- 122
- 15 717
Jolene Underwood
United States
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 15 เม.ย. 2016
Hi there! I'm a trauma & abuse-informed therapist & Christian growth coach who loves seeing you GROW into the person God designed you to be. I help individuals cultivate the courage, character, & connection they need to live an emotionally healthy & spiritually rich LIFE.
To do this, I provide courses, resources, & communities with practical support.
In this space, you’ll find topics related to growth so you can develop who you are & how you show experience LIFE.
After seasons of stress, overwhelm, exhaustion, and/or trauma, you can find a path to living with calm and confidence.
Unleash: Heart & Soul Care Sheets help you experience process pain & life events while growing closer to God.
Growing You is a membership-based growth community providing guided support & a Growth Path.
I also enjoy puzzling, coloring, or adding to my collection of vintage glassware with a 70s flair.
Growth for LIFE Newsletter: joleneunderwood.com/subscribe
To do this, I provide courses, resources, & communities with practical support.
In this space, you’ll find topics related to growth so you can develop who you are & how you show experience LIFE.
After seasons of stress, overwhelm, exhaustion, and/or trauma, you can find a path to living with calm and confidence.
Unleash: Heart & Soul Care Sheets help you experience process pain & life events while growing closer to God.
Growing You is a membership-based growth community providing guided support & a Growth Path.
I also enjoy puzzling, coloring, or adding to my collection of vintage glassware with a 70s flair.
Growth for LIFE Newsletter: joleneunderwood.com/subscribe
Discussing Patterns of Spiritual Abuse & Manipulation (For the Church After Daystar Releases)
This video was initially prompted from the first couple of recordings released by July Roys regarding Daystar's Joni Lamb, Jonathan & Suzy Lamb and Jimmy Evans.
The purpose of this video is to highlight patterns of spiritual abuse with examples drawn from the audio recordings that were released to the public.
This video is meant to be an introductory discussion about a couple of patterns that played out. It is not exhaustive by any means.
If you suspect that you have suffered from spiritual manipulation, I hope you're able to find the support & space you need to gain clarity & experience healing.
___________________________________________________
News & Trauma-Informed Insights:
links.joleneunderwood.com/QzKU
Growing You - Membership Community
Trauma-informed, practical, supportive space for weary Christians ready to develop who you are and how you show up in the world.
links.joleneunderwood.com/OBN5
Unleash: Heart & Soul Care Sheets
links.joleneunderwood.com/NFXd
VIRTUAL Therapy with Jolene (for adults in Texas only) [EMDR]:
cultivatedlifecounseling.online
ENGAGEMENT SPREADS THE WORD: Liking, commenting, sharing, and subscribing helps others find this content. Also, it helps me know what's helpful for you so I can provide more of what you're looking for. If you want to know when new content is available, hit the bell button for notification. ;)
BLOG: joleneunderwood.com
Instagram: thejoleneu
DISCLAIMER: All information provided by Jolene Underwood should be considered for educational purposes only and does not replace working with a qualified therapist or counselor. No advice, insights, or thoughts shared via text or video or other forms of media from Jolene Underwood should be considered therapeutic responses specific to your needs.
Jolene is an LPC-Associate in the state of Texas and is supervised by Tabi Westbrook. She is trained in EMDR and specializes in trauma and emotional/spiritual abuse, as well as personal development & growth.
The purpose of this video is to highlight patterns of spiritual abuse with examples drawn from the audio recordings that were released to the public.
This video is meant to be an introductory discussion about a couple of patterns that played out. It is not exhaustive by any means.
If you suspect that you have suffered from spiritual manipulation, I hope you're able to find the support & space you need to gain clarity & experience healing.
___________________________________________________
News & Trauma-Informed Insights:
links.joleneunderwood.com/QzKU
Growing You - Membership Community
Trauma-informed, practical, supportive space for weary Christians ready to develop who you are and how you show up in the world.
links.joleneunderwood.com/OBN5
Unleash: Heart & Soul Care Sheets
links.joleneunderwood.com/NFXd
VIRTUAL Therapy with Jolene (for adults in Texas only) [EMDR]:
cultivatedlifecounseling.online
ENGAGEMENT SPREADS THE WORD: Liking, commenting, sharing, and subscribing helps others find this content. Also, it helps me know what's helpful for you so I can provide more of what you're looking for. If you want to know when new content is available, hit the bell button for notification. ;)
BLOG: joleneunderwood.com
Instagram: thejoleneu
DISCLAIMER: All information provided by Jolene Underwood should be considered for educational purposes only and does not replace working with a qualified therapist or counselor. No advice, insights, or thoughts shared via text or video or other forms of media from Jolene Underwood should be considered therapeutic responses specific to your needs.
Jolene is an LPC-Associate in the state of Texas and is supervised by Tabi Westbrook. She is trained in EMDR and specializes in trauma and emotional/spiritual abuse, as well as personal development & growth.
มุมมอง: 45
วีดีโอ
5 Keys to Building Emotional Resilience
มุมมอง 317วันที่ผ่านมา
Stressful and traumatic events can quickly overwhelm us or keep us mired in a stuck place where it's difficult to make forward progress. In this video, you'll discover 5 primary factors that contribute to building resilience and protecting yourself against the ongoing effects of stress and trauma. This overview provides a starting place for personal reflection & review. It is not exhaustive, bu...
Why Sharing in Christian Circles Leaves You Feeling Worse (& What You Can Do)
มุมมอง 203หลายเดือนก่อน
Opening up our vulnerable realities with others in Christian circles often leads to advice or correction instead of understanding. We need connection and care, but too often get something else. We've all been there: sharing vulnerably only to be shut down. The message it sends? "I don't matter." Find out more about what's happening in exchanges like this, how it affects your brain and nervous s...
When Trying Something New Doesn't Feel Good
มุมมอง 53หลายเดือนก่อน
Want to stay current on the newest content produced here and elsewhere? Would it be helpful to receive insight & tips that help you breathe again for a vibrant life ahead of you? Be sure to subscribe for email updates with encouragement from Jolene.joleneunderwood.com/subscribe For group coaching, exclusive video content, tips & prompts for personal growth, and community with growth-minded Chri...
Trauma-Informed Practical Help for Weary Christians Who Want to GROW into Who They're Designed to Be
มุมมอง 55หลายเดือนก่อน
True Growth for Christians that embraces inner healing and personal development. If you've tried and tried to do good things, the right things, and all the things you can figure out to do - to feel better, do better, be better, then you may feel exhausted. Maybe confused and disappointed, too. Knowing what to do is one thing, but it's not the transformative thing. Find out how you can gain trac...
Breaking Free from False Guilt [When Setting Boundaries Feels TOUGH]
มุมมอง 1472 หลายเดือนก่อน
Ever feel overwhelmed by guilt when you need to set boundaries? Even when you know you can't help, the false guilt feels heavy. I’ve been there too, and it's hard to navigate those emotions. In this video, we explore how to identify what's really going on inside when you feel this way, and how to gently bring these feelings before Him for clarity and healing. Reflect on your own experiences whi...
How Can I Enter Into Someone's Pain Without Taking it All On Me?
มุมมอง 1183 หลายเดือนก่อน
A member of Growing You asked a question many of us can relate to. It's difficult to be WITH someone in their pain. Yet, God WITH Us (Immanuel) provides a kind of WITHness that brings healing, comfort, and courage. If you want to enter into this space with someone else, or build the skills the do this well, consider the 3 aspects talked about in the video. NOTE: In the video I said something th...
Just How Are We Perfected in Love? (& How Does it Cast Out Fear?)
มุมมอง 1454 หลายเดือนก่อน
For the "good" Christian who wants to live free of anxiety and fear, certain verses can get twisted up so they carry more burden. The distorted meaning makes you responsible to make something happen and blocks the opportunity to experience the way change happens. Find out more about how this works with the verse from I John 4:18. Want to stay current on the newest content produced here and else...
Could This Be Your Missing Piece to Making Progress?
มุมมอง 994 หลายเดือนก่อน
Do you struggle with perfectionism in your journey of personal or professional growth? Does the idea of progress leave you feeling more driven but less peace-filled? In this video, I share 2 different frameworks for how we consider progress and what helps us experience greater capacity for a sustainable process of growth. As you listen, think about what this means for you in the season you're i...
Should I Avoid (People, Places) When I Feel Worse? - (How to Approach Groups when Overwhelmed)
มุมมอง 3456 หลายเดือนก่อน
A member of our growth-focused membership community (Growing You) asked a question I've heard several times. I've also heard variations of this question like, "How do I keep trying a new church when I'm not connecting to people there?" If you've tried to find connection and/or support and it's been challenging, this video highlights a few key things to consider to help you navigate your situati...
How to Handle Anxious Assumptions that Cause You to Misinterpret Other People's Words & Actions
มุมมอง 626 หลายเดือนก่อน
Have you ever felt misunderstood or excluded? What rumbles in your mind when it seems like others are saying or doing things without you? A recent question in our community group echoed the hearts of many of us. I think we've all grappled with interpreting others' actions incorrectly. Misinterpretations can lead to feelings of rejection and isolation, which actually perpetuate difficulties in o...
Growing You: Practical Support to Help You Live Fully and Authentically AS the Person God Designed
มุมมอง 926 หลายเดือนก่อน
Ever feel like you've lost sense of yourself amid life's demands? Or like your efforts never quite measure up, leaving you drained and uncertain? Have you been feeling exhausted and disoriented, unsure of who you are or what you want? Have thoughts of frustration, disappointment, and striving plagued your mind, leaving you disconnected from your true self? I've been there too. I've wrestled wit...
Persevering Through Deferred Dreams [plus updates on What's Ahead]
มุมมอง 799 หลายเดือนก่อน
Do you have an unfulfilled dream? Is it a God-given dream? Is it OK to pursue? What about all the obstacles you face along the way? I've had dreams and visions for nearly a decade that haven't left. They've shifted some as things become clearer. I share these dreams and visions with an update on how they've changed & where it's all headed - for you. While you listen, consider the dreams you've ...
Why would someone say, "I CHOOSE to forgive you?" {Grow With Me: Responding to Your Questions}
มุมมอง 899 หลายเดือนก่อน
Introducing a new series, "Grow With Me" where I respond to questions by exploring possible paths for understanding & growth as they apply to a wider audience. This first episode focuses on forgiveness along with the meaning & message conveyed through our words. Specifically, the difference between saying, "I choose to forgive you" versus "I forgive you." I explored potential meaning behind the...
Rewiring for Growth: The Role of New Experiences in Transformative Change #GrowingYou
มุมมอง 91ปีที่แล้ว
Rewiring for Growth: The Role of New Experiences in Transformative Change #GrowingYou
Simple Way to Develop a Personal Connection with God & Scripture [Cultivate Connection Sheet]
มุมมอง 98ปีที่แล้ว
Simple Way to Develop a Personal Connection with God & Scripture [Cultivate Connection Sheet]
Navigating Life as a Christian Doesn't Have to Be So Exhausting
มุมมอง 121ปีที่แล้ว
Navigating Life as a Christian Doesn't Have to Be So Exhausting
Journey to Freedom with Bob Hamp & Jolene Underwood | Think Differently, Live & Learn Differently
มุมมอง 615ปีที่แล้ว
Journey to Freedom with Bob Hamp & Jolene Underwood | Think Differently, Live & Learn Differently
Why "Stop Playing the Victim" is Terrible Advice [& Why It Doesn't Help]
มุมมอง 328ปีที่แล้ว
Why "Stop Playing the Victim" is Terrible Advice [& Why It Doesn't Help]
When You Feel Let Down by God [Tips for Emotional Honesty as a Christian]
มุมมอง 193ปีที่แล้ว
When You Feel Let Down by God [Tips for Emotional Honesty as a Christian]
What About Blaming And Complaining Keeps You Stuck? (Why & What To Do Instead)
มุมมอง 63ปีที่แล้ว
What About Blaming And Complaining Keeps You Stuck? (Why & What To Do Instead)
When You’re Tired of Trying to Live Right & Not Feeling Right
มุมมอง 45ปีที่แล้ว
When You’re Tired of Trying to Live Right & Not Feeling Right
How To Thrive As A Christian: Understanding Self-stewardship And Soul-stewardship
มุมมอง 120ปีที่แล้ว
How To Thrive As A Christian: Understanding Self-stewardship And Soul-stewardship
An Inside Look at Unleash: Heart & Soul Care Sheets (Processing Life with God) (Part 2)
มุมมอง 239ปีที่แล้ว
An Inside Look at Unleash: Heart & Soul Care Sheets (Processing Life with God) (Part 2)
What are Unleash Heart and Soul Care Sheets? (Part 1)
มุมมอง 334ปีที่แล้ว
What are Unleash Heart and Soul Care Sheets? (Part 1)
An Unlikely Twist to How We Think About Blaming and Complaining
มุมมอง 129ปีที่แล้ว
An Unlikely Twist to How We Think About Blaming and Complaining
Tips for Healing and Recovering From Spiritual Trauma (from a Christian Therapist)
มุมมอง 588ปีที่แล้ว
Tips for Healing and Recovering From Spiritual Trauma (from a Christian Therapist)
Boundaries Help Us Steward Who We Are & How We Live
มุมมอง 137ปีที่แล้ว
Boundaries Help Us Steward Who We Are & How We Live
Comfort As You've Been Comforted (Scriptural Principle with Neuroscience Applications)
มุมมอง 113ปีที่แล้ว
Comfort As You've Been Comforted (Scriptural Principle with Neuroscience Applications)
Why Saying This Hinders Connection with God: "You Just Need To...(Pray, Pray More, Trust God...)"
มุมมอง 83ปีที่แล้ว
Why Saying This Hinders Connection with God: "You Just Need To...(Pray, Pray More, Trust God...)"
This really speaks to me. It is hard to come forward to another human being saying out loud that one needs someting, a friendship or company. Its like the fear of rejection leads to rejection. It is easier and safer to rather crawl back into loneliness, the hurt and the pain, the feeling of being left out and unseen, to the safe space of being alone. Some tools to navigate without always end up taking the shortcut into feeling rejected is really helpful.
Thank you thank you thank you. I was about to reach out to you to ask about your thoughts on «turning the other cheek». I found your channel today and I am so impressed by your honesty and the spiritual journey you have been through. You are saying everything out loud which is real, things that has made it so hard for me to believe in Christianity and the Lord and all. I no longer concider myself a believer because of those things. Turning the other cheek really destroyed my mother and made her unable to protect her children. So again, thank you. Please continue to to comment on everything that is problematic in the practice of ridgid beliefs. Sorry english is not my first language.
This is so true. Thank you for saying this.
I’m kinda curious as to why no one has responded to this presentation🤷🏽 Not sure if it seems as confusing or just the myriad of options available based on the theme. We are limited, yet by the time we think we got our act together then someone comes along and soon we realize, I didn’t 🤔 it all the way through. Back to square #1. Limited information limited reality. It actually boils down to Millions and billions of years theory, or it all began with One then 2 then 4 then only 2 again. Then 3. Regardless of which reality, we adopt, in the end if there is no God then there is no Judgement without Judgement no meaning no meaning no options🤷🏽. Without God, then no Son, no Son of God no redemption, without redemption no hope. Actually when 👁 think about it. Evolution falls flat unless Science disavows it’s belief in “millions of years theory”. Either choice millions or maybe less than say 7,000 years both options leave you with hope or hopelessness. 👁 personally Anchor my faith in thousands instead of millions of years of existence. There is no hope in millions of years, there is no thoughtful conversation in millions of years. However, time and space are limited! So Science is limited, imagination is limited. Of all three deities Christ is the only one that offers redemption, life is short death is long, eternal things are unimaginable. What is most hopeful Evolving over and over for the past millions of years or simply accepting God’s way of escape because there is no hope in a Godless society which is the definition of Evolution. If we only have 77 years on average to make up our minds😱 Please chose wisely because regardless of millions of years. 10 out if 10 people will eventually die. The mysterious ways of life are very short eternity is FOREVER
Just what I needed to hear today. That new first step is hard sometimes. Thanks!
It sure is. I pray your first step is one that helps you gain what ever you need for the next steps.
A huge encouragement at the perfect time! Thank you!
You're so welcome! I'm glad you felt encouraged.
We received this time together with Love. We are processing ways to move forward. Thank you!
Hi Jolene Underwood, Your videos are amazing. I like it. I am a new subscriber to your channel. Can I talk with you?
Hi there, you can send a message via the contact form at joleneunderwood.com/contact. Thank you for the kind words. I'm aware my channel is small at this time.
@@JoleneUnderwood I have sent the message. Please check your contact box.
I can't tell you just HOW MUCH I needed this clarified! Thank you so much! This phrase is so confusing and has made me so ashamed and closed off.
I'm so so glad the video was helpful! It makes sense that the phrase could have left you feeling ashamed and closed off. I hope it doesn't anymore.
Thank you for sharing!
The video is great, but it has a small audience.
Great content! Thank you
So so good! Thank you!! This is what I really need help with 🙏
Perfect timing with those important reminders! I’m meeting with a woman today to minister to about leaving an abusive marriage. It’s a road I have been down. I’m very empathetic but have spent time healing my wounds with therapy and education. In fact, God has been preparing me to coach women in post traumatic growth. Thank you for your insightful videos.
Nancy, I hope the meeting went well. I'm so glad you're taking these steps for yourself and for others. It's not easy work. I pray you can offer support well while attending to your capacity and needs also.
@@JoleneUnderwood, it did go well and I am holding boundaries.
What do you do with the false guilt when you know you don't have the capacity but yet still want to be there for others? Others might feel that you don't want to be there for them....... but that might not be true.
This is a great question, Mary. While I can't offer specific advice here, I think your question relates to something many of us experience. I'd like to provide a few thoughts via a new video. I hope it's helpful.
Thank you!! 💞 This explains so much of my reactions in recieving love or kindness from someone!!
Hello, how are you, my friend, Thanks for sharing the video very very good video.
Your video quality is so beautiful.
Thank you so much Jolene for humbly sharing your own growth experiences and encouraging us to do so also. I am celebrating today because I am becoming increasingly more aware that my need to please others actually hinders me from truly loving them. Eventhough I have been aware of this, I couldn't figure out why I haven't made progress. This week I have realized that my ability to reach out with authentic love is still paralyzed by the fear that my love gift is not seen as adequate. Yesterday I finally decided to love in the faith that the holy spirit is alive in me and will guide me and bless the gift. I truly acted in faith when I prepared a meal to host two couples who are friends to us, but I had never invited them for a meal. They did not know each other but I knew that they would likely have enough in common. My husband and I were both blessed by the evening together with our friends. For me, the key was how much I enjoyed the entire process of cooking and preparing because I finally put aside my fear of not measuring up and focussed instead on the love of our Lord and Saviour working in me and through me. Praise be to God for the people like you who love Him and encourage and inspire others like me. Thank you Jolene for inviting us to celebrate and to share!!!!
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful series of events to celebrate!! I love it so much. You noticed a pattern that hinders deeper connections with others, then leaned into God's guidance for the next steps, AND had several growth experiences throughout the process. YES!! I celebrate all of this with you. Thank you so much for sharing.
celebrate my thought process in my interactions with friends. i.e. positive mutual respect.
What an enriching thing to celebrate, James! I love this. 🙌
We can't know what others are thinking. They say if you're in someone else's mind, you're out of your own. What about....rejection is Gods protection. Sometimes if you confront people they may lie about it too, you'll never really know. Look for patterns with people and trust your discernment. People are very complicated.
Thanks for sharing, Mary. Have any of these thoughts been particularly helpful for you?
Church sometimes is a clique. And.....gossipy and judgmental. I don't trust the whole thing. Nevertheless..... Jesus is King!
Thank you for speaking directly to me. I was just journaling and praying and you popped up on my phone. Thank you
I'm so glad it was a helpful message when you needed it. I love it when that happens. ❤
Thanks for this inspirational message and giving us something that we all can relate to thank you
You are so welcome! Glad to meet you here. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I thought it was really helpful when you said to look at the facts first. This video really helped me. God bless you
I went to a church in my smallish town as a new widower, and not a single person expressed any interest or concern, and no one asked me to go for coffee or lunch, even though I was really friendly and (I hope) engaging. It’s a lot sadder being alone in a church full of other Christians than to be alone by myself. So I’ve chosen the latter.
not all Christians are good people sadly. and not all people go to Church for the right reasons.
When I read this my heart feels a little heavier, because I know it's difficult and far too common of an experience. I hope you can find community where you're encouraged and experience connection.
I liked you from the first second. Hope you keep uploading more. Believe you have a lot to share. If you build it, they will come.
Thank you so much for your kind words!
Hes let me down for over 35yrs. Im beiving in myself from now on. Belieing and waiting on this imaginary invisible person at this point is fn dimb
I love all of this! Your heart for people is so genuine. Keep going!
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. :)
you nailed it for me and I'm a tangled mess inside, so can see more clearly I do have 'shame' and self condemnation . Your words on this topic is very helpful as I continue to 'heal'. Thank you so much for taking this time to address this topic.
I’m in process. This dialogue that you present opens Lots of Revelation for my growth, Especially (not limited to) the pause. Your reflections hit to the bone. Very personal helpful. Any/all platforms you use Will Glorify God and His mercy.
Thank you so much for sharing & for your kind words, Jim.
Thank you for this time with us, and I see it as God's direction in my life. Recently, the Lord took my husband home, and the emptiness is huge. It is a time of reflection and as I look back and see my lifestyle, I identify with you...longing to live for the Lord, not saying no to the point of exhaustion. The reminder that God's Spirit understands, and leads means that creating boundaries is possible even now. It's not to late to recognize overload and its causes. Family life goes on with two teens here at home who stimulate conversation and appreciate all that is done for them. The next steps are before us and your encouragement to think, to see the past pattern, and to set limits is very helpful. May God continue to show you the way to go as you share online. Proverbs 3,5, 6 finds its application here. Warmest thoughts and appreciation, Jeanne
This made so much sense to me. I’ve also spent my life wondering what my “gifts” were. Just in hearing this, I’ve realized that some of my gifts are boldness, resilience, compassion…which can be used to serve in different ways. I’m 23 minutes in and will come back to finish. But so full already. Thanks!
OOOH, I love that, Bonnie! Thanks for sharing what you noticed as your gifts and how they can be used well.
I appreciate you sharing this perspective. I definitely feel that I'm holding onto resentment due to spiritual abuse. The church caused my parents to believe treatment for mental illness was wrong, and even when I was diagnosed by a professional with PTSD as a child, they didn't permit me to be treated. I'm working on letting go of the "what if"s and grounding into the now, even if it isn't what I'd hoped.
25minutes into this wonderful sharing. I need to 1. Stop and say your spot on for my life. 2. Stop and say good night. I plan to continue tmrw am. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, James. Taking a break from the content & coming back to it sounds like a helpful plan! I hope the message continues to be helpful.
Oh my goodness me, your explaining me
I hope the message was helpful & encouraging for you, Christina.
Im a married woman dealing with a husband with strong narcissistic traits...i experience the cycles year to year of love bombing, loneliness, lack of empathy and devaluing. Ive developed interesting body reactions like shivering and anxiety when interacting in arguments with him. Im now learning about what to do n what not to do which is helping me. What are your thoughts on coping strategies in a marriage? I think divorce is like a woman tearing her house down. Can you make a video on these matters in relation to bible verses about women being wise and obedient?
I wasn't in a group and sadly didn't know of your group earlier in my walk...so growing and being transformed was very uncomfortable...and felt like trying to figure out how to be Christlike and find myself in Christ and be at rest by feeling around blindfolded in the dark...relying solely on Gods conviction when i did or said things...which is difficult enough because the nudges get skewed by your own human thoughts and feelings
Now I feel a lot more grounded... I used a combination of deliverance of demons, psychology to guide my repentance and prayer to God which often led to deliverance
Outstanding! I am so happy I found your channel. I subscribed and now look forward to more of your content. Thank you.
Hi, Tad! I'm glad to connect with you here!
Bless you my dear❤❤❤❤❤
Love all your practical tips!
I love that you're tackling this topic and from such a kind and welcoming place. These statements can hurt.
Thank you, Jen. My goal is to convey these messages in a way that helps us reflect & consider the words we use toward others and for ourselves, so we can experience something good.
What a great exercise and what a wonderful message of hope that adds a tool to my toolbox. In our family we blow a kiss at one another and the receiver "catches it" and pats it physically on their chest, symbolizing that they are internalizing it into their heart. So, this exercise really resonated with me. Thank you for a wonderful message of hope. Keep going, Jolene!
Your live broadcast came through picture perfect. Responding so you know that the comment portion works
Fantastic! That's so good to hear. Thank you!
New Subscriber. So much widdom to chew on, I hope you will make spin off videos expanding of each of these points.
Thank you for the feedback. I'm definitely considering new videos that dive into each concept further. Great idea!
good teaching. Needed this
For help facilitating soul care as a Christian, use Unleash: Heart & Soul Care Sheets. Find out more at: joleneunderwood.com/Unleash For help in community, with growth-minded and growth-oriented Christians AND Jolene's trauma-informed coaching, join Cultivate Together. joleneunderwood.com/cultivatetogether
I was abused as a child, became my mothers mother when I was very young. Lost 3 family members in 2 years as teenager, took care of other people all my life, was abused as an adult, was 24/7/365 caregiver to my mother for 10 years. In the two years before she died, I lost 2 uncles, three aunts, and two cousins. My mom's illness used up all my savings, IRAs. When she died, I had no family, very little money, no job, a health issue, and severe depression and anxiety. I started going to a new church. I didn’t volunteer my story but in answer to questions at a ladies Bible study, most of it came out. (Keep in mind, my mom had been dead only a few months) I was told to stop playing the victim, stop feeling sorry for myself, depression was caused by not praying and reading the Bible enough, to get over myself bc everyone has problems, and more. I left that church but my depression spiraled out of control bc now it seemed to be my own fault. Thoughts of suicide. God helped me find a better place with supportive people and some Christian counseling so I am getting better. But I will never forget how it felt to be kicked when I was already down. If we can't find the empathy to help others, we could at least not hurt them more. The ironic part: when I was being counseled, my counselor told me that I needed to face the fact that I had truly been a victim bc I could not start healing until I accepted that everything done to me was not ok, that I had not deserved it. He was right, that's when the healing started. I'm still on the path, I haven't a counselor anymore, but I have God.