Picking Jesus

Finding and Clinging to your Identity in Jesus

Journey with me into an honest conversation with a friend Philip about his life growing up with a learning disability and walking through the challenges of navigating public education and how his faith in Jesus brought him to a place of acceptance and community. We discuss some shared experiences between living a Christ-centered life with a learning disability and living a Christ-centered life with chronic illness. We also share about our creative outlets and interests and how we honor God through them. A bible verse mentioned in this episode is 2 Cor 12:9-10.

Dealing with disappointment & setbacks in your BFRB journey

Do you ever feel like you're backsliding or stagnating in your journey with BFRBs or management of other mental health conditions? Encouragement through scripture is a key element in maintaining a healthy self-image and in our relationship with Jesus as well as overall in the sphere of mental health. I discuss what this looks like practically because for most people who struggle with BFRBs, perfectionism and self-criticism tends to be louder than the still small voice through which the Holy Spirit often speaks. Also trying to motivate yourself to open up/pull our your bible in the middle of a compulsive urge has not been an effective strategy for me, but I share some scripture-based strategies that I have found to be more effective. Bible verses featured in this episode include Eph 6:10, Eph 6:16, 2 Cor 1:20, Isa 41:10, and Psa 42:5. I also discuss different forms of Behavior Tracking for BFRBs and how there is some freedom for creativity in that. Behavior tracking resources: * https://courage-counseling.com/free-download-log-track-skin-picking-hair-pulling-body-focused-repetitive-behaviors-bfrbs/ * https://trichotillomania.com/hair-pulling-habit-tracker/ * https://pickingme.org/resources/skinpickinglog.html Peer Coaching Resources: * https://habitaware.com/products/virtual-peer-bfrb-coach-session?srsltid=AfmBOor5ny05xUq2CuIAroUyYYSj-gmgwbPcpSEab3BRPwKLLddU6MUU * https://www.heypeers.com/meeting_utilities/303?peer_supporter_id=174184

Neuroscience, My Recovery Perspective, & Bibical insights

Have you ever thought about what might recovery from BFRBs look like for you? Like beyond being pull-free or pick-free, what might your life look like? Not everyone believes complete recovery/healing from BFRBs is possible and I'm not here to condemn anyone who feels/thinks that way. that is not the viewpoint I hold currently, but I also recognize that there are still things I don't know and I'm learning about these conditions all the time! I provide the reasons I hold the position that I do and discuss the connection between the concept of "renewal of the mind" found in Romans 12:2 and what that could mean for BFRB recovery. I also discuss the numerous scriptural references of being "set free" and "freedom from sin" such as in Rom 6:6 & Gal 3:22. I talk about going deeper with God, and how being vulnerable with Jesus and focusing on the things He has for us can diminish the need to engage with our BFRBs . Other bible verses brought up in this episode include 2 Cor 10:5, Ps 148:7-13, Rom 13:14, & Gal 5:16

When your prayers for deliverance seem to be bouncing off the ceiling

Have you ever been in a place where you read a scripture that is generally regarded as being one that is deeply encouraging/empowering and felt like you just wanted to pretend like it isn't there at all? What are some practical steps you can take when you're feeling this way? I also discuss some strategies for dealing with BFRBs when there are no negative thoughts that come up about your skin or hair and you start picking or pulling as a way to escape your own thoughts. Some Bible verses I talk about in this episode are Matt 21: 21-22, Jas 4:2, 1 Thess 5:15-16, Num 14:2-3, & Psa 116:1-2. As promised, here is a link to my audio recording that I listen to frequently in my trigger spaces: https://recorder.google.com/4fff71aa-eb44-4f69-bc92-9b7f2fd693d8 And here is a link to my Praise Worship Playlist that I also listen to in my trigger spaces: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4sfsRRgQ3bSamglKkX7z84?si=y9kbi0amSzyExUQZFlj3Mw

Confronting Difficult Questions Raised by Unpopular Scriptures

Some sections of scripture hit differently for people who struggle with habitual or pet sins. Hebrews 10:26-27 is one of those scriptures. It is not a likely candidate to make a Sunday School message anytime soon, it is one that is very countercultural and may give some the impression that God is more angry than He is loving. Not to mention the added layer of guilt someone who struggles with a habitual sin in the form of behavioral addictions such as BFRBs and the questions it raises regarding God's mercy and grace. I confront those questions here and I also discuss what I believe to be a healthy response to this verse is, as well as a dangerous conclusion that should be avoided. Then, I tie in some insights from people in the BFRB community that have inspired me and gotten me to reflect on what it means to have a healthy relationship with my skin. Other bible verses mentioned in this episode include Deut 31:6, Lam 3:22-23, and John 1:16. Lastly here is a link to the podcast I bring up in inspiring my idea for my new cover artwork. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mJ4fdJazvoP9QTMdhXiTN?si=gMYzk4yLQJCBwl7SypCf2w