Healing from Religious Abuse (with Philip Yancey) - Ep. 74

10/05/21 • 32 min

Philip Yancey’s fire-and-brimstone fundamentalist upbringing temporarily drove him from the church. In this environment, where he learned to play the part, his identity became confused. By the time he reached college, his pain turned to anger and religious mockery, which only led to further rejection. Others viewed him as the rebel, the outcast, the trouble-maker.
But God penetrated the walls he had built around himself, helped him untangle all the falsehoods he’d learned from truth, and set him on a road of healing and freedom. In this episode, Yancey shares his journey, his heart for those who have been deeply hurt in the name of religion, as well as some insights as to how those who haven’t experienced this such trauma can be instruments of healing for those who have.
Find Philip Yancey at:
https://philipyancey.com
https://www.facebook.com/PhilipYancey
https://twitter.com/philipyancey
Find his latest release, a memoir, Where the Light Fell, here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/665644/where-the-light-fell-by-philip-yancey/
Find Jennifer:
https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte
https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/
Find Wholly Loved, at:
https://www.WhollyLoved.com
Join the private Faith Over Fear Group Here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/442736966614671
Group Discussion Questions:
1. What stood out to you most in Yancey’s story?
2. When have past hurts hindered your ability to connect with Christ?
3. Why is it important to remain alert to the potential hurts beneath a person’s outward, potentially even abrasive, behavior?
4. Do you have anyone you can be completely honest with regarding your struggles, questions and doubts?
5. What are some ways we might inadvertently shut those with questions or doubts down?
6. If you are currently in a faith group, consider the climate. How does (or might) your group members respond if another member expresses questions or doubt?
7. In what ways are you currently helping to create safe environments where people can be vulnerable and authentic?
8. If you have been hurt by the church, what are your thoughts to Yancey’s statement regarding not allowing broken people to stand between you and God?
9. If you currently are part of a faith community, how readily does your group acknowledge and apologize for hurts they have caused (knowing we all cause hurt, whether intentionally or unintentionally)?
10. What is one step God is asking you to take after having listened to today’s podcast?
Episode Image Credit: Getty/Zubada

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Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Previous Episode

The Courage to Seek Counseling – Ep. 73

In this episode, we are countering lies related to mental health.
Unfortunately, many people hold a lot of misunderstandings and misinformation related to mental health. These falsehoods can lead to confusion, cause people from getting the help they need and to feel ashamed when they do get help. In this episode, Jennifer Slattery expels some of the more common lies she’s heard over the years, helping listeners make informed decisions in their freedom journey
Find Jennifer:
https://jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com
https://www.facebook.com/JenSlatte
https://www.instagram.com/slatteryjennifer/
Find Wholly Loved, at:
https://www.WhollyLoved.com
Join the private Faith Over Fear Group Here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/442736966614671
Group Discussion Questions:
1. What is your experience with mental health professionals?
2. Consider your social circle. How many of your friends and family members have sought counseling? How has this affected your view of mental health professionals?
3. What lie mentioned in today’s episode do you find most personally inhibiting? Why is this?
4. Which point discussed in today’s episode most intrigued you? Why?
5. In what ways does God’s interaction with the prophet Elijah encourage you in your struggle?
6. How easy or challenging is it/or would it be/for you to tell others you are or have gone to counseling, and why do you think this is?
7. What is your next action step regarding your own mental health journey?
Episode Image Credit: Getty/Ponomariova_Maria

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Next Episode

Introducing: Reframed The Power of Perspective

**Note to our Listeners! If you love listening to "Faith Over Fear" we want to introduce you to a new LifeAudio podcast we think you'll enjoy: "Reframed: The Power of Perspective." We're dropping the first episode in your feed this morning. If you like it and want to listen to more, just search for "Reframed: The Power of Perspective" in your favorite podcast app.
A.W. Tozer once stated, “What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This is the Power of Perspective. Each of us has a unique outlook that shapes our view of God, ourselves, and the world. A perspective is simply a specific viewpoint. Much like a camera, a perspective is built upon a unique frame, focus, and filter. The most powerful aspect of one’s perspective is that it directly orients their thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and behaviors.
The 3 Parts of Our Perspective:
1. A Frame - Much like the frame of the camera, our perspective works within the limitations of the knowledge available to us. It’s within this frame we see only what is within our perception, unaware of what is right outside the border.
2. A Filter - This is our internal bias. This is made up of our past experiences or our personal values, which greatly influence how we see the world, ourselves, others, and God. Filters significantly impact our perspective, what is seen or not seen.
3. A Focus - This is the most important aspect of forming our perspective. It is largely influenced by the messages we have received in the past, our formative experiences. Unfortunately, our perspectives are not always grounded in truth and often fueled by distortion, irrational beliefs, and distortions.
In this first episode of the podcast, Carley shares her own personal journey of faith and her passion for creating connections between biblical theology and the practical steps found in the themes of therapy.
If know our perspectives are often distorted, what do we do? How do we realign our faith and our feelings? This is where reframing our thoughts is so vitally important. Carley unpacks how can we begin to do this in our daily lives.
Follow Carley:
Website | Instagram | Facebook
Episode Image Credit: Getty/Iland19

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.