Have you ever been in a place where you read a scripture that is generally regarded as being one that is deeply encouraging/empowering and felt like you just wanted to pretend like it isn't there at all? What are some practical steps you can take when you're feeling this way? I also discuss some strategies for dealing with BFRBs when there are no negative thoughts that come up about your skin or hair and you start picking or pulling as a way to escape your own thoughts. Some Bible verses I talk about in this episode are Matt 21: 21-22, Jas 4:2, 1 Thess 5:15-16, Num 14:2-3, & Psa 116:1-2.

As promised, here is a link to my audio recording that I listen to frequently in my trigger spaces:

https://recorder.google.com/4fff71aa-eb44-4f69-bc92-9b7f2fd693d8

And here is a link to my Praise Worship Playlist that I also listen to in my trigger spaces:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4sfsRRgQ3bSamglKkX7z84?si=y9kbi0amSzyExUQZFlj3Mw

Some sections of scripture hit differently for people who struggle with habitual or pet sins. Hebrews 10:26-27 is one of those scriptures. It is not a likely candidate to make a Sunday School message anytime soon, it is one that is very countercultural and may give some the impression that God is more angry than He is loving. Not to mention the added layer of guilt someone who struggles with a habitual sin in the form of behavioral addictions such as BFRBs and the questions it raises regarding God's mercy and grace. I confront those questions here and I also discuss what I believe to be a healthy response to this verse is, as well as a dangerous conclusion that should be avoided. Then, I tie in some insights from people in the BFRB community that have inspired me and gotten me to reflect on what it means to have a healthy relationship with my skin. Other bible verses mentioned in this episode include Deut 31:6, Lam 3:22-23, and John 1:16. Lastly here is a link to the podcast I bring up in inspiring my idea for my new cover artwork. https://open.spotify.com/episode/3mJ4fdJazvoP9QTMdhXiTN?si=gMYzk4yLQJCBwl7SypCf2w

Certain Bible verses can be interpreted in such a way as to feed into poor self-image and unhealthy patterns of thinking we have about ourselves. I address one of these passages in this episode, Rom 7:23-24. Other verses I mention in this episode include Phl 4:8, Mat 10:29-31, Psa 139:14, 2 Co 10:3-5, Eph 6:10-17. Next, I discuss the tools of the secular world, the most common tips and tricks used by people with BFRBs and the various types of therapy options that exist. Then I call attention to the notion of incorporating spiritual elements into combating BFRBs and using scripture as a tool. Lastly I delve into the spiritual warfare context of struggling with behavioral addictions and how the tools overlooked by much of the secular world are, according to scripture, the most powerful weapons or "tools" that exist to combat the enemy's schemes.

Here I make some confessions about my feelings & attitudes surrounding my skin, discuss some lies that Satan uses to drive me to picking my skin, and give some strategies in combating temptation involving bible verses, lyrics to worship songs, tactile elements, and daily meditation. Includes the following scriptural references: Isa 66:13, Luke 9:23, Rev 9:11, & Rev 12:11.

In this episode I dive into Proverbs 26:11, a passage that may hit different for someone with a Body Focused Repetitive Disorder like chronic skin picking. The tendency for people with BFRDs as well as others with chronic mental health conditions have a tendency to react negatively and have emotion-driven responses to reading through certain passages of the bible that make us uncomfortable. These emotional responses may pose long-standing frustrations with ourselves, contribute to negative self-image, and lead to inconsistency or lack of motivation to regularly get into God's word. In this episode I give an example of an emotion-driven response to this scripture in proverbs and offer an alternative perspective. Additionally, I share about my journey as someone with chronic skin picking and I get real honest about what I believe to be a biblical view of chronic skin picking and similar behaviors.