Paul said, “The body shouldn’t be made up of 1 part but of many” (1 Corinthians 12:14). What’s true of the body is true of the soul also, provided that God is the Creator of each. So, based on this verse, we will say that the soul is made up of many parts.
Think of parts as points of yourself—like, as an example, how you might be around your parents, which is different than the version of you that shows up around your BFF, which might be also different than the version your co-workers recognize at work.
IFS, the psychological theory I practice, categorizes parts into three groups: managers, firefighters, and exiles. The first two are called protector parts because they strive to guard us from feeling the emotional pain held by exiles.
Too abstract? Then think Inside Out by Pixar. IFS would consider Riley’s major emotions—those portrayed within the movie—as her parts.
Here’s one other example. Maya (a made-up identity) saw me some years ago. Before she entered therapy, she had already frolicked attending to know and befriending these vital parts.
She was already well acquainted along with her major protector parts. She knew their locations in her body. She also knew about how these protector parts were related to her exiles. That’s why all I needed to do was help Maya unburden her exiles, which explains why, despite having an in depth trauma history, Maya successfully accomplished therapy lower than a yr after she began.
Your Own Therapy
I wrote this text with the idea that you just’re leaning toward seeing a mental health skilled. However, this will not describe your stance. If you’re still deliberating the professionals and cons of therapy, I get it. Take the time to read when it is best to seriously consider therapy.
The decision to pursue therapy is a private one. No member of the family, skilled counselor, or trusted voice can force it upon you. If your motivation to see a therapist is to get so-and-so off your back, you almost certainly won’t get as much out of therapy. So, pray and ask the Lord if being in therapy is what you would like on this season of your life.
May God’s peace guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7) as you select.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/KatarzynaBialasiewicz
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