”We need to have spaces inside ourselves where we can have a feeling, an impulse, or a desire, without acting it out. We need self-control without repression.”- Henry Cloud and John Townsend, Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life
“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.”- Romans 12:2 (MSG)
Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller continue Chapter 2 of Boundaries for Your Soul as they note that, to a certain extent, your body and soul possess a remarkable abililty to heal themselves. It’s a blessing from your Creator. Yet, you need the Holy Spirit for a more powerful journey toward wholeness.
In The Inner Voice of Love, Henri Nouwen described that place in your soul where you obtain clear perspective. A place where you gather your thoughts and desires, holding them together in truth. It’s a place where your emotions, passions, and feeling don’t compete for control. Mr. Nouwen writes:
“You have to trust that there is another place . . . where you can be safe. Maybe it’s wrong to think about this new place as beyond emotions, passions, feelings. Beyond could suggest that these human sentiments are absent there. Instead, try thinking about this place as the core of your being — your heart, where all human sentiments are held together in truth. From this place, you can feel, think, and act truthfully.
As a result, in this space inside your Spirit-led self holds you together in truth. From there you either draw your troubling emotion closer or ask it to step back. In this way, you develop perspective.
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you develop self-control without repression? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Attuning to the challenging aspects of your soul”
