Anchoring Faith • Understanding Pain • Experiencing God’s Love
How to Use This Journey
This journey is not about trying harder.
It is not about fixing yourself.
It is not about earning God’s approval.
It is about letting God meet you where you actually are.
“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28
Go slowly.
Take breaks.
Repeat sections if needed.
If emotions feel overwhelming, pause and ground yourself.
God is not disappointed in you for needing healing.
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
— Psalm 34:18
Part 1 — Where Anxiety, Addiction & Emotional Pain Really Come From
Before healing begins, something important must be understood:
Most struggles are not moral failures.
They are survival strategies.
You Were Created With Needs (Not Weaknesses)
God designed every human being with deep relational and emotional needs:
- Acceptance — “I belong.”
- Affirmation — “I matter.”
- Autonomy — “I’m allowed to be a self.”
- Purpose — “My life means something.”
- Safety — “I am not in danger.”
These are not flaws. They are part of being made in God’s image.
“It is not good that man should be alone.” — Genesis 2:18
“I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” — Psalm 139:14
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” — Romans 8:16
Your Nervous System Learned to Survive
A child cannot escape painful or unsafe environments. So instead of leaving, the child adapts.
This is not rebellion. This is wisdom.
You may have learned to survive by:
- People-pleasing
- Perfectionism
- Hiding emotions
- Controlling your environment
- Numbing pain (food, substances, porn, work, scrolling)
- Becoming hyper-independent
- Performing for approval
- Staying invisible
These strategies once protected you. But what protected you as a child now limits you as an adult.
“When I was a child, I spoke like a child… When I became a man, I put away childish things.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:11“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
— Psalm 103:8
God is not angry at your coping strategies. He wants to heal the wounds that created them.
Why Addiction & Anxiety Actually Make Sense
Addiction is not mainly about pleasure. It is about regulation.
It is your nervous system trying to:
- calm itself
- feel safe
- feel connected
- escape emotional pain
Anxiety is not just negative thinking. It is your body stuck in “danger mode.”
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
— John 10:10“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7“Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”
— 1 Peter 5:7
Why Becoming a Christian Didn’t Automatically Fix This
Meeting Jesus saves your soul. It does not instantly rewire your nervous system.
So many people bring survival strategies into their faith:
- People-pleasing → “Servant heart”
- Perfectionism → “Holiness”
- Overworking → “Kingdom hustle”
- Avoidance → “Trusting God”
- Shame → “Conviction”
- Control → “Spiritual authority”
This is not fake faith. It is unhealed faith.
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” — Matthew 9:13
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” — John 8:32
Reflection — Your Story Makes Sense
1) What struggles do I keep trying to fix through willpower?
_______________________________
2) What do I usually do when I feel overwhelmed, lonely, rejected, or unsafe?
_______________________________
3) Which survival strategies do I recognize in myself?
- ☐ People-pleasing
- ☐ Perfectionism
- ☐ Numbing
- ☐ Control
- ☐ Avoidance
- ☐ Hyper-independence
- ☐ Hiding emotions
- ☐ Performing for approval
Part 2 — Inviting the Holy Spirit Into the Roots
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me… to bind up the brokenhearted.” — Isaiah 61:1
“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” — John 16:13
Step 1 — Create Safety Before Going Deeper
Prayer
Jesus,
I choose safety over speed.
I choose gentleness over pressure.
I trust You to lead this at the right pace.“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Step 2 — Identify the Need That Feels Most Unmet
Circle one or two:
- Acceptance — “I belong.”
- Affirmation — “I matter.”
- Autonomy — “I’m allowed to be a self.”
- Purpose — “My life means something.”
- Safety — “I am not in danger.”
Step 3 — Ask the Holy Spirit for the Root Moment
Prayer
Holy Spirit,
show me a moment when I learned:
“I’m not safe,”
“I don’t matter,”
“I’m alone,”
“I have to be perfect,”
or “I can’t trust anyone.”“Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and hidden things.”
— Jeremiah 33:3
Reflection
1) What memory, image, or emotion came up?
_______________________________
2) How old do I feel in that memory?
_______________________________
3) What lie did I learn about myself there?
_______________________________
Part 3 — Meeting Jesus Inside the Memory
“I am with you always.” — Matthew 28:20
“Even though I walk through the valley… You are with me.” — Psalm 23:4
Step 4 — Invite Jesus Into That Moment
Prayer
Jesus,
where were You when this happened?
What do You want to say to me now?
Reflection
1) What did I sense, see, hear, or feel from Jesus?
_______________________________
2) What truth is He speaking over the lie I learned?
_______________________________
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
— John 8:32
Part 4 — Releasing Survival & Receiving Truth
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Lay aside every weight…” — Hebrews 12:1
Renunciation Prayer
Jesus,
I renounce the lie that I am __________________.I release the need to survive through _______________.
I receive Your truth that I am __________________.
Part 5 — Letting God Meet Your Core Needs
“My God will supply every need of yours.” — Philippians 4:19
Acceptance
Jesus, show me that I belong with You.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Hebrews 13:5
Affirmation
Father, show me how You see me.
What do You like about me?“You are My beloved child.” — Luke 3:22
Autonomy
Holy Spirit, show me where I’m allowed to choose.
Where I have permission to have a voice.“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17
Purpose
God, show me why my life matters.
Why my story is not a mistake.“For I know the plans I have for you.” — Jeremiah 29:11
Safety
Lord, show me that I am not in danger right now.
Let my body feel Your peace.“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1
“My peace I give to you.” — John 14:27
Part 6 — Daily Integration Practice
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” — Romans 12:2
Each day:
- “Jesus, how do You see me today?”
- “What lie am I believing right now?”
- “What truth are You inviting me into?”
Part 7 — When Anxiety or Addiction Flares Up
This does not mean you failed.
It means: A younger part of you doesn’t feel safe yet.
Emergency Grounding Prayer
Jesus,
I am not in danger right now.
I don’t have to solve my whole life tonight.
I choose Your presence over my coping strategy.“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.”
— Proverbs 18:10
Final Blessing
You are not broken.
You are not behind.
You are not a disappointment.
You adapted because you had to.
And now God is inviting you to receive what you never got to receive before.
Healing is not you becoming someone new.
It is you finally becoming who you always were.
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.
Philippians 1:6
Igniter Ministries 