Wounds Of The Spirit

A collection of first-person accounts documenting a historical legacy of violence against black women in the U.S. In Wounds of the Spirit, Traci West employs first person accounts-from slave narratives to contemporary interviews to Tina Turner's autobiography-to document a historical legacy of violence against black women in the United States. West, a black feminist Christian ethicist, situates spiritual matters within a discussion of the psycho-social impact of intimate assault against African American women. Distinctive for its treatment of the role of the church in response to violence against African American women, the book identifies specific social mechanisms which contribute to the reproduction of intimate violence. West insists that cultural beliefs as well as institutional practices must be altered if we are to combat the reproduction of violence, and suggests methods of resistance which can be utilized by victim-survivors, those in the helping professions, and the church. Interrogating the dynamics of black women's experiences of emotional and spiritual trauma through the diverse disciplines of psychology, sociology, and theology, this important work will be of interest and practical use to those in women's studies, African American studies, Christian ethics, feminist and womanist theology, women's health, family counseling, and pastoral care.

Most people get hurt and suffer painful memories as a result of living in an imperfect world. But God's original plan for humanity included spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational wholeness. Through the example of Jesus, who heals from the inside out, readers will learn how to experience this wholeness and assist in the healing of others. Let Jesus Heal Your Hidden Wounds speaks to the individual who wants to be or already is involved in healing ministry. This is not another technique for doing healing, but a description of how the prayer minister cooperates with the Holy Spirit to bring healing and deliverance to people with hidden wounds. Each chapter includes several questions for use in a Bible study setting or to provoke further personal reflection. Those called to healing ministries will be taken to a new level of understanding and greater effectiveness from reading and studying this book. And those with hidden wounds will find new hope for restoration and freedom.

Trauma therapist Teresa B. Pasquale offers healing exercises, true-life examples, and life-giving discussion for anyone suffering from the very real pain of church hurt. Pasquale, a trauma survivor herself, understands the immeasurable value of our wounds once we've acknowledged them and recovered in community. That's why the wounds are "sacred," and the hope this book offers is a powerful message to anyone suffering from this widespread problem. This book explores the nature of emotional wounds, trauma, and spiritual hurt that come from negative religious experience. Some of the features are: Stories from a wide range of persons hurt by negative religious experience Healing and contemplative practices to help readers explore their own spiritual story and practical ways to move towards personal healing A journey through the experience of trauma in religious settings and how it is both relatable to other forms of trauma and distinctive -- outlining both facets An exploration of the author's own personal and professional understanding of hurt, trauma, PTSD, and the power of resiliency and healing

Comfort for the Wounded Spirit is a message of hope and healing for those "who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed and broken by calamity" (Luke 4:18). The authors show how deliverance from unclean spirits and the healing of inner wounds are separate yet companion ministries. You will discover: How one's spirit is wounded Symptoms of the wounded spirit Five biblical examples of the wounded spirit Comfort as THE way of healing Where comfort is found How to receive healing and comfort Find rest and peace for your souls through the ministry of Jesus Christ "

Healing the Wounded Spriit is for everyone who suffers from hurts--past or present. Through this book, God can help you to discern a wounded spirit in yourself and others, and, best of all, He will show you how to receive His healing power in your life

The health of your soul is connected to your physical life. A career criminal most of her life, Souza was sent to federal prison to serve almost twelve years. While serving her sentence, she encountered God in a way that dramatically changed her life. Now an outspoken advocate for Jesus, she helps readers find a pathway to healing and receive the blessings God is pouring out.

An effective plan to help those suffering from wounds inflicted by the church find spiritual healing and a renewed sense of faith. Raised as a conservative Christian, minister and author Carol Howard Merritt discovered that the traditional institutions she grew up in inflicted great pain and suffering on others. Though she loved the spirituality the church provided, she knew that, because of sexism, homophobia, and manipulative religious politics, established religious institutions weren’t always holy or safe. Instead of offering refuge, these institutions have betrayed people’s hearts and souls. “People have suffered religious abuse,” she writes, “which can be different from physical injury or psychological trauma.” Though participation and affiliation in traditional religious institutions is waning, many people still believe in God. Merritt contends that many leave the church because they have lost trust in the institution, not in God. Healing Spiritual Wounds addresses the church’s dichotomous image—as a safe space and as a dangerous place—and provides a way to restore personal faith and connection to God for those who have been hurt or betrayed by established institutions of faith. Merritt lays out a multistage plan for moving from pain to spiritual rebirth, from recovering theological and emotional shards to recovering communal wholeness. Merritt does not sugarcoat the wrongs institutions long seen as trustworthy have inflicted on many innocent victims. Sympathetic, understanding, and deeply positive, she offers hope and a way to help them heal and reclaim the spiritual joy that can make them whole again.

A radically fresh interpretation of how we can best serve others from the bestselling author of The Return of the Prodigal Son, hailed as “one of the world’s greatest spiritual writers” by Christianity Today “In our own woundedness, we can become a source of life for others.” In this hope-filled and profoundly simple book, Henri Nouwen inspires devoted men and women who want to be of service in their church or community but who have found traditional outreach alienating and ineffective. Weaving keen cultural analysis with his psychological and religious insights, Nouwen presents a balanced and creative theology of service that begins with the realization of fundamental woundedness in human nature. According to Nouwen, ministers are called to identify the suffering in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting point of their service. Ministers must be willing to go beyond their professional, somewhat aloof roles and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering as those they serve. In other words, we heal from our wounds. The Wounded Healer is a thoughtful and insightful guide that will be welcomed by anyone engaged in the service of others.

The author offers seventeen short chapters dealing with such issues as children, finances, and relatives, but also with spiritual concerns such as fear, guilt, and forgiveness. Accompanying prayers invite readers to surrender their sorrow to God.

A poor self-image. Chronic depression. A bitter divorce. The trauma of sexual abuse. Why do some wounds fester and refuse to heal, even after we seek help from those who specialize in treating deep emotional pain? Kraft believes that in order to experience real and lasting freedom from a painful past, we must understand the powerful link between spiritual warfare and inner healing. It is only when we recognize and reject the enemy's influence on our most hurtful memories that we can receive complete restoration in mind, heart, and spirit. Deep Wounds, Deep Healing is a complete guide to deep-level healing. Whether readers are seeking restoration for themselves or for those under their care, this book will enable them to recognize the spiritual roots of emotional wounds and invite God's presence into those darkest of places. His power is the hope of freedom and inner healing.