Going Against Goliath

"Our greatest source of suffering is the lies we tell ourselves."-'The Body Keeps the Score"
Couple this with Dr. Ted Roberts statement, "We have 300-1,000 words per minute going through our minds when we are awake. Up to 80% of that can be negative."
This sheds new light on how and why we become addicted to things. Addictions are simply things to help push out the pain we are going through.

When we are wounded, our trauma based core beliefs give rise to corresponding feelings that operate persistently below our level of awareness. These belief driven feelings influence our behavior and decision making process creating a hidden, yet powerful force that shapes our lives. Dr. Barta from the book Reconnection.

The endogenous reward cycle is where addiction takes place. The brain learns what it really likes and will use it to medicate pain. We all have wounds. If we don't deal with the wounds of life, you will learn to medicate that pain when things poke at those old wounds.

Dissociation is an interesting thing. Mild dissociation can be healthy. This is when you get lost in daydreaming, a beautiful sunset, worship etc. This reduces stress and can spark creativity. It becomes unhealthy when it is used as a protection. To escape pain and causes lack of emotional presence and awareness.

"Don't ask, "Why the addiction?" Ask, "Why all the pain?" Gabor Matte

"Trauma reshapes how we see God...not because He has changed, but because our wounds teach us to expect pain." "Silence can feel like abandonment, stillness can feel like rejection, and waiting can feel like punishment." Dr. Diane Langberg.
We can't help but see God through our traumatized lenses unless we take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and focus on..."...what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." Philippians 4:8 The truth about your identity in Christ and who God made you to be.

"Trauma doesn't mean God is distant. It means your wounds are still speaking louder than His voice. Trauma reshapes how we see God...not because He has changed, but because our wounds have." -Diane Langberg

Beliefs lead to feelings, feelings lead to behaviors. When those beliefs are false beliefs about self, they lead to negative feelings about self, and that leads to unwanted behaviors. When beliefs about self are accurate (biblical and Christ centered) that leads to positive feelings, and those lead to positive behaviors. Its really that simple.

Eleven is the average age that a child is first exposed to p**n, and 94% of children will see p**n by the age of 14. Barna Research (protect your children)

You have 300-1,000 words per minute going through your head while awake. You also have 3 voices in your head. Spirit, Self, Satan. Satan doesn't even have to be clever. He just has to get you to believe lies you already believe about yourself. Then because of the shame that can cause, you turn to an unwanted behavior to make the pain go away. 2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

"Sexual addiction is not about s*x, it is about how you have learned to cope with and medicate the pain and stress in your life." -Dr. Ted Roberts

"All addictive behavior (gambling, p**n, alcohol etc) is driven by shame." -Dr. Ted Roberts
That shame comes from faulty core beliefs about who we are in Christ. -Taun Allman