3Since 1982 I have been helping people who are struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, fear, and low self-esteem. What many people don't know is that past trauma needs to be addressed directly before symptoms like depression, anxiety, anger, and addiction, can really be eliminated. Building on this foundation, I began my journey to bring Biblical truth and psychological research together to help people be free from the past wounds that keep them chained, bound, and effectively sidelined from living the life they wanted to live. I've written this book because I long for YOU to be free from the chains of trauma, too I yearn for you to move through the healing process of grief and not stay stuck in your pain I know it can be done because I've done it and I've walked with others through healing from incredibly horrific experiences. While my life isn't perfect-there is no such thing until Heaven-and the lives of others who have gone through this process aren't' perfect, you can experience the freedom of no longer being controlled by the impact of your past wounds. Stop living a life controlled by past wounds and start living a life of freedom from your pain Break EVERY Stinking Chain Healing for Hidden Wounds integrates psychological research and Biblical study to give you a step-by-step pathway on which to begin your healing journey. Identifying three researched phases of recovery, Dr. Colson has further broken each phase down into stages with instructions and Biblical support for each. FREEDOM. We all want it, expect it, and demand it. On the outside you may be free to travel where, when, and with whom you want, but inside you feel trapped in a personal jail of depression, anger, anxiety or fear. You may feel chained to past wounds, recurring negative thoughts or relationships that keep you feeling stuck and inhibit that sense of freedom you crave. While in your head you believe that Christ brings freedom and that a relationship with God is the answer, you continue to struggle with getting your emotions in line with this truth. At one conference a very compelling speaker instructed us to pretend we were at the airport and imagine taking our baggage to the handler (Jesus) and walking away. "It's that easy " she assured us. GIVE ME A BREAK Give yourself a break For most of us, it's just not that simple, and telling us it should be easy only leads to increase our guilt, shame, and sense of inadequacy. Some of the research on Christians and divorce or other family and health issues has been misreported. However, as a veteran listener to the stories of demoralized people, what they all have in common, regardless of their religious views or faith, is unhealed emotional and psychological wounds. Remarkably, many very intelligent and Godly people are oblivious to the fact that these past wounds are the source of their current emotional, psychological, spiritual, relational and even physical problems. Perhaps you too have bought the myth which I will address chapter one, "If it happened when I was a child, it doesn't affect me anymore." This is not true, and it's impossible (Unless of course you received a brain transplant.) In chapter 1 I will present compelling research to support the fact that it does affect you-even 50 or more years later, and will impact you for the rest of your life. But wait, there is hope for healing You should read this book if: 1.You've felt stuck in your personal and professional development and can't figure out why. 2.You're willing to acknowledge God and consider that He might be for you and not against you. 3.You have a relationship with God, but keep feeling alone and confused about why everyone else seems to "Get it" and you don't. 4.You carry around anger, hurt, and resentment and don't know why, let alone, what do about it. 5.You've tried counseling, praying, 12-step groups and your life still feels unmanageable. 6.You love someone who has experienced trauma and want