New Addiction Recovery Class Available to the Online Community

Author and host of Every Body Matters, Kimberly Davidson, announced today a new Christian online radio series, Bondage Breakers, to help people recover from addiction. The first live show debuts on Tuesday, April 1st at 10:00 am PST on BlogTalkRadio.com, the world's largest and most influential social radio network.

“It is critical that people experiencing addiction, whether it’s addiction to alcohol, or sugar, or social media, or work, receive the proper resources and support—and get well God’s way. Many people think all an addict needs is willpower, but nothing could be further from the truth,” said pastoral counselor Kimberly Davidson, author of the Bondage Breakers series. “The goal of this online radio program is to help those impacted by substance and/or behavioral addiction recover God’s plan for their lives, ultimately leading to lasting transformation. Anyone who suffers from addiction and low self-esteem needs unconditional love, acceptance, the power of truth, and forgiveness,” she added.

Bondage Breakers is a 16-week class that incorporates Scripture and biblical counseling action steps to help people break free from addictions and emotional bondage. Participants will learn how to cope with adversity, as well as gaining insight into unidentified destructive patterns of behaviors so they may change. A Facebook page, Bondage Breakers, has been created to support each participant, and give God praise for every small victory.

After receiving her master's degree in specialized ministry, her board certification in biblical counseling, and being set free from the bondage of a deadly eating disorder and addiction to alcohol, Davidson knows how to speak to her audience about the importance of living a healthier, addiction-free life. To hear each podcast, visit www.blogtalkradio.com/everybodymatters which can be enjoyed at the listener's convenience. Listeners are encouraged to participate by calling into the live show on Tuesday mornings. The call-in number is: (347) 237-5095. Bondage Breakers is not intended to replace medical or psychological care.

About Kimberly Davidson: Kimberly Davidson is the founder of Olive Branch Outreach, an organization dedicated to bringing hope and restoration to those struggling with low self-worth, abuse, and food addiction. She is the host of Every Body Matters on BlogTalkRadio. Kimberly earned her master’s degree in Specialized Ministry from Western Seminary and bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of Iowa. Kimberly is a board certified biblical counselor and the author of six books.

The Love She Desires and Desperately Needs

As little girls we want to know, “Am I beautiful?” “Am I worthy of being loved?” Sadly, the culture has a way of implying, “There’s nothing about you which is lovable or attractive.” We arrive into the world longing to be loved, to belong, to feel valuable, and have a purpose. We cannot not have our deep needs met. We will always find ‘something’ to fill the void if our five essential needs are not met. Join pastoral counselor Kimberly to find out how you break the power of unmet needs in your life!

This message in its entirety is now available for downloading via the Every Body Matters online radio show on BlogTalkRadio. May the message be a blessing to you!

LINK: CLICK

Let It Go and Heal! [Part 2]

Life is a lot like bumper cars. You know when you get into your car you’ll get bumped, but you don’t know how hard. The harder we get bumped by someone, the tendency is too bump back as hard as we can. What do you do when someone bumps you so hard that their actions are unforgiveable? Why do we find it so hard to forgive? One reason we resist is we don't really understand what forgiveness is… and what it is not. Understanding forgiveness doesn’t make it easier to forgive, but it does make it more meaningful, perhaps even tolerable.

Researchers have found a powerful connection between forgiving others and our own well-being. What is forgiveness? Researchers who study forgiveness and its effects on our well-being and happiness are very specific about how they define forgiveness. Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky calls forgiveness “a shift in thinking” toward someone who has wronged you, “such that your desire to harm that person has decreased and your desire to do him good (or to benefit your relationship) has increased.” Forgiveness, at a minimum, is a decision to let go of the desire for revenge and ill-will toward the person who wronged you. It may also include feelings of goodwill toward the other person. Forgiveness is also a natural resolution of the grief process, which is the necessary acknowledgment of pain and loss.

Last week we concluded that forgiveness is not an option for the believer. We are to forgive others as we have been forgiven. For most of us (all of us if we will admit it), that’s a whole lot of forgiveness. Understanding forgiveness doesn’t make it easier to forgive, but it does make it more meaningful…perhaps even tolerable…but I believe understanding the process could make us more likely to offer the forgiveness we are commanded to give.

Last week I also talked about two concepts or types of forgiveness: decisional and emotional. Dr. Neil Anderson sums them both up in this statement: “Don’t wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving. You will never get here. Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made.”

Why Do We Find It So Hard to Forgive?

One reason we resist forgiving is that we don't really understand what forgiveness is or how it works. We think we do, but we don't. Most of us assume that if we forgive our offenders, they are let off the hook — scot-free — and get to go about their merry ways while we unfairly suffer from their actions. We also may think that we have to be friendly with them again, or go back to the old relationship. While God commands us to forgive others, he never told us to keep trusting those who violated our trust or even to like being around those who hurt us. The first step to understanding forgiveness is learning what it is and isn't. The next step is giving yourself permission to forgive and forget, letting go of the bitterness while remembering very clearly your rights to healthy boundaries.

Researchers are very clear about what forgiveness is not. We need to mentally separate the act of forgiveness and the act of reuniting. They are not the same. Forgiving the person is about changing us…not the offender.

Join pastoral counselor Kimberly in rest of this must-hear episode, and come to terms with the process of forgiveness. To hear what forgiveness is not: download it via theEvery Body Matters online radio show on BlogTalkRadio. May the message be a blessing to you!

LINK: CLICK

Are Your Emotions Killing You?

Did you know that there are lots of women addicted to ‘personal pain’? A negative feeling, such as anger, guilt, worry, grief, fear, or depression, can become so entrenched and habitual that a person cannot live without it. Mental health experts say changing habitual patterns of pain can be as damaging and as difficult as giving up an addictive substance. Yet, each person has a choice: we can deny we’re attached to emotional pain. Or, we can become attached to what provides an anchor for healing and the soul—God.

This message in its entirety is now available for downloading via the Every Body Matters online radio show on BlogTalkRadio. May the message be a blessing to you!

LINK: CLICK

Let It Go and Find Healing!

Life is a lot like bumper cars. You know that when you get into your car you’ll get bumped, but you don’t know how hard. The harder we get bumped by someone, the tendency is too bump back as hard as we can. There are perceived benefits to holding onto our anger. It makes us feel powerful and in control. However, we do great damage to ourselves when we hang onto an unforgiving spirit. Forgiveness is a powerful tool which can transform our entire being—from the beast to the beauty! Forgiveness doesn’t mean agreeing with or condoning what has happened. Forgiveness means letting go and knowing that regardless of how challenging or difficult the experience may seem, God has ordained it in order for you to heal, grow, and learn.

This message is now available for downloading via theEvery Body Matters online radio show on BlogTalkRadio. May the message be a blessing to you!

LINK: CLICK

Wonder Women: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be

Society’s Myth: I must be painstakingly perfect in order to consider myself valuable. I must be a super-woman, therefore, I will forever work on improving myself. Perfection is attainable. Get ready for a paradigm shift: You need not change yourself as much as you need to begin to understand how God has wired you. Tune in to hear what pastoral counselor and ex-perfectionist Kimberly Davidson has to say about ‘twisted perfection.’

This message is now available for downloading via theEvery Body Matters online radio show on BlogTalkRadio. May the message be a blessing to you!

LINK: CLICK

Real Love That's Guaranteed to Last

Falling in love is easy… staying in love is often the challenge. What makes love last? Kimberly knows. She admits she wasted decades looking for society’s version of “perfect” love which only left her unfulfilled and consequently, an addict. Then she learned the truth and found real godly love. Tune in to hear what pastoral counselor and ex-love addict Kimberly Davidson has to say about finding genuine happiness and fulfilling relationships.

This message is now available for downloading via the Every Body Matters online radio show on BlogTalkRadio. May the message be a blessing to you!

LINK: CLICK

Are You An Approval Addict?

Pastor John Ortberg, author of The Life You’ve Always Wanted, says if we live with a nagging sense we aren’t important or special enough; if we’re envious of others’ success; if we keep trying to impress important people; if we’re worried someone might think ill of us, then we’re probably approval addicts.

‘Fear of man’ is on the top of the list of the most common fears. Society’s myth says: I must depend on others for my value. I must be loved or approved by every significant person in my life. Sadly all this mindset does is make us people-pleasers because we fear rejection and disappointing the people in our lives. We compromise in order to gain approval. People are big and God is small. How can we successfully overcome our people-pleasing [fear of man] tendencies?

This message is now available for downloading via theEvery Body Matters online radio show on BlogTalkRadio. May the message be a blessing to you!

LINK: CLICK

Let Go of the Fear of the Unknown & Fear of Change

Our greatest and most common fears are the fear of the unknown and the fear of change (or letting go). Why do we hang on to our carefully planned lives and schedules so tight? Why do we hang onto thinking and behavioral patterns like they’re a precious diamond ring? Answer: the fear of losing control. If we lose control then we’re vulnerable. Are you ready to make a change and let go of your fears?

I do want say first off: If you desire to know what fear does to our brains and bodies listen to the episode titled: The Secret to Life, Health, and Happiness: Change Your View of God

In an article titled: Nurse reveals the top 5 regrets people make on their deathbed; one of the regrets was: I wish that I had let myself be happier. The article said: This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realize until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called ‘comfort’ of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change forced them to pretend to others, and to themselves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh and have joy in their life again.

I agree that one of our greatest & most common fears is the fear of the unknown and the fear of change or letting go. People have said that one of the hardest lessons in life is learning to let go. Change is never easy. We tend to fight to hang on & we fight to let go. I think we all fear that life is painful and overwhelming, but we don't want to admit it—because to do so would require a frightening dependence on God.

Want to hear more? This week's topic: Let Go of the Fear of the Unknown & Fear of Change on Every Body Matters show on BlogTalkRadio is now available for downloading. May the message be a blessing to you! Link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/everybodymatters/2014/01/29/let-go-of-the-fear-of-the-unknown-fear-of-change

Fearless Beauty: The Seven Deadly Fears

Have you felt powerless around the need to make certain decisions? Has the fear of change or transition created concern, or an adverse effect on your life? Do you ever find yourself afraid of being exposed and rejected, abandoned, deathly ill, broke, or not accepted? If so, you’re not alone. Every day millions of people experience various forms of anxious fear. Most of them, just like you, may not know that when we run from our fears in an effort to protect ourselves this becomes a learned cycle that is hard to break. But it can be broken!

One woman wrote me, “Fear has permeated every part of my life. Fear for my health. Fear of losing my job. Fear that what I believe about myself is true. Fear that my children will grow up and resent me. Fear that my marriage will fail. Fear that people will learn the ugly truth about me. Fear that I’ll never get better because I’m beyond repair. Fear that this pain will never end. Fear that my life will come to a tragic end. Fear of being punished by God for what I’ve done and for not letting Him into my life.”

When I read this I thought to myself, she has just summed up mankind’s greatest fears. A big component of the pain we feel is fear. No doubt, fear is immobilizing. Amy Carmichael wrote, “Have you ever thought how infectious fear can be? It spreads from one person to another more quickly and certainly than any of the fevers we know so well.”

Fear is complicated. It’s also an epidemic. It’s like a virus & strikes everybody—not just the weak & vulnerable. It can be transmitted to others—like our kids. Fear brainwashes us into thinking it’s protecting us but all it does is throw us in a personal prison of frustration & hopelessness.

It’s fear that makes us do crazy things. I bet you never thought of fear as a factor that makes people shallow, insecure, abusive, liars, loud & obnoxious, arrogant, pushy & anxious. That’s because fear morphs into an individualized survival mechanism—each of these characteristics are motivated by fear. People who act this way are seeking some way to protect themselves--even to advance themselves. But—rather than surviving or thriving --they’re slowly dying & destroying others in the process.

Most of us have never even thought about where our fears come from & how they developed. I’ll be honest with you: recognizing the way fear takes its form in our lives may be difficult; just as dealing with breaking it will be a challenge too. That’s because fear is subtle & takes on many forms. The process of breaking our fears will probably be messing. We may feel like we’re standing naked in front of the world—vulnerable & exposed. Saying good bye to some deep-seeded habits & thoughts can be risky—it leave us feeling more scared. But it can also be a stepping stone to a transformed self & a renewed faith.

I’m going to be doing a series on fear—on natural fear. Phobias, anxiety disorders, panic disorders—those are more specific which require a deeper level of research & discussion. On my BlogTalkRadioprogram, Every Body Matters, on Wednesday, I'm going to talk about are what I call the Seven Deadly Fears:

1. Fear of change/fear of the unknown (most common)
2. Fear of man
3. Imperfection 
4. Failure
5. Aging--My real self
6. Loss
7. Suffering, death, disease

Then I will be talking about 'Fear of God' to end the series. You won’t want to miss a single episode!

The Secret to Life, Health, and Happiness: Change Your View of God

Over the past 3 decades brain research has come so far. Today we know that because of sin, all of our brains are out of balance and we all experience effects of out-of-control stress—the amygdala of the brain firing up constantly, which in turns effects our entire being. The constant stress impairs physical growth by shunting blood and energy away from our internal organs to the muscles. Our immune system is impaired and our prefrontal cortex can become paralyzed.

When fear increases, then love, growth, development and healthy thinking decrease. On the other hand, when love increases. Not only does fear decrease, but growth, development and healthy thinking improves. A person that never knows healthy love (their “love tank” is always on empty); their prefrontal cortex of the brain becomes dominated by the impulses of the limbic system [the part of the brain that controls the automatic systems of the body, our emotions, and survival responses].

When we are involved in activities that are sinful [violate God’s laws of love and justice], the conscience responsible for strategizing and planning, is impaired. In other words, we cannot think clearly when we are guilt-ridden. In order for our judgment to work best, our consciences must be clear. This is God’s design. This can only happen when we live in harmony with God’s law of love. This requires removing distorted God-concepts and seeking true knowledge of him [through the Holy Bible]. We tend to interpret God through our brokenness. This is why it is imperative we get our information about God straight from the Bible. God is love. God is good.

When we do this, the heart of your brain [called the anterior cingulate cortex, ACC); where we experience empathy, compassion, and love; where we choose right from wrong] grows stronger and calms or resolves the guilt feelings.

This amazing balance between reason and conscience was designed by God to enable human beings to make healthy choices. When we contemplate thoughts and activities that violate God’s law, the conscience fires up to alert us of danger. It simultaneously impairs the ongoing planning of the destructive sinful action, while the orbital frontal cortex sends signals attempting to correct inappropriate behavior.

Those who persist in the unhealthy [sinful/selfish] actions, despite the firing up of the conscience, may find greater difficulty removing themselves from the destructive thinking and behaviors. This is due to the damaging effect that selfish and fear-based actions have on the ACC. It is in this area of the brain that the battle between love and selfishness is either won or lost.

Life, health, and happiness are found where love flows free. And love flows where the truth about God is known. Recent scientific studies proclaim that worshipping a God of love stimulates our brain to heal and grow, while worshipping a God other than love activates fear circuits in our brains. If fear circuits are not calmed, chronic inflammation and damage to our brains, bodies, and relationships occurs.

If you want to hear the entire message you may download it at: Every Body Matters. Scroll down and click on this episode coming on Wednesday the 15th: The Secret to Life, Health, and Happiness: Change Your View of God