1. TAKING STOCK OF LIFE GMM – Chapter 11 – page 198 HHP – Lessons 11, 12 and 13

2. PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE The present builds on the past The future depends on how we handle our past Positive and negative events The wisdom we learn from them This is true of personal history and also of collective history

3. REVIEWING THE PAST It can be very beneficial Science shows it can strengthen the immune system and benefit health Writing out traumatic events Discussing them with a trusted friend Both can improve health “Confession is good for the soul”

4. God can help with this We need his help in doing it Psalm 139 can help greatly : “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

5. HOW TO TAKE STOCK It can be done alone Or it can be done with the help of a wise friend or mentor It helps to do this prayerfully Here is a powerful analogy : Picture your life as a river

7. THE RIVER OF LIFE Draw your life as a river Start with birth Go through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood to the present Recall and draw as tributaries the major influences on your life and the major events from childhood until now Evaluate them as positive or negative This will take much time – many sessions

8. POSITIVE INFLUENCES Heritage and parents Childhood influences Good lessons learned Positive events and accomplishments Blessings from God – tender mercies Give thanks to God for all he has done

9. OBSTACLES TO MATURITY Heritage Early childhood environment Bad choices Traumatic events Are negative influences of any of these still having an influence?

10. TRAUMATIC EVENTS AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM Childhood traumas never resolved are often associated with current health problems So are recent traumas not dealt with Events that happened to us, or sins committed that cause guilt Talking or writing about them resolves the inner pain and improves health

11. PRACTICAL STEPS IN HANDLING PAINFUL EVENTS Ponder each one Write a description of it and your feelings about it then and now If a relevant Scripture comes to mind, write it down Present this all to Jesus in prayer Ask him to remove or cleanse it Burn the paper

12. OBJECTION Some people say we should not try to deal with our past The Apostle Paul said we are to forget what is behind and strive to reach what is ahead – Phil. 3 : 13 We cannot forget the past until we have dealt with it Paul dealt with his past – Phil 3: 1- 11

13. CAUTIONS If a problem seems too heavy, ask a wise counselor for help If this leads to serious depression, ask for help If a sense of guilt comes, there is a remedy – confession and forgiveness When you have given a problem to Jesus, leave it with him. Don’t take it back “Cast all your cares on him for he cares for you” – I Peter 5 : 7

14. FOUR LEVELS OF FINDING MEANING AND HAPPINESS Level one – sensual pleasure Level two – ego gratification Level three – relationships with people Altruism, service, caring, compassion Level four – spiritual. Relationship with God or with other spirits

16. MENTAL HEALTH 1. Personal growth and maturity 2. A satisfactory purpose in life 3. Self acceptance 4. Positive relationships with others 5. Personal relationship with God

17. How can we help people work through this? Start with yourself What activities make you happy? Help you feel good about yourself? With whom do you like to be? Doing what? Do you like to help others? Where does God fit in your life? See lesson 13 in the training manual – page 82

18. The aging process As chronological age increases, limitations develop on level one These can lead to frustration, withdrawal, denial, or depression

19. AGING, SERIOUS ILLNESS OR DYING Retirement brings changes on levels 2 and 3 Aging and illness increase physical limitations Satisfaction from levels 1 and 2 diminishes This can lead to frustration, even despair Opportunities to strengthen levels 3 and 4 are usually still open

20. STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS Build and maintain a caring relationship with the sick person Discuss other significant relationships Encourage the person to reach out to others To join in a support group To visit others, if possible Phone, letters, e-mail Pray for others

21. RECONCILIATION Are there broken or painful relationships? Can the person discuss these? Is there need for forgiveness? Or for being forgiven? Can offending people be brought together for reconciliation? Can you share any examples of this?

22. STRENGTHENING LEVEL 4 Ask what the person believes about the future Where does God fit in her life? Does she have fear, or hope? Share your own hope through Christ Share your experiences in the valley of the shadow of death – serious illness, loss of a loved one