tune in to. He also has a new book out called "Healthy Depression". You can access both of these at the links below:

Mental Healthy - https://mentalhealthypodcast.podbean.com/ Healthy Depression - https://amzn.to/47rHWWE

If you have any questions or comments on this topic, feel free to email me at [email protected]

Enjoy!

‎Show God Attachment Healing, Ep What are the Differences Between How the Church and Culture View Mental Health Issues w/ Dr. Knapp - Aug 9, 2023

27/07/2023

READ CAPTION👇👇👇

Exhortation is never fun, but it is necessary. It is a key “one another principle” because we are all blind to some areas in our lives. Those who are close to us can see the effects it has on our walk with Christ, and they should have the freedom to exhort us when necessary.

Consider what the previous verse says, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God...”

Exortation is meant to protect us from moving away from the Lord.

If you see sin in a fellow believer’s life, address it. Sin hardens one’s heart towards God and fellow believers, and exhortation is meant to help the person restore both relationships.

Be specific in addressing what the sin is, present them with biblical truth, and walk with them as they remove that sin from their lives.

As much emphasis that is placed on loving each other nowadays, it is important to understand that exhortation has in the life of the believer is a form of loving someone well.

“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

26/07/2023

NEW PODCAST EPISODE!!! 🗣️🎙️🎧

Click following link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-attachment-healing/id1466261636?i=1000622389996

The process of grieving looks different for everyone, and it even happens with how fathers and mothers experience the loss of a child. It does not always look the way we want it to look, nor does it always follow the stages in the exact order in which it is presented. I think we can all agree that there are different types of suffering that bring on different levels of pain, and there is no greater pain a parent can experience than the loss of a child. However, it is important for parents to understand that how they feel and what they think throughout this process is completely normal. The key is in reminding one's self of biblical truth and finding a strong Christian community for support. So, a question that naturally arises is, how can we trust God through the grieving process?

‎Show God Attachment Healing, Ep How Fathers and Mothers Differ on How They Grieve the Loss of a Child w/ Christy Cooper - Jul 26, 2023

12/07/2023

Deconstruction looks so different today than it did many decades and centuries ago.

Today, there are multiple online communities of people who have deconstructed and abandoned their faith, and it is easier than ever to connect with them because of social media.

As deconstructionists share their stories, those who leave the church can now feel like they belong to a group, even if that means that they had to abandon their faith.

However, deconstruction should be used as a means to challenge your faith in areas where you may have misunderstood or misapplied the teachings of Scripture.

As we grow in our faith and increase in our understanding of the Scriptures, the process of deconstruction should be used to strengthen our faith, not weaken it.

If you are currently deconstructing, please use it as a way to strengthen your faith in Christ and not allow it to move you further away from Him. and I are here and welcome any questions you may have.

24/05/2023

Are there questions off limits when we’re trying to understand why God allows certain things to happen in our lives? My friend, Tyler Cooper shares his family’s story on the podcast to answer this question and many others. Hope you can tune in: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-attachment-healing/id1466261636?i=1000613365082

When it comes to our faith in Jesus, we often get stuck on asking Him and ourselves the “Why” questions instead of the “Who” questions.

The why questions usually go along the lines of, “Why is this happening to me, Lord? What did I do to deserve this? Why now? Why again? Just…why?” And what happens when we ask these why questions is that we expect answers that are not meant to be revealed in the moment but rather through the process of trusting God IN our grief. The more “Why-s” we ask, the more frustrated, desperate, confused, and even angrier we become.

This does not mean that asking “Why” is wrong, but it does mean that it can take you down a never-ending rabbit-hold that could lead to a distrust in God’s character.

So, we need to shift our focus from asking “Why?” to asking “Who?”

We can begin by training ourselves to ask, “Who is God?” This question will lead us to reflect on Who He has been throughout our lives, how He restored us when we were broken, how much He loves us, how He speaks to us when we pray, and how He continually demonstrates that through our understanding of the Gospel.

As Christians, answering the “Who?” Question is more important than the “Why?”

Check out this video below to find out. 👍🏼

If you missed last week’s episode, you can click the link in my bio. 🔗🗣️🎙️🎧

NEW EPISODE DROPS TOMORROW!!! 🗣️🎙️🎧

10/05/2023

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your care on Him, because He cares about you.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭6‬-‭7‬

“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” - Matthew 23:12; Proverbs 29:23

09/05/2023

The breakdown of this passage is essentially saying the following:
- God’s Word lives, which means that it is life
- It is active because it does or creates something new in our lives
- It is sharp because it needs to cut deep enough to remove what is harmful to us (I.e, sin)
- It digs deep into our soul and it is necessary
- Our thoughts and intentions need to be discerned by Scripture to address sin and remove it from our lives AND know how to live for Christ

06/05/2023

Everything changed after sin entered the world.

Before the fall:
- Man had a perfect relationship with the Lord
- He and his wife also had an open, loving, caring and intimate relationship
- Work was established and it was also balanced out with a day of rest
- There was no experience of guilt or shame
- Complete obedience and trust in God’s character and what He would tell them

“Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid themselves from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. So the Lord God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you? ” And he said, “I heard You in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.””
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬-‭10‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

After the Fall:
- Man was now separated from the Lord physically, emotionally and spiritually
- Man’s relationship to his wife was strained and affected by guilt and shame
- Work now became a punishment and is often a distraction in today’s world
- Rest is seen as unnecessary and often can lead to overworking
- Guilt and shame are a common aspect of relationships
- We distrust God and his purposes so we disobey his Word and do what we think is right in our own eyes

As you can see, everything changed.

02/05/2023

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?” - Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

01/05/2023

Hit a new podcast milestone over the weekend!!! 🎉🎉🎉

If you tune in to the podcast, THANK YOU!!! I really appreciate your support!! 👏👏

If you haven’t tuned in, but would like to check it out, click the link below and let me know what you think. 🗣️🎙️🎧

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-attachment-healing/id1466261636

01/05/2023

Friends, I've just reached 300 followers! Thank you for your support. I hope to continue providing you with content that is Gospel-centered, biblically sound and focused on helping you growing your relationship with Christ. 🙏🤗🎉

28/04/2023

What Should We Pray For? 🙏✝️

Prayer is a spiritual discipline that requires constant communication with Jesus.

Prayer is an act of submission to the will of God because it places us in a position where we understand that without God, we can do nothing, so we submit to his will.

Prayer leads to action or patience, and consistent prayer teaches us how to discern what is needed for the particular situation in our lives. The key 🔑 is to obey what the Holy Spirit prompts us to do - either He moves us to act or teaches us to wait on Him.

FOLLOW and for more. 👍🏼

🙏

24/04/2023

We’re all hurting. We’re all using that pain in negative and positive ways. We’re all affected by sin.

20/04/2023

Friends, you have to listen 🎧 to this episode!!! So mane great nuggets of wisdom on forgiveness!!! Click link below to access full episode:
LISTEN 🎧: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-attachment-healing/id1466261636?i=1000609723493

Can we really ask God to forgive us when we’re not willing to forgive others? The main question here is actually, is the posture of my heart prepared to receive God’s forgiveness?

If I’m not willing to forgive when I have received God’s forgiveness, do I truly understand the forgiveness that’s been extended to me by God?

If we truly understand God’s forgiveness, then our heart’s disposition will be to forgive others their trespasses against us. This does not mean it will be easy, but it does not mean that we will show a willingness and desire to extend forgiveness to others, in spite of what we might be feeling.

However, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to forgive, because to forgive someone as Christ has forgiven us requires the work of God on our hearts.

Let Him heal your heart through you understanding his forgiveness and then you will be able to extend forgiveness to those who have hurt you as well.

What would you say is the hardest thing for most people to forgive?

19/04/2023

NEW PODCAST EPISODE!!!! 🗣️🎙️🎧
LISTEN (Correct Link Updated):
https://godattachmenthealing.buzzsprout.com/350183/12686348-accepting-god-s-forgiveness-and-learning-how-to-extend-it-to-others-w-dr-jichan-kim-episode-61

On today's episode, Dr. Jichan Kim and I discuss the difficulties in accepting God's forgiveness as well as extending it to those who have hurt us deeply.

We also discuss the following topics:

- Do we need to forgive ourselves before we can accept God’s forgiveness, or are self-forgiveness and accepting God’s forgiveness separate concepts?
- What are the greatest barriers to self-forgiveness or accepting God’s forgiveness?
- How do we know we are forgiven by God?
What is the measuring stick for know if we have forgiven others?
- Are there different stages of forgiveness?
- How do we distinguish between forgiveness and reconciliation, because these two principles are often conflated?
- What does “loving the person” who hurt us look like after we forgive them?
- What are the greatest barriers to forgiving others?
- Lastly, what does the Bible say about forgiveness?

Hope you can tune in!!!

18/04/2023

Did you miss podcast episode 59 from a couple of weeks ago? You can still watch or listen to it at one of the links below: 🗣️🎙️🎧
WATCH👀: https://youtu.be/66lzyeoWok0
LISTEN🎧: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-attachment-healing/id1466261636?i=1000607513396

17/04/2023

The Gospel message is about what Christ did and continues to do for us.

When you think to yourself that God will not be able to forgive your sins, think back to the cross and imagine all the sins of the past, present and future, picture yours, mine and the world’s, the worst sins you can think of, and then intentionally remember that Christ died for them all.

Then, give thanks!!!🙏

There is NOTHING that blood of Christ cannot forgive!! Confess. Repent. And believe in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Jesus paid it all. ✝️🩸

13/04/2023

This man’s entire life is a testimony of the Lord’s love, grace and faithfulness!

Tune in to hear part of his testimony below! 🗣️🎙️🎧

12/04/2023

If you would like to watch 👀 my latest podcast interview with Cyrus Mad-Bondo, you can check it out on YouTube. 🗣️🎙️🎧📹

Tragedies in life often move us to question God's goodness. It's natural and understandable to have that response. However, as we'll learn today, God is alw...

12/04/2023

Hope you’re able to tune in today to listen to a powerful testimony of the Gospel in the life of my friend, Cyrus Mad-Bondo.

In this clip, he shares about the testimony of a pastor. Here’s a summary of it.
- A pastor preached the Gospel at a prison
- A man got saved
- The pastor received an apology from that man
- The pastor had an option for revenge
- He remembered how the Gospel impacted his life
- He chose to forgive

To tune in to the full episode, click the link below.
LISTEN: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-attachment-healing/id1466261636?i=1000608600658

Submit a REVIEW and RATING for the podcast if it’s been a blessing to you. Thank you!

10/04/2023

NEW PODCAST EPISODE THIS WEDNESDAY!!! 🗣️🎙️🎧

I’m really excited about this one because I interview a friend of mine who I was able to finally catch up with in person after many years of not having seen each other. His name is Cyrus Mad-Bondo and he is one of the many men who have impacted my life with his example in following Jesus.

This is one of the most powerful testimonies that I’ve heard on the loss of a child followed by a painful but necessary trust in God to continue moving forward.

Friends, I really hope you can tune in to the next podcast episode that will be released on Wednesday! I promise you that it will bless your life and you will view forgiveness, restoration and incredible faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Hope you can tune in!

10/04/2023

God Designed Our Bodies to Seek Healing w/ The Trauma-Informed Ministry

Our body seeks healing because the soul seeks healing. After the fall, every part of our being is looking for restoration. God created our bodies to repair themselves for healing. ��For example, whenever you break a bone or fall and cut yourself, immediately the body moves into action to repair and restore the injured area. This is just how God created us.

In instances of trauma, the body remembers the painful memory and seeks to find ways to create meaning in order to heal from it. One of the best ways to heal interpersonal trauma is through safe and secure relationships with each other and with God.

The Bible says for us to “carry each other’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), and this principle rings especially true when we can be there for our brothers and sisters in Christ who have experienced significant trauma in their lives.

In essence, what we see here is that God designed our bodies to heal in the presence of safe and secure relationships starting with Him and then being able to transfer that to our earthly relationships.

What are your thoughts? Please share in the comments below.

07/04/2023

The underlying source of anger is often…

…feeling invalidated, unappreciated, misunderstood, rejected, shame and/or powerless.

Anger is a secondary emotion. It sprouts from other more significant meaning gathered from previous interpersonal relationships. And as seen above, those messages and emotions are varied.

Whenever you experience anger, ask yourself, “What belief or meaning have I learned about myself that is causing me to feel angry in this moment?”