The Father of Psychology

Someone asked yesterday if Freud was the father of Psychology. I answered that William James is probably the father of modern psychology and that many of Freud's ideas were radical at the time and therefore he received a lot of media attention.
The true father of psychology is Jesus Christ who created our minds and knows exactly what motivates our thinking and behavior.
His word is able to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Why do we need modern Psychology? Think of modern Psychology as similar to Solomon's observation of human behavior, thoughts, communication, motivations, and learning except it's been tested and data gathered to help us understand how to best treat maladaptive behaviors that disrupt our daily living, relationships, and spiritual growth.

The Power of Resentment and Forgiveness

There is a correlation between resentment and obsessive thinking. The person who has been truly wronged, treated unfairly, abused and criticized, has developed the cognitive behavioral habit of mulling over the offenses to the point of either wanting revenge or having feelings of shame and worthlessness to the point of obsessing about self-harm. In between those two extremes are various degrees of anger and/or depression.

But there is hope and healing in Christ. He will either do a sovereign work of healing or use someone to help facilitate healing and recovery.

The person who has been wounded has not experienced what Maslow would have said was the need of social belonging. They have been deprived of the universal human need to believe they are loved, have a sense of belonging, and unity with another human being. If God has not moved sovereignly in one's life then that is a sure sign that he is leading the individual to seek the help of a pastor, professional counselor, or if nothing else a carrying, non-judgmental friend. No matter the method of person God uses, the end goal is to regain that sense of belonging and security that will empower the person to make forward progress towards their calling or destiny in life.

Psa 94:19 And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure.

For more information about resentment and forgiveness visit the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation Website.