Self-Mutilation/"Cutting"

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Right. That's what I meant. They are victims of abuse. They likely either are, or were in abusive homes where physical and sexual abuse occured, and was compounded by the drug and alcohol abuse of their perpetrators.

Bro. Hoover,

As hard as it is to suffer physical and sexual abuse, something that is a great cause of 'cutting' self-mutiliation is about EMOTIONAL ABUSE. Emotional abuse takes many forms: someone continually using emotional blackmail to get you to do what they want you to do. Spiritual abuse also falls in this category. When you feel so worthless to others and they constantly tell you that no matter what you do you do not measure up...it causes a person to self-deprecate and become a 'perfectionist'. The anxiety this causes sets a person up to fail which causes the cycle to re-occur and they find no safe place to get out of the cycle.

The very first place I go to when I have a client who presents as a self-mutilator is: Where is the abuse? I don't ask this outright but the open-ended questions I present give them time to open up and tell their story. A relationship must be built, one of trust, before someone can really share what is 'hurting' them inside.

[Hoovie]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Bro. Hoover,

As hard as it is to suffer physical and sexual abuse, something that is a great cause of 'cutting' self-mutiliation is about EMOTIONAL ABUSE. Emotional abuse takes many forms: someone continually using emotional blackmail to get you to do what they want you to do. Spiritual abuse also falls in this category. When you feel so worthless to others and they constantly tell you that no matter what you do you do not measure up...it causes a person to self-deprecate and become a 'perfectionist'. The anxiety this causes sets a person up to fail which causes the cycle to re-occur and they find no safe place to get out of the cycle.

The very first place I go to when I have a client who presents as a self-mutilator is: Where is the abuse? I don't ask this outright but the open-ended questions I present give them time to open up and tell their story. A relationship must be built, one of trust, before someone can really share what is 'hurting' them inside.

Good information. Thank you for sharing this.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

Burning, poisoning, hair pulling, stabbing and or poking oneself, anorexia and bulimia.

Bro. Rutledge,

The minds of people give them great imaginations when it comes to harming themselves. They show up in Dr's offices continually with ailments that are self-inflicted.

We live among people who are hurting and there is no lack of place to help heal if you are a Christ follower.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Stephen Hoover

Good information. Thank you for sharing this.

Bro. Hoover,

There are areas I want to minister in but it appears that God would just like me to inform/teach right now. It appears that most of us know a little about this...and if hits home with many of us.

Just doing what I can - while I can.

You're welcome BTW

[Sherri]

Ashley worked for Mercy Ministries in Nashville for a period of time. They deal with all kinds of addictions, abuse, etc. in girls from teenage through early twenties. The director Nancy Alcorn wrote a great book last year on cutting, and Ashley got to edit it. It's the only book like it that we know of from a Christian perspectie.

Nancy believes that it's definitely a spiritual matter, the same for eating disorders. It's a form of self abuse and control mainly. She thinks that it's a substitute (demonic) for the blood of Jesus. As girls sacrifice their own blood, it takes the place of what Jesus did for them on Calvary - thus a deception and a form of emotional release, but from the wrong source. I'm not sure how much of this is covered in the book; honestly I can't remember. But I know that this is her premise.

[Tim Rutledge]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Ashley worked for Mercy Ministries in Nashville for a period of time. They deal with all kinds of addictions, abuse, etc. in girls from teenage through early twenties. The director Nancy Alcorn wrote a great book last year on cutting, and Ashley got to edit it. It's the only book like it that we know of from a Christian perspectie.

Nancy believes that it's definitely a spiritual matter, the same for eating disorders. It's a form of self abuse and control mainly. She thinks that it's a substitute (demonic) for the blood of Jesus. As girls sacrifice their own blood, it takes the place of what Jesus did for them on Calvary - thus a deception and a form of emotional release, but from the wrong source. I'm not sure how much of this is covered in the book; honestly I can't remember. But I know that this is her premise.

Sherri, I definately see it as demonic in nature, but I see it from the aspect of the cuters humaness (coping skills) trying to deal with the wickedness (demons) that has transpired in their life. Negative feeding on negative. I'd guess to say this kind of problem has been around forever, in one form or another. I hate to see people hurting, especially to this degree. People NEED the Lord! He is the only ultimate, long term answer.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Ashley worked for Mercy Ministries in Nashville for a period of time. They deal with all kinds of addictions, abuse, etc. in girls from teenage through early twenties. The director Nancy Alcorn wrote a great book last year on cutting, and Ashley got to edit it. It's the only book like it that we know of from a Christian perspectie.

Nancy believes that it's definitely a spiritual matter, the same for eating disorders. It's a form of self abuse and control mainly. She thinks that it's a substitute (demonic) for the blood of Jesus. As girls sacrifice their own blood, it takes the place of what Jesus did for them on Calvary - thus a deception and a form of emotional release, but from the wrong source. I'm not sure how much of this is covered in the book; honestly I can't remember. But I know that this is her premise.

Originally Posted by Tim Rutledge

Sherri, I definately see it as demonic in nature, but I see it from the aspect of the cuters humaness (coping skills) trying to deal with the wickedness (demons) that has transpired in their life. Negative feeding on negative. I'd guess to say this kind of problem has been around forever, in one form or another. I hate to see people hurting, especially to this degree. People NEED the Lord! He is the only ultimate, long term answer.

Sherri,

I do not agree with the premise of the book. I think the woman who wrote it is "overspiritualizing" the problem like so many of us do. I tend to agree with Bro Rutledge...sin is the cause of most of the problems in society. Not necessarily the one who is cutting, but the person who abused him/her.

I have counseled many clients, and many don't even know God much less scripture, therefore the premise that they are mimicing the blood of Jesus is a moot point. I do agree that it is more about control and giving emotional pain an outlet.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Sherri,

I do not agree with the premise of the book. I think the woman who wrote it is "overspiritualizing" the problem like so many of us do. I tend to agree with Bro Rutledge...sin is the cause of most of the problems in society. Not necessarily the one who is cutting, but the person who abused him/her.

I have counseled many clients, and many don't even know God much less scripture, therefore the premise that they are mimicing the blood of Jesus is a moot point. I do agree that it is more about control and giving emotional pain an outlet.

Blessings, Rhoni

I don't mean "consciously" replacing the blood of Jesus; just in a deceived demonic sense. I tend to believe that the problem is demonic in nature.

[Blubayou]

My first contact with someone who was a cutter, one of my roommates witnessed to a girl who had a history of self mutilation. It was dealt with as a spiritual ( demonic) issue and she was prayed for. This person did get the HG and was baptised in Jesus Name. But I do not know what happened to the girl. I think God was the answer but I do know she had some deep rooted problems that should have been dealt with in counseling. My heart goes out to people who struggle with these kind of issues. I have great admiration for people like Rhoni, who work with them.

[nahkoe]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

Nahkoe,

Sounds like you have insight into your reasons for the 'cutting' as well as know that your approach to them must change...absolutely. Since you have been so open before so many...can you tell what behaviors you use to deal with the pain to replace the 'cuting'?

Only answer if you feel you can. I would not want you to share something that would cause you any additional pain.


Rhoni

I have an eating disorder, for the most part I'm able to manage it (after a whole lot of years of working on it, and the reasons for it), but when I find myself in a situation where I feel out of control, I go right back to it. Right now, it's definitely evident, but not like it has been in the past. I don't consider it a thing of the past, even though I'm definitely managing things better right now than I ever have during a "storm" before.

I also smoke. Not all the time, only when I "need to". I am a fortunate person who doesn't get addicted, for me quitting is simply not buying another pack. This is by far the most prominent behavior for me, it's always been what I immediately turn to when I start sinking (I also have a history of depression, and smoking is how I've medicated that in the past) or when I'm suddenly in a situation that brings up a lot of skeletons from my past.

I am learning better ways to deal with pain, I've realized more about the nature and character of God lately than I could begin to expound on. For those of you who've been praying, this is where you know your prayers have made a difference. I have begun to learn to trust God. I have been learning that letting go of hurt is very safe when it's God I'm letting have it. There is far more comfort available in God than anything else I've ever turned to, and the more I turn to Him, the more He proves Himself to me, the more I find myself able to trust Him, the easier it is for me to turn to Him and not other things.