February 16, 2022

In his excellent Christ Church class this past Sunday, Ethan Richardson, our Therapist in Residence, reminded us that behavior does not change behavior. Attempting to slap good behavior over bad behavior not only doesn’t work, it diverts us from the real problem. 

Internal need/pain/trauma surfaces as bad behavior. In order to modify the outside, you have to address the inside. Sin always hinders and confounds every issue, so there are no simple solutions. But going directly to the heart is the only way of hope and healing.

God is interested in what goes on inside you. “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

And He has the power to heal.

“Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Third Sunday in Lent – BCP)