INNER CHILD... Sunday

Devotional for 7/13/14

In psychology, our "inner child" is considered to be our childlike aspect, things we learned and experienced as children, especially those unresolved and lingering dysfunctional effects of childhood experiences.  People in counseling or recovery groups are often encouraged to get in touch with their inner children, such as by healing them (grieving the wounds suffered as children), embracing and spending time with them, loving, accepting, and soothing (fears and insecurities), reclaiming and championing them.  Sometimes more than one inner child or stage is identified.  They are often subconscious or difficult to understand without help.  

Perhaps we all need to get in touch with our spiritual inner child.  As we find those areas where our souls are wounded, we come to God for healing from the inside.  We can embrace our forgiven, healed children of God in faith.  Children are special in God's eyes.  It is not childishness but child-like faith that is desired.  He wants us to accept Him unconditionally, with full trust and awe.  As forgiven children of God, we are heirs to the Kingdom of heaven.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.  Galatians 3:26 (NIV)

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”  And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.  Mark 10:13-16 (NIV)

Dear Father in heaven,  you know our inner most parts, the inner child in each of us.  Where there are wounds and hurts, let there be your healing that you have prepared in advance for us.  Forgive us for anything we have done that is not pleasing to you, including when we have hurt others or even ourselves, our own inner child.  Help us learn to forgive ourselves too.  Thank you for loving us so much that you sent  your own son as a little child to come into this world to be our Savior.  Through your Spirit give us the gift of faith like that of a trusting child, and help us to share that faith with others so that they too may become children of God.  In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

written by Jan Andersen