The Struggle to Rest and Relax in God's Love (Nurture)

Summary

In this broadcast, Mark DeJesus explores the struggle many people, especially those with OCD and anxiety, face when trying to rest in God's love. He emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, nurturing, and healing from wounds, particularly in how we relate to ourselves and to God as a loving father. DeJesus highlights the balance between resting in God's love and taking small steps of faith, avoiding patterns of fear, and embracing resilience. He encourages practicing rest, growing in confidence, and facing challenges with a mindset of being loved and supported by God.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the struggle many individuals, particularly those with OCD and perfectionism, face when trying to rest in God's love and in loving relationships.
• 😊 There is often a disconnect in receiving and metabolizing love due to self-blocks, which can hinder one's ability to rest and find comfort in God's love.
• 😌 Nurture is a key component of learning to rest. The speaker discusses how God's nurture provides comfort, similar to the way a mother nurtures her child.
• 🙏 Many people, especially Christians, seek rest in God's love but mistakenly expect that it means avoiding discomfort or growth. True rest comes through both resting and taking steps of faith.
• 🧠 Obsessive-compulsive individuals often struggle with perfectionism and overthinking, making it difficult for them to relax or feel safe in unconditional love.
• 💪 The journey to healing involves learning to practice rest and building resilience, not avoiding discomfort but walking through challenges with trust in God's love.
• ❤️ Self-compassion and understanding God's love as a father are critical. Nurture from God helps build emotional and spiritual resilience.
• 😢 Avoidance can hinder healing, and often people avoid resistance, seeking comfort over growth. The speaker highlights the importance of stepping into discomfort for progress.
• 🚶‍♂️ Healing is a journey that involves both rest and taking steps. Rest is not about avoiding challenges but facing them with confidence in God's love and guidance.
• 💡 Nurture from both maternal and paternal figures plays a role in emotional health. The speaker draws on examples of how a mother provides comfort and a father encourages resilience and confidence.

Q & A

What is the main struggle discussed in the video related to people with OCD?

The main struggle discussed is the difficulty people with OCD have in resting and receiving love, particularly God's love. They are constantly striving, ruminating, and compulsively checking, which prevents them from experiencing peace and rest.

How does the speaker relate OCD struggles to perfectionism and anxiety?

The speaker explains that people with OCD often fill their need for nurture with perfectionism and religious perfectionism, leading to hypervigilance. This constant striving creates anxiety and prevents them from resting in love or feeling peace.

What does the speaker say about the connection between self-compassion and rest?

The speaker emphasizes that self-compassion is critical in overcoming the blocks people have in receiving love. Many struggle with how they relate to themselves, leading to a disconnect from God's love, which makes it difficult to rest.

Why does the speaker believe many Christians struggle to rest in God's love?

Many Christians struggle to rest in God's love because they have unresolved wounds, particularly around understanding God as a loving Father. They also have a hard time practicing rest due to perfectionism and an inability to relax in relationships.

What is the role of 'nurture' in the healing process, according to the speaker?

Nurture plays a crucial role in healing because it involves learning to relax, rest, and feel safe in God's love. It helps people feel comforted and refreshed, allowing them to recover from challenges and move forward.

How does the speaker describe the difference between 'avoiding discomfort' and 'resting in God's love'?

The speaker warns that while resting in God's love is essential, it doesn't mean avoiding all discomfort or challenges. Resting should not become an avoidance pattern; rather, it should involve taking steps of faith while relying on God's love for strength.

What does the speaker suggest about overcoming fear and resistance in life?

The speaker suggests that facing fear and resistance head-on is important for growth. He explains that OCD often amplifies fear, but moving through it, rather than avoiding it, helps people overcome obsessive patterns and build confidence.

How does the speaker link spiritual growth to physical exercise?

The speaker compares spiritual growth to physical exercise, saying that just as muscles need to be exercised to grow, spiritual and emotional muscles need to be stretched to develop resilience. Growth takes practice and persistence, not quick fixes.

What does the speaker say about the role of 'nurture' from both a mother and father perspective?

The speaker explains that a mother's nurture provides comfort, recovery, and reassurance, while a father's nurture celebrates healthy risk-taking and builds confidence. Both forms of nurture are necessary for emotional and spiritual growth.

What are 'avoidance patterns,' and how do they impact spiritual and emotional health?

Avoidance patterns are behaviors where people try to avoid discomfort or fear instead of facing them. These patterns can lead to spiritual and emotional atrophy, where growth is stunted because the person avoids challenges instead of building resilience through them.