Giving Christ Our Wounds

by Brooklyn Lindsey

Self-Mutilation: Why kids do it and how to get free from it Kasey sat on the office couch. With tears in her eyes she shared why she began cutting herself. It was an attempt to make the pain in her life go away. One cut led to another. Soon it was an addiction. "It would make the problems in my life go away, but then they would always come back."

Many teenagers begin harming themselves as an attempt to feel better. What Kasey found was it didn't make her any better. Cutting only made her worse. As Kasey's youth pastor, I learned and grew with her and we discovered some things that helped her break free from the bondage of self-mutilation. Here you'll find some of the things we've learned together.

Self-injurers find it hard to deal with their feelings. Most young people who injure themselves started as a result of crisis, rejection, or feelings of inadequacy. For Kasey, it was her parent's turbulent relationship causing feelings of rejection and stress. Dating, school, everything added to the tension. If you find you are tempted to hurt yourself, understand you are not alone. Help is available. Start getting help by telling someone.

Cutting is a behavior that can turn into a life-threatening addiction. Telling someone might be uncomfortable, but it's important to connect with someone who can listen to you and assist you in finding help. Be open to counseling. There are programs that will help you discover what triggers your behavior and offer safe alternatives. Get involved in something productive you love to do. Pour your energy into it for a natural and healthy release of tension.

Keeping a journal is an excellent outlet to express emotions openly and honestly without the fear of being criticized by people. Many such alternatives sap the overwhelming emotions and give you joy and fulfillment. Remember God's great love for you. Prayer and the Bible fill the reservoir of your soul. When you're empty you're more likely to resort to harmful behavior. When God's Word and the Holy Spirit are working in your life it's easier to trust Him to heal and sustain you through weak moments.

May the God of peace guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus as you seek healing and wholeness for your body, mind, and soul.

Brooklyn A. Lindsay is middle school pastor at Lakeland, Florida, Highland Church of the Nazarene, and author of the book Confessions of a Not-So-Supermodel. Article provided courtesy of Barefoot Ministries. www.barefootministries.com. All rights reserved. Additional Resources:

1. Call 1-800-DON'T-CUT (800-366-8288) for immediate help and information.
2. www.teenshealth.org: Search for "cutting" for great articles on how to help a friend addicted to cutting.
3. www.coolnurse.com: Help for eating disorders, self injury, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Includes a message board and links.

Holiness Today, March/April 2008

 

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