Wired for Healing: The Impact of Trauma on the Brain

How Trauma Affects the Brain

childhood trauma and anxiety

Touch of God is a Ministry of Healing and Deliverance to set the captives free from traumatic events.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn How Trauma and Anxiety Affect the Brain?

As human beings, we all experience moments of trauma and anxiety throughout our lives. These can be caused by a variety of factors, such as losing a loved one, going through a difficult breakup, or experiencing a traumatic event. But have you ever wondered how these experiences actually affect our brains? Let's dive into the fascinating world of neurobiology and explore the impact of trauma and anxiety on the brain.

Understanding the Brain's Response to Trauma and Anxiety

When we experience trauma or intense anxiety, our brains go into what is commonly known as "fight or flight" mode. This primal response is designed to protect us from danger by releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare our bodies to either combat the threat head-on or flee to safety.
However, when this response is triggered repeatedly or for prolonged periods of time, it can have detrimental effects on our brains. Chronic stress can lead to changes in the structure and function of the brain, particularly in areas responsible for memory, emotions, and decision-making.

The Impact of Trauma on Brain Function

Trauma, whether physical or emotional, can have lasting effects on the brain. Studies have shown that individuals who have experienced trauma may have smaller hippocampal volumes, which can affect their ability to regulate emotions and form new memories.
Additionally, trauma can lead to an overactive amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. This can result in heightened fear responses and an increased risk of developing anxiety disorders.

How Anxiety Alters Brain Chemistry

Anxiety, on the other hand, can disrupt the delicate balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. Imbalances in neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine can lead to symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.
Chronic anxiety has also been linked to changes in the structure of the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making and impulse control. When the prefrontal cortex is compromised, individuals may struggle to regulate their emotions and behavior.

Reversing the Effects of Trauma and Anxiety on the Brain

While the effects of trauma and anxiety on the brain may seem daunting, there are ways to mitigate their impact. Therapy, mindfulness practices, and relaxation techniques have been shown to help individuals rewire their brains and foster resilience.
Engaging in regular exercise, getting an adequate amount of sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet can also support brain health and promote emotional well-being. By caring for our physical and mental health, we can build a strong foundation for healing and growth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, trauma and anxiety can have profound effects on the brain, disrupting its structure and function. By understanding how these experiences impact our brains, we can take proactive steps to support our mental health and well-being. Remember, it is never too late to seek help and begin the journey toward healing. Take care of your brain, and it will take care of you.

Coach Teresa Morin, Anxious2Victorious Women 12-Week Program - Learn how to Break Anxiety Cycle

Forgiving someone who hurt you

Learn Why Forgiving Someone Who Hurt You is Important

How to forgive when you are still angry and hurt

Do you go around feeling hurt and rejected? Do you struggle with anger and unforgiveness? How to handle hurt from someone in a relationship.

Does it seem like someone else has said or done something that hurts your feelings every time you turn around? Are you ready to call or email someone and tell them who broke you? Do you keep a list of rebukes you plan to share with that person as soon as you get that prime opportunity? When you lay down to try and sleep, are the events that hurt your feelings repeated in your mind? Is there someone you cannot get out of your head? Do you suddenly become angry when you see or think of a specific person?

If so, you’re not alone. I have struggled with that feeling. I know how that feels. There have been nights when I have tossed and turned, unable to sleep because I was so angry and bitter at what someone did or said. It’s miserable. It’s hard. It’s exhausting. It does damage to the soul, mind, and body. It seems so unfair as it goes on and on.

I recall going for long stretches where I would wait until someone made something right with me again. I’d hold back being friendly and sometimes refuse to speak with them. What a mess that is. I can’t recall many times when someone came back to me and apologized to make it right. It rarely happens. I'm in big trouble if my well-being hinges on someone apologizing and making something right again. I thank God that this is not the case. There is hope for all of us who suffer this way.

It was the strangest thing. A few years ago, I was all bent out of shape worrying over several personal situations when my urge to feel vindicated suddenly drove me to read God’s Word. I wanted to take God’s Word and find passages that proved my right and someone else's wrong. Sad, isn’t it? Though sad as my intentions were, I’m glad I read God’s Word. God knew me and knew how to use that situation to teach me what the cure for feeling hurt really is. Please pay attention to whether what I went through sounds familiar to you. Here is what I learned.

Love Soothes Hurt Feelings

"And above all things have fervent love to yourselves, for love will cover many sins. Be hospitable to one another, without grudging; each one as he received a gift, ministering it to yourselves as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." (1st Peter 4:8-10 MKJV)

"And most of all be warm in your love for one another; because in love there is forgiveness for sins without number. Keep open house for all with a glad heart; distribute among one another whatever has been given to you, like true servants of the unmeasured grace of God." (1st Peter 4:8-10 Bible In Basic English).

"If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? If others enjoy this right over you, don't we have a stronger claim? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with everything in order not to put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ." (1st Corinthians 9:11-12 ISV)

I have yet to meet a person who did not ever sin or whom I did not disagree with on something. If I have a relationship with any person, it’s practically guaranteed that they will eventually do or say something to which I could take offense. It happens. It will always happen. Realistically, we should expect it to happen and be prepared to deal with it in a way that will heal and cure us of those offended feelings. 

God’s Word tells us to love one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins/offenses. If we do our part and are willing to put up with them, whatever they do or say to us will be covered over by OUR love for those who hurt our feelings.

How to forgive someone who hurt you in a relationship

" False balances are hateful to Jehovah; but a just weight is His delight. Pride comes, then shame comes; but with the lowly is wisdom."  (Proverbs 11:1-2 MKJV)

"He who handles a matter wisely shall find good, and whoever trusts in Jehovah, happy is he." (Proverbs 16:20 MKJV)

"Before shattering, the heart of man is proud, and before honor is humility." (Proverbs 18:12 MKJV)

"Likewise, younger ones, be subject to older ones, and all being subject to one another. Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble. Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you. Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour; whom firmly resist in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions in the world are being completed in your brotherhood." (1st Peter 5:5-9 MKJV)

According to Proverbs 18:12, broken hearts are caused by pride. Not by the pride of the person who hurt us but rather by our personal pride. So, if you’re complaining that someone broke your heart, you may want to consider humbling yourself! Sure, humble people get hurt a lot, but they do not continue suffering from brokenness like prideful people.

According to 1st Peter 5:5, we are each subject to other persons. Where I work, I am subject to what my boss tells me to do. So long as his orders are not immoral, illegal, or might cause harm to the company, I have to obey. It’s the same thing where I go to church. The pastor has authority over me there, too. As her husband, my wife is subject to me. The purpose of humility is just. Just as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, we, too, must serve one another. 

This is Biblical, so it must be taken seriously and applied rightly. Christ-like submission pleases the Lord. We should stop behaving so proudly and learn to submit to the authorities God has placed above us. If someone tells you they only have to answer to God for what they do and say, observe them closely. If it isn't broken already, you’re about to see someone’s heart get shattered.

A Right Relationship with Jesus Makes All Things Right

"Then Jesus came to Nazareth, where he had been raised. As was his custom, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day. When he stood up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling the scroll, he found where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to announce release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to set oppressed people free, and to announce the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, returned it to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he told them, "Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."  (Luke 4:16-21 ISV)

Praise the Lord, O my soul; let not all his blessings go from your memory. He has forgiveness for all your sins; he takes away all your diseases; He keeps back your life from destruction, crowning you with mercy and grace. He makes your mouth full of good things so that your strength is made new again like the eagle's. The Lord gives decisions in righteousness for all who are in trouble. He gave knowledge of his way to Moses and made his acts clear to the children of Israel. The Lord is kind and full of pity, not quickly made angry, but ever ready to have mercy. (Psalm 103:2-8 Bible In Basic English).

"For if you forgive people their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses."  (Matthew 6:14-15 ISV)

Going back to my own personal situation, as I mentioned earlier, my search for God’s Word to prove myself right ended up exposing how wrong I really was. Don’t you just love it when God allows that to happen? What I learned was that my hurt feelings were allowed to stay and harass me simply because I unknowingly had allowed them to replace Jesus on the throne of my heart. 

At that time, my mind was not on Jesus. My thoughts were selfish. I focused on all of my hurt feelings. I had allowed my hurt feelings and thoughts of retaliation to take prominence over my thoughts of Christ and my service to Him. Oh, wonder I suffered so much! Jesus could not access and heal me of these things because my wicked desires had brushed Him aside. Eventually, I began to see this and came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit regarding MY sins that I had committed against Him. 

One reason I felt so miserable was because unforgiven sins cause us to be unfortunate persons. I had overlooked this! I learned that God does not bless unforgiven persons with peace of mind. God would be cruel to bless me when I had unforgiven sin in my life. In other words, I could have remained fat, dumb, happy, and lost had not God cursed sin. God loves me. God loves you, too. God wants us to have eternal life with Him. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. By His stripes, we are genuinely healed of our hurt feelings. The catch, though, is that we, too, must be willing to extend this forgiveness we receive to other persons. We MUST forgive, or else there will be no forgiveness for us.

Once I realized that I was bringing most of this on top of my own head, I began focusing on the example Jesus gave us. I started trying to forgive people as He does. By the time I had figured all of this out, it was hard for me to do. It is hard but not impossible since, with Christ, all things are made possible. I began working through practical steps of faith that expressed my desire to forgive. I trusted the Lord and took Him at His Word. The Lord honored this. He always honors this when our hearts are humbled before Him. It was not immediate, but not very long before I noticed I had no more hurt feelings regarding things past.

The story doesn’t end there simply because life and relationships continue. Dealing with people means that I will get my feelings hurt. So, this process of humbling myself and forgiving persons will never end until Jesus causes all evil to end. One day, Jesus will cause all evil to end. Until that day, we must hold fast to our faith in Christ and obey Him. We must make choices nearly every day to forgive or not. A right relationship with Jesus demands we be forgiving persons. A right relationship with Jesus liberates us from our hurt feelings!

When there is unforgiveness, sometimes a spirit of fear enters a person, causing anxiety, stress, worry, etc.

Do you suffer from social or generalized anxiety? Read Teresa Morin's testimony.

Jesus loves you and wants to take your social and/or generalized anxiety from you so that you can live an abundant and whole life in Christ Jesus, reaching your desired goals either in life or your career. I want to see as many as possible receive freedom, peace, and confidence in what God created you to become with purpose.

Coach Teresa Morin, Anxious2Victorious Women 12-Week Program - Break the Cycle of Anxiety

-------------------------------------------------------

Isaiah 17:17 Damacus will become a ruinous heap

Damascus will become a ruinous heap

God controls the heavens. In fact, the Bible says that He rides upon the heavens (Psalm 68:4). There can be no doubt that the above is somehow prophetic in nature. It comes at about the same time and is confluent with the following:

Israel is the key to prophecy and God's line of history. Iran got a nuclear weapon within weeks, with which it wants to destroy Israel and America. That showdown may be just days away.

Hezbollah taking control in Lebanon, increasing the threat on Israel's northern border, with many missiles in place, probably WMDs, ready to be fired at Israeli civilians.

Syria's instability, also with many missiles in place ready to be fired at Israel. Some of Syria's missiles are hidden in Damascus's residential neighborhoods, which will cause Israel to have to destroy those neighborhoods, fulfilling Isaiah 17:1, which says that Damascus will become a ruinous heap, an apt description of a nuclear aftermath. That prophecy has never yet been fulfilled, but it will probably be soon.

America turned against Israel with its Muslim-favoring President Hussein Obama (aka Barry Soetero).

Political turmoil and instability in America, the truth of Obama's legal ineligibility to be President, and fraud are admitted and dealt with. I suspect Obama and the left will not give in without a fight and that he will declare martial law and suspend the Constitution to hold office.

The left does not care for the Constitution anyhow.

Some experts believe the near financial collapse of America and the West is imminent.

God says, In the last days, perilous times will come. God also says I will show wonders in the heavens (Joel 2:30). Those times are here. It is happening. But there is nothing to worry about if you have received Christ and trust Him as Lord and Savior. He will surely deliver you, as He promises and cannot lie.

Personally, I believe the removal of God's people from the earth (called the rapture) is imminent.

¸... ___________
·´º o`·, /__ / _/\_ ____/\
```) ¨(´´´ | | | | | | | | | || |l±±±±
,.-·°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°·-. :º° ·~·~·-..,¸

As for me and my house,

we will serve the Lord.

Have you ever felt like the Lord is silent

Have You Ever Felt God Silence in Your Life

Learn why we don't feel his presence

How to get out of the dark night of the soul faster

Have you ever felt like the Lord is silent and has abandoned you or feeling lost and can't find your direction? Are a lot of things going wrong in your life? Do you feel like you are being crushed and pressed hard and lose your sense of peace and joy, which relapse into a lower spiritual and mental level? That's because you are in the Dark Night of the Soul or, another way, the Cloud of the Unknowing. (Acts 17:26-28). WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN?

You probably think you are following God's agenda. In fact, a person is running too fast, thinking they are accomplishing God's agenda that is opposite of God's or that their way or vision for the kingdom is better. The Lord has to break the independent spirit in which we hit the end of our leach or take them in another direction. WHY? so you won't become dependent on the flesh and start the purification of the will so that it may be merged with God's will.

Every Christian has a God Leash (another way of saying God controls our lives). When a person hits the end of the leash, he goes into the Dark Night of the Soul. WHY? He must lose direction in order to come out going a better or clearer direction toward God's agenda. If that person doesn't lose his direction, he will continually pursue his own agenda, thinking he's going in the right direction.

Unfortunately, we are more soulish than spirit. So, God takes you into this darkness to redirect you. About the time you lose your bearings and get reoriented is when you get to pop out again. You don't pop out instantly going God's way at first. Each of us needs to be trained to recognize God's way, so we end up going through seasons of darkness in our lives.

When you are first saved, your personal agenda is thick, and that's the leash of God. Whenever we first exit from the Dark Night of the Soul, we usually go running headlong. You have a long leash that jerks at the end of it. The more you get into God's agenda, the shorter your leash will be. You will hate the short leash, but in reality, God tells you you're doing good. Moses had a really short leash, and he smoked the rock that caused him to not enter into the promised land. You will go into seasons of an actual short leash, and you think, "Why are you doing this to me," He says, "I'm doing this to you because you're really doing good. I want you to keep doing good." You take that one step out and are now in the Dark Place of the Soul. The shorter the leash, the quicker you exit because you realize what He's trying to do to you. The closer you get to God's agenda, the shorter your leash. He wants you to surrender your personal agenda.

From the time you are saved, the Lord takes every Christian through a maturation process to build character and dependence on Him. You will go through different stages of this process listed below:

* During the Dark Night of the Soul, you go through a survival mentality of becoming dependent on everybody. You feel like you don't know anything and everybody is going to tell you; and you are totally dependent on everyone and you hate it. In fact, you get to the point where you can hardly wait to not need anybody. During this time, you feel like you are hanging on the edge of a cliff, barely able to hang on. God intentionally causes you to have a spirit of dependence on everybody, and you can't wait to become independent again.

* Second, you will enter into the Independent Stage. As you mature, you will go into the independent stage. You will say, "I don't need anybody; it's God and me, and that's me on top." That is the death gurgle. You can watch them 5 to 2 years from now, and they are dead, but you are still alive. In five years, they will be in the ministry if they repent of their rebellion. UNFORTUNATELY, SOME PEOPLE DON'T MAKE IT OUT OF THE SURVIVAL STAGE. When you are independent, you can help people, but you need more in who you can help. WHY! You will produce people just like you, AND nobody can put anything in your life or tell you what to do, so you keep making people like yourself. You can bless some people, but the blessings are short-lived.

* Third, you will enter into a building or blessing mentality. The only way to enter a building mentality is when you recognize you can't do it alone, which is the opposite of survival. You become interdependent on others. You realize you need the help of others, and they need your help. Regardless of your flaws and weaknesses, you each build strength into each other. Instead of reproducing weaknesses, you reproduce your strengths, and others reproduce their strengths in you. 

Have you ever been wrongly Accused! The Lord will allow this because He is dealing with weaknesses in your life. Otherwise, your enemies would be at peace. It might not be what your accusers are saying, but He uses the weakness of others to strengthen your weaknesses. It doesn't make what they are doing right, but if you didn't have this weakness, He wouldn't have to use them. When you stop getting offended by some of their shortcomings, they stop doing what you got offended about. When you have victory in this area, it's usually because you've overcome this weakness. 

Depending on God, you will always spend time in the Dark Night of the Soul. It's coming to a place of knowing you need God's agenda over you, and you need others around you. During one of the battles, Moses had men holding his arms up. He needed their strength.

When you go through the Dark Night of the Soul of being redirected, do an attitude check to start handling these things inside of you:

* Do I have a personal agenda or ambition of building my own ministry and not God?* Do you need to check your heart to see if you are jealous of someone with a more excellent gift than you?* Are you getting mad at God and becoming self-defensive when someone ministers or corrects you?* Does the Lord want to take you in another direction to learn more about your calling and His purpose?

* Getting mad at God for things not happening as you think they should?

* Get mad at God for your past and ask, "Why, God, why did I have to suffer this?"

During the Dark Night of the Soul, you need to trust God in the dark and wait on Him. You must ride on sheer blind faith just hanging onto the Rock of Salvation. Sometimes, He even wants to destroy your ability to believe and have faith until you know you can think and have faith in grace. It's the work of the Holy Spirit. You can't take pride in anything; God will break you until you can't boast about anything. He will require you to thank Him because His plan is much greater than yours, and He's building character for others to trust you.

Are you demanding an understanding? You have one of two choices: wallering in misery and separated from God, or you can tell Him you need Him and His presence in your life more than you need understanding when life hands you a situation you cannot understand. Not understanding does not give you the right to demand to see into the secret of eternity. Maybe you are not supposed to know why God does certain things. The presumption of demanding an explanation is SIN. It's taking for granted that the Lord would grant you understanding. You have to trust Him blindly, as said in Hebrews 11.

During the maturation process, you will need to Build a History of Integrity. EACH OF US WILL FACE CRISES THAT WILL DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE. The previous private victories will help you make it when the tough times come, and you won't lose what He has built in you. 

You are going to have issues after issues that come up in your life where you are going to have a chance to cheat. You cheat on the front end, and there is a big balloon payment. It's big and much more challenging to pay the balloon payment than it would have been to bite the bullet in the first place. Pay the price today! Begin to build private victories, and in the moment of crises, when the stimulation says this and your heart says you don't want to do this, there's a moment of choice. Determine to do what is right. If you ask him in a crisis, He will tell you then. YOUR CHOICE WILL DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE HISTORY. It will determine if men can trust you or not. Your spirit will show if you can be trusted or not. Nebuchadnezzar told Daniel, "I have heard you have an excellent spirit." How did he know? Because of the light of God, you will show that you are a man of light.

You can know all the world's mysteries, but if nobody can trust you, nobody will listen to you, especially in prophetic ministry. It's more than just getting up "Thus Sayeth the Lord." You must build a history inside of you that will radiate to others 10 5 or 2 years from now. The more of these secret victories you have, the more the light of God will radiate from you. You will gain favors like Daniel, and others will know you have their best interests at heart and not your agenda. It starts when it seems like nothing, but it means everything. David slew the bear and the lion, and no one knew about it.

This entire process is very vital in every Christian's life. When you are first saved, you are very soulish. The Lord starts the maturation or purification process of breaking you to become more Christ-like and more able to walk more in the spirit. If you understand what He is doing, you can bear and thank Him for those dry and barren life stretches. Remember, it is building character so that others can trust you.

by: Traci Morin

Touch of God International Ministries - a Christian Healing and Deliverance - Setting The Captives Free

Anxious2Victorious Women Coaching Program

Why We Strive to Walk in Christ?

Why We Strive to Walk the Faith!

Do you feel defeated in Christ?

Do you ever feel like you are living a defeated life in Christ, trying to walk the faith! I know I have. What are you doing in your Christian walk to gain more of the Lord’s love and acceptance? Do you feel you have to do something to gain more of His love for you?

Have you been one of those Christians who has done what you know to do through experience and found out it did not work and feel defeated and unacceptable? Are you trying to change what you are, what you do, and your circumstances so you will be more acceptable? Have you tried all the particular methods of programs to change and even felt more unacceptably or felt as though you are a defeated Christian?

What is the answer! The answer is not something we must do but rather something we must believe! Christian growth is simply accepting what we have always had from the beginning, from the day we gave our lives to Christ! And this simple, victorious life will be experienced only through the abiding life.

What is the abiding life? One day, the Lord gave me a revelation some years ago that set me free from the walk of striving. Not to say I still wrestle with that. He showed me that there was nothing I could do, or say or perform to gain more of His love or acceptance because He already loved me. He didn’t love me more because I received Him, but had partaken into His promises for me when I accepted Him. His love for us is more than any of us could ever comprehend. Also, nothing I could do, including sinning, could take away the Love and acceptance He has for me. 

Yes, when we sin, we reap the consequences of sin. The difference between an unbeliever and a believer is that the believer has the promises of eternal life. The sinner is separated from Him and is condemned to eternal hell. When I accepted Him, I became His child. It was His love for us when we were sinners (lost) that he called us to Him – we accepted Him because He had already accepted us. The difference is that the separation from me to Him was removed. The wall from the Holy of Holies was removed, and my relationship with Him was restored.

Again, the abundant life is not something to work for but to be worked from. My acceptance is not based on what I do but on what I am. (Acts 17:28 says, For in him we live, and move, and have our being;) Abundant life does not require that I imitate Jesus, but rather that I participate in His life; it does not require that I work to believe, but that I work because I think.

How, then, do I experience this life abundant? How do I discover a life free from sin? And how can it be mine without effort? God’s answer is designed to be within the grasp of the weak, the failure, the unacceptable, the ignorant, the frustrated, and the hopeless. The answer is abiding in Him.

God’s answer to abundant life is simple. The Christian must learn to believe and receive by faith – faith we may not know we possess – not great talent, ability, or intellect. The problem is not that God places on us an excellent and challenging task to perform to experience Him or His peace, rest, and joy. The problem is that we put on ourselves these significant tasks and standards/acceptance that are higher than God’s. Therefore, we end up struggling because of our own efforts to change. We can rest in knowing that we are accepted and loved and don’t have to perform to receive more of His love. Receiving this truth can and will produce rest to obtain peace and joy. What is holding you back to believe?

I Am AcceptedI am a child of GodJohn 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of GodI am holy and acceptable to God (justified)Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, have been bought with a price.

I belong to God 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. have been adopted as Christ's child Ephesians 1:5 In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and willI am complete in ChristColossians 2:10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

I Am Secure? I am free forever from punishment Romans 8:1,2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. am free from any condemning charges against me Romans 8:3.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? I cannot be separated from the love of God. Romans 8:35f: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? I Am Significant? I am a part of the true vine, joined to Christ and able to produce lots of fruit John 15:1,5 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. am hand-picked by Jesus to bear fruit. John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will last.

Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.I am a Spirit-empowered witness of ChristActs 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."am a peace with God and He has given me the work of making peace between Himself and other people2 Corinthians 5:17f Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!?

by: Traci Morin 
Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - Setting the Captives Free

Purpose of the Baggage

The Purpose of the Baggage

How to let go of emotional baggage

Is the baggage of the residue of the old man, the old man has been crucified on the cross, from living here, is that baggage and residue Satan’s stronghold to keep you miserable or God’s stronghold to keep you near? Wouldn’t that bring peace?

Paul would have loved to have the baggage removed. The Lord had given Paul a new life. If the Lord had gotten rid of the baggage, then Paul would probably have thought we could serve the Lord perfectly.”

If the Lord removes our baggage, we will probably close the door to the Lord’s life. Then, the Lord cannot be expressed through us. We would not get miserable so that we would turn back to the Lord; we would become independent of our own abilities instead of dependent on the Lord. 

We would have operated in our own strength instead of the Lord’s. So, some baggage is left there, so when we close the door (independent from the Lord, relying on our abilities and flesh habits), each day walking away from the Lord is like each day walking in more mud until we cannot take it anymore so we will turn around and come back to the Lord. Then, the Lord will open the door, and the Lord flows through me, and none of it (the baggage) bothers you. Then, I can boast about my weaknesses. Because of my weakness, I was drawn near to him every day.

What is your baggage? Is it insecurity, worthlessness, rejection, and sickness? Do you let those hold you back, or do you use these to step out and let God move through you?

Are you still trusting in the dead old man who was crucified on the cross, and is it giving you trouble? Is that why you are having anxiety in your life? You have been crucified in Christ and given a new nature. You cannot crucify yourself. The Lord did that, and now He says to take up the cross and deny yourself. Your flesh will never improve. When my focus is on His strongholds in my life, it gives me a moment-by-moment life.

Yes, the Lord can remove strongholds in our lives, but he leaves some to keep us dependent on Him. So that we can do ALL things through Him and He is exalted.

I Corinthians 12:5-10 “Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself, I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone think of me above what he sees or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.

8Concerning this thing, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He told me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 

Therefore, I will gladly boast in my infirmities so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We try to feed our souls on the things outside of him. Instead of the wisdom of God, my mind gets knowledge, instead of his will I get my will. Instead of peace from God, I end up with roller-coaster emotions.

Why was Jesus in the Wilderness? By going into the wilderness, the soul gets cut off from everything familiar from every outside source. There is no possibility of getting food out there. So, for 40 days and 40 nights, the soul feeds on the spirit of God. His mind was so full of the wisdom of God … After 40 days of feeding in the wilderness, Satan came to tempt him.

God has driven everyone into the wilderness so that we can have an opportunity to get stuffed.
The unholy trinity called sin and Satan and the world. There’s natural desire that lives in my body, there is sickness that lives in me. I have a mind full of emotions, full of things I wish were not full of. We have circumstances we cannot control.

by: Traci Morin

Touch of God International Ministries - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting The Captives Free

Choose Today

Choose Today
Seize The Power of God to Overcome

It is believed by those who need to make a choice that they cannot overcome their issues, problems, or sins. In some areas of our lives, it can be impossible to choose to be different. Many simply believe that they are stuck with their obsessions, addictions, anger, self-righteousness, pride, bitterness, anxiety, and all the other deeds of the flesh.

What are other deeds of the flesh? Galatians 5:19-21 says the following:

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

What are the Deeds of the Spirit?

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Romans 8:1 says 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

They are like the person standing outside their house in the snow, holding the key to the locked door and screaming, "Would someone please let me in!" How can the believer be stuck, be locked out of victory in Christ, when they are the only ones holding the key?

Let me illustrate. One man said, "I am addicted to porno!" At that, I responded, "I bet your family is sick of watching porno with you!" He replied, "Oh no, I never look at it around them!" My question is simple, how can he be addicted if he can choose when and where he watches the porno? How can a drug addict not be able to select against the drugs when he decides to purchase it and chooses to do it out of sight? Yes, there can be a stronghold, but we must surrender to God our lust at all costs, or the lust will kill that person if we do not get rid of it. Sometimes, we can get free instantly, but sometimes, it is a walkout of choosing. It is changing that thought and not entertaining that thought.

Jesus gave us the keys to overcome all things through Him at Calvary.

Philippians 4:11–13

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We hate to be confronted with this truth, but we are doing exactly what we want and choose to do! We cannot choose; we don't want to choose the right thing. We are in unbelief and are constantly choosing. We have to pick between the words of Jesus and the voice of the flesh.

We CHOOSE the flesh. Choosing the flesh kills. It will cause you to go deeper than you want. It is bondage. It is an inescapable fact. We are where we are today, all because of personal choice. Some will argue, "It wasn't my choice to be molested, to have an alcoholic parent, to be emotionally and verbally abused, to be abandoned, to be unloved, and more." All entirely accurate, and at first, you reacted out of instinct. However, after maturing, you have chosen your reaction/lifestyle toward the event.

After getting the proper information, we may choose to remain victims, to not see God working, to blame others, to make those around us miserable, to make others pay, to live in self-hatred, and to try to undo the past by duplicating it. Two people have a standard, horrific event in their lives. Years later, one is sweet and the other sour. Why? We want to avoid the obvious; we want to give excuses, but the fact is choice. One believed choice was more significant than in the past. The other did not.

Steps to TAke to Starve Out the Flesh 

1. Get in the Word

2. Memorize the Word

3. Pray

4. Worship

5. Change your thoughts

by: Traci Morin

Touch of God International Ministries - a Christian Healing and Deliverance Ministry - Setting Captives Free from Bondage

How Do I Love Myself!

Do You Struggle with Self-Hatred? See Scriptures in Who You Are In Christ

how to love yourself and be confident

Just come into agreement with Father God. Read these scriptures of what the Father has to say about you. 

My Child...

You may not know me, but I know everything about you
...Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up
...Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways
...Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered
...Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image
...Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being
...Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring
...Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived
...Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation
...Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book
...Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live
...Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
...Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb
...Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born
...Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me
...John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love
...1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you
...1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father
...1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could
...Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father
...Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand
...James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs
...Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope
...Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love
...Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore
...Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing
...Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you
...Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession
...Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul
...Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things
...Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me
...Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart
...Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires
...Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine
...Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager
...2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles
...2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you
...Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart
...Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes
...Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth
...Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus
...John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed
...John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being
...Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you
...Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins
...2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled
...2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you
...1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love
...Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me
...1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again
...Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen
...Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father
...Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is...Will you be my child?
...John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you
...Luke 15:11-32

by: Traci Morin

Do You Follow Traditions That Are Dear To You But Are Not Scriptural!

Do You Follow Traditions of Man?

Traditions of man nullify the word of god

Why do you think Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees (in Matthew 15:1-3) when he answered them about not washing their hands before they ate, "Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your traditions?"

Did you know that in the Old Testament, in the laws of Moses given by God, there is no mention anywhere in scripture that they had to wash before they ate? Many laws were added to the laws of the Jewish people by the Pharisees and scribes.

This was a tradition of man. So, Jesus was pointing out to the scribes and Pharisees that they were following the laws of man and not God.

Then Jesus says in Matthew 15:4 (where it was written in the law "For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death."

Could the scribes and Pharisees be more hung up on their laws than the law of God to Moses? They followed the tradition of man and not what God's word said?

Does that sound familiar in the church today? Do we follow or do rituals that are not in the written word? For example, look at all the traditions in the Catholic church; many of the traditions came
after about 400 years later.

I'm not picking on the Catholic church but using them as an example of how the church brings division within each other through the traditions of man. I'm sure all denominations are guilty in one form or
another. Here are examples of what I'm talking about. This is after the death of Christ.

church traditions that are not in the bible

375 - Veneration of angels and dead saints. What does the word say about praying to dead saints? It is forbidden in the word of God.

394 - The Mass, as a daily celebration, adopted.

431 - The worship of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the use of the
term, "Mother of God," as applied to her, originated in the Council
of Ephesus.

500 - Priests began to dress differently from the laity.

593 - The doctrine of Purgatory was first established by Gregory the
Great. As the language of prayer and worship in

churches, the Latin language was also imposed by Pope Gregory I. 600 years after Christ.

The Word of God forbids praying and teaching in an unknown tongue. (I
Cor. 14:9).

600 - The Bible teaches that we pray to God alone. In the primitive
church, prayers were never directed to Mary or dead saints. This
practice began in the Roman Church.

(Matt. 11:28; Luke 1:46; Acts 10:25-26; 14:14-18)

610 - The Papacy is of pagan origin. The title of pope or universal
bishop was first given to the bishop of Rome by the wicked emperor
Phocas

This he did to spite Bishop Ciriacus of Constantinople, who had
justly excommunicated him for his having caused the assassination of
his predecessor, Emperor Mauritius. Gregory 1, then bishop of Rome,
refused the title, but his successor, Boniface III, first assumed
title "pope."

Jesus did not appoint Peter to the headship of the apostles and
forbade any such notion. (Lk. 22:24-26; Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18; I
Cor. 3:11).

Note:-- Nor is there any mention in Scripture, nor in history, that
Peter ever was in Rome, much less that he was pope there for 25
years; Clement, 3rd bishop of Rome, remarks that there is no real 1st
century evidence that Peter ever was in Rome."

709 - The kissing of the Pope's feet

It had been a pagan custom to kiss the feet of emperors. The Word of
God forbids such practices. (Read Acts 10:25-26; Rev. 19:10; 22:9).

750 - The Temporal power of the Popes

When Pepin, the usurper of the throne of France, descended into
Italy, called by Pope Stephen II to war against the Italian
Lombards, he defeated them and gave the city of Rome and surrounding
territory to the pope. Jesus expressly forbade such a thing, and He
refused worldly kingship. (Read Matt. 4:8-9; 20:25-26; John
18:38).

788 - Worship of the cross, images and relics was authorized

This was by order of Dowager Empress Irene of Constantinople, who
first caused to pluck the eyes of her own son, Constantine VI, and
then called a church council at the request of Hadrian I, pope of
Rome at that time.

Such practice is called simply IDOLATRY in the Bible, and is severly
condemned. (Read Ex. 20:4; 3:17; Deut. 27:15; Psalm 115).

850 - Holy Water, mixed with a pinch of salt and blessed by the
priest, was authorized.

890 - The veneration of St. Joseph began

965 - The baptism of bells was instituted by Pope John XIV

995 - Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV

Every believer and follower of Christ is called saint in the Bible.
(Read Rom. 1:7; I Col. 1:2).

998 - Fasting on Fridays and during Lent were imposed

Imposed by popes said to be interested in the commerce of fish.
(Bull, or permit to eat meat), some authorities say, began in the
year 700. This is against the plain teaching of the Bible. (Read
Matt. 15:10; I Cor. 10:25; I Tim. 4:1-3).

The Mass was developed gradually as a sacrifice; attendance made
obligatory in the 11th century.

The Bible teaches that the sacrifice of Christ was offered once and
for all, and is not to be repeated, but only commemorated in the
Lord's Supper. (Read Heb. 7:27; 9:26-28; 10:10-14).

1079 - The celibacy of the priesthood was decreed by Pope Hildebrand,
Boniface VII

Jesus imposed no such rule, nor did any of the apostles. On the
contrary, St. Peter was a married man, and St. Paul says that bishops
were to have wife and children. (Read I Tim. 3:2,5, and 12; Matt.
8:14-15).

1090 - The Rosary, or prayer beads was introduced by Peter the
Hermit, in the year 1090. Copied from Hindus and Mohammedans

The counting of prayers is a pagan practice and is expressly
condemned by Christ. (Matt. 6:5-13).

This list goes on and on but these are traditions of man. I'm using
this as an example. We are all guilty of doing so in our lives.
What I'm trying to say is that when man created traditions regardless
of what denomination, it brought division between the churches.

Can you imagine what it would be like if we all followed the word of
God and we all could be in harmony with each other? Maybe the laws
of the land against the church might not have ever come about? Think
about it?

I want to hear your thoughts on this. Again, I'm not picking on the
Catholic church but using them as an example of traditions of man.

by: Traci Morin
Touch of God International Ministries of Healing and Deliverance - Setting Captives Free

How To Honor Your Parents If They Abused You According to the Bible!

How To Honor and Respect Parents!

Honor thy mother and father and provoke not

Sometimes it is hard to honor and respect parents when they have victimized you or didn’t show you love and acceptance and made you feel unworthy and unclean. Why do you think they did that? It is because their parents projected that into them, and then they dumped the demonic on them where they believed it for themselves. That is a lie, and that is the unloving spirit. The demonic comes down the family tree and keeps repeating itself until someone breaks the family tree curse.

How is a person supposed to Honor and Respect their parents?

How can I honor my parents if they are demonized with self-hatred and self-rejection and victimized me when I was a child and still do when I’m around them? You can honor them by thanking the Lord that they gave you life if you have nothing else to honor them. You have to see your parents as victims of the demonic that passed down from the family tree. Their parents were not able to love them, so they did not know how to love you, and you cannot expect them to love you when there is a demonic or unloving spirit in them. That means you have to separate the sin in them. They were victims and have been programmed by their parents to victimize you! When you see that they are victims, too, it makes it easier to forgive them and stop the torment.

What Paul Says to do!

That’s why Paul talks about casting down negative thoughts that are not of God in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

When you don’t cast it down as a lie, then you establish it as a way of life for yourself. You are going to filter the lie through everything that comes your way. If your parents reject you, you will feel rejected by everyone else. Everything they say will feel like rejection. Also, because of that unloving spirit, then a child, now an adult, will continue to go back to their parents over and over again, thinking something will change and trying to get acceptance through them. That won’t happen because of the demonic in them. People must accept that it won’t change until they remove the lie from their hearts and minds because they believe it, too! You can change it, though!

What can I do?

You must fall out of agreement and be prepared to avoid it. You don’t have to continue to hear the negative voices of your mother and father in your ears. If you do, it is an evil spirit that is reminding you of self-rejection, self-hatred, etc. How many are still listening to the voices of demonized parents who victimized you spiritually when they are not even around you – they might already be dead, but you still hear clearly what they said or did. There is no way any man, pastor, or preacher can take away those voices from your mind or memory. There is a way to be freed from the spirit that transferred into and tormented you through your family tree. That is the unloving spirit that comes to you to accuse you and make you feel rejection, self-hatred, etc. If you are going to get the work out the grace of God in you, you must realize you will never forget those voices, they are a big part of the memory, but the pain from presence of that evil spirit that is attacking you and accusing can be gone. You will have the memory but not the accusation or pain of the memory.

When you hear that voice, you will know to cast it down as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 and not let it affect you because you will know what your heavenly father thinks of you. You need to discern good and evil by what is said between your ears. If it is not love, then the devil is accusing you. Cast that thought down by not accepting it. Know who you are in Christ and meditate on what the word says about you. You can only feel complete with God. No man can cause you to feel complete. When the enemy comes to accuse you, and you know your identity, it will not affect you. That is why you need to know what the Lord says about you when the enemy comes to accuse you. You see when you believe the lie, then you are calling God a liar as well. You are none of those things you are accused of by the enemy or your parents. You are just a victim of your parents' demonic. 

That is why it hurt so bad because of their demonic and the demonic that passed down to you through them through the family tree. That is why the devil knew what he was doing to accuse you: he knows your family tree. There is no reason to go around in rejection or self-rejection because your parents rejected you. Your heavenly father is now your father once you become born again, and you are never rejected by him, even when you sin. Run to Him for your love. You have to come to the place where you don’t go to your parents for acceptance. That has to stop! Realize that you must go to the Father because He has already accepted and loves you even when you are imperfect. We cannot lose the love of the Father.

I know every time I have a terrible memory or a specific memory from my past or from my parents and have a ping or lousy feeling, I know I need to forgive that situation and then try to turn my thoughts to the Lord or try to think of something more positive about that person or parent. That reprograms your thinking or what the word says, renewing my mind. That is taking every thought captive. Then I fill my mind with what the Lord says about me if I heard negative words of the past. I remind the enemy what the Lord says about me. Again, the war is between our ears, and it’s a mighty war. In Ephesians 6:12

“12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The beginning of Chapter 6 of Ephesians discusses honoring our parents and then goes into spiritual warfare. So, if we can honor our parents, if they were abusive to you, by honoring them that they gave you life. That does not mean you have to continue to go and be abused to give godly honor.

by: Traci Morin
Servant and Ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Touch of God Healing Ministries (a healing and deliverance ministry located in Dallas, Texas). 

How to Honor My Parents - $2.25 - visit the store.