“Think of your (soul) protectors as falling into one of two categories: managers and firefighters. Both work tirelessly, though in different ways, trying to protect you from the overwhelming feelings of the most vulnerable parts of your soul.”- Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller
In Chapter 3 (“Three Parts of You”) of Boundaries for Your Soul, Alison Cook and Kimberly Miller discuss the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model developed by psychologist Richard C. Schwartz. Starting in the 1990s, Mr. Schwartz noticed that people tend to talk about themselves in terms of parts. Furthermore, they stated, each part possesses distinct thoughts, feelings, and character traits. Like individual members of a family. Also, each part carries its own narrative in regard to its role in the person’s inner world.
In addition, Alison and Kimberly indicate, the IFS evidence-based model:
- provides a helpful way of categorizing the distinctive parts within the human soul
- suggests a step-by-step approach to leading them into their most valuable states
Most noteworthy, the authors, stress, Boundaries for Your Soul integrates concepts from the IFS model with viewing popular boundaries principles through a Christian lens. And just as God created you with unique physical traits, He also endowed you with different parts of your soul. These parts develop gradually, over time.
Yet, Alison and Kim contend, the goal isn’t to get rid of your soul’s hurt, rejected, or traumatized parts. For one thing, that’s impossible. Rather, the goal revolves around helping those parts heal, grow, and discover their God-given values.
Finally, the authors first look at the parts of your soul working to keep you from pain – protectors. Accustomed to being in charge, protectors are front and center in your life. When protectors function within healthy boundaries, life’s good. However, when they take over, they brush your Spirit-led self aside. You lose perspective.
In the next blog, Alison and Kim look at two categories of protectors – managers and firefighters.
Today’s question: Do your soul protectors help or harm you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The human soul’s mosaic nature”
