1. Encounter! Receive Christ’s Freedom
SESSION 5: The Power of the Cross to Heal Emotional Wounds

2. HEALING EMOTIONAL WOUNDS
We live in a world full of sin that leaves us with pain and hurt. Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world”
(John 16:33)

3. God wants to heal you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually
A lot of people are fine physically, but emotionally sick. Scripture says, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:13).
It’s the will of God that our inner self be renewed by the Spirit of God. Scripture talks about living in the “new self.” (Colossians 3:10). The result of this new way of life is peace and liberty. God wants to heal our minds, our emotions, our memories, and our failed dreams.

4. God wants to heal you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually
Christ’s death on the cross not only forgives sin but also offers the healing of emotions and hurt (Luke 19:10). Referring to Jesus, Scripture says, Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53: 4-5).
Much of our hurt affects our inner person, causing hurtful emotions, bad attitudes, fears and physical illness. God wants to liberate us from resentments, rejection, depression, guilt, fear, and condemnation.

5. Dealing with rejection
Rejection is a huge problem
People have the need for acceptance, love, and security.
Rejection is one of the most painful emotions that is increasingly caused by:
Abandonment/lack of love from your parents
Divorce of parents
Death of a parent
Suicide of a parent
Destructive habits of a parent (e.g., abuse, adultery, violence)
No punishment or too much punishment
Preference for a brother or sister
Offensive words, like: You’re never going to amount to anything; you’re a lazy, no good for nothing; you’re an alcoholic; you’re a failure, Why can’t you be like your brother, etc.
Rejection in marriage
Racial discrimination
Emotional or sexual abuse

6. GOD’S GREAT LOVE AND POWER TO HEAL
“In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9).

7. “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place
“My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139: 15,16).
“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight” (Ephesians 1:4).

8. “On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. “‘Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!” (Ezekiel 16:4,6).

9. RESULTS OF EMOTIONAL SUFFERING:
Pain at remembering events in life
Limiting behavior such as:
Paralyzing fear
No goals
Compulsive money spending
Feelings that everyone is against you
Paralyzing shyness
Obesity
Lack of trust
Confusion
Inability to admit errors
Laziness
Depression

10. FROM WHOM CAN WE RECEIVE HEALING?
Christ is our healer. He himself was rejected and despised by men.
“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3).
He is the only one who is able to understand all of the circumstances of your life.

11. HOW TO RECEIVE HEALING? 1. Place your faith in Jesus to heal you.
2. Think of those people and situations that have caused you pain and grief and that you believe you must forgive.
3. What have been the moments most difficult in your life, when you’ve passed through rejection, humiliation, and embarrassment?
3. Ask the spirit of God to show you areas of your life that you need healing. If possible, write them down.

12. Healing exercise (as a large group and in small groups of two)
While people are singing and worshipping, anyone can come forward to receive prayer for God’s healing touch.
Pastor (s)/ Leader (s) will pray over you to receive God’s ministry in your life.
Break into male and female groups
Pastor or Encounter leader will break each person into groups of two, according to compatibility, spiritual maturity, and age (leader should come with an idea of the best way to group people)
Pray for one another in groups of two for freedom from emotional hurt and pain