Appendix A: Truth Statements

Faulty Belief: I will always be sad and depressed. Truth of Scripture: “Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth! Burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on them in their suffering.” (Isaiah 49:13, NLT). “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit...” (Romans 14:17, NIV). “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Is. 61:1–3). Freedom Fact: My inheritance as a child of God is joy and hope. He can heal my pain, lift my burdens, and replace my mourning with joy.

Faulty Belief: I am afraid that (fill in your own blank). Truth of Scripture: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2Tim. 1:7, NLT). “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears” (Zeph. 3:17, NLT). “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4). “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear” (1John 4:18, NLT). Freedom Fact: God is with me wherever I go. I choose to accept His perfect love, which casts out any fear. Faulty Belief: There is no hope for me to experience God’s purpose and plan for my life because of what has happened to me and because of the choices I have made. Truth of Scripture: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11, NLT). “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Phil. 1:6, NLT). “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13). Freedom Fact: I am a child of God, and nothing can change that! He has great plans for my life and is faithful to continue the good work He started in me. Faulty Belief: These emotions are so overwhelming I will never get over them. Truth of Scripture: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1Pet. 5:7, NLT). “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore, he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice” (Isa. 30:18). “For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones” (Isa. 49:13). Freedom Fact: God cares about how I feel, and He has great compassion toward me. I can rest in knowing that He will carry my burdens.

Faulty Belief: People cannot be trusted, and I can expect to be betrayed. Truth of Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5, NLT). “To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33). “If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Eccles. 4:10). Freedom Fact: God loves me, and I will trust Him no matter what. God will bring safe people into my life to love and encourage me in healthy ways.

Faulty Belief: My coping methods are not that big of a deal and they don’t really control me. Most people have little habits to help them get through the day anyway. Truth of Scripture: “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but I will not be mastered by anything” (1Cor. 6:12). “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then, you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. 12:2). “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8). Freedom Fact: God has called me to a life of holiness that is no longer conformed to the patterns of the world and our culture. He has called me to focus my life and my mind on that which is good and pure.

Faulty Belief: No one will ever want me. I am damaged goods. Truth of Scripture: “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” (Isa. 61:1–3, NIV). “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful” (Jer. 31:3–4). “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone” (Song of Sol. 2:10–11). Freedom Fact: God has taken my shame and restored me to wholeness. I have confessed my sin to Him, and He has forgiven me and cleansed me. I have been set free to enjoy my future!

Faulty Belief: I must hold myself together and not share how I feel. Truth of Scripture: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matt. 5:4). “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (2Cor. 1:3–4). Freedom Fact: God wants me to be real about how I feel so He can provide comfort and healing. It is when I am healed and whole that I can comfort others who have been through the same things I have.