What if you could have the eyes of God—confidence, clarity, compassion, connection, creativity—in your everyday human life?
What is an “authentic connection to the Divine?” Grace. Love. Light. Peace. I know—at this time more than ever—if you’re on a path of faith that leads to these things. Sign me up.
But what’s the difference between a spiritual life and a spiritualizing life?
And why—if so many Christians define their spiritual connection to God as loving, welcoming and accepting, do so many non-Christians define God as the opposite?
“If you look at some of the most pivotal pieces of Scripture—Romans in particular, 7 and 8, is just beautiful for this—we hear Paul, who is the penultimate example of New Testament Christianity, in his wrestling with parts, he says, ‘What I want to do, I don’t do.’”
– Jenna Riemersma, author of Altogether You
In this episode of The Soul of Life I speak with Jenna Riemersma, an addiction therapist and author of a book called Altogether You, about these paradoxical questions.
Jenna says its possible to apply the groundbreaking psychological insights of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy—an evidence-based and mindfulness-based psychotherapy—to deepen your understanding of God as a Christian.
Why does our mind seem to so easily become conflicted? For example, one part of you wanting to please others and do things right while other parts seem bent on acting out, shutting down, or engaging in hurtful behaviors. Or a really common one for all of us—one part me wants to sleep an extra hour, but another part of me thinks I should use that hour for exercise.
Jenna explores the surprising insight from the psychology from this unique form of therapy called IFS that our conflicted parts are actually trying to help us, even when what they’re doing or feeling is not helpful. She says by genuinely welcoming all our parts and learning how to access our God-created core Self, we can finally experience the change, integration, and wholeness we struggle to attain if we merely reject or hate the parts of us that are out of sync and need the most love and compassion.
Jenna Riemersma is the founder and clinical director of The Atlanta Center for Relational Healing. She is teaching faculty for the International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals (IITAP) and core faculty for Addo Recovery. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University and a master’s degree in Professional Counseling from Richmont Graduate University. Her new book, Altogether You, was an Amazon #1 bestseller.
Jenna is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a Level III Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapist, an EMDR therapist, Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Supervisor (CSAT-S), Certified Multiple Addiction Therapist Supervisor (CMAT-S), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
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