Answers for cutters from the Bible

If you are an emotionally sensitive person, how would friends and family describe you? Positive, compassionate, creative, empathetic and giving? Would they say you are a good teacher and a good listener, and that you understand their problems, regardless of the issue?

Even though you've embraced these strengths, you also might feel animosity toward this sensitive side. After all, you're easily insulted; at times, you feel thin-skinned, even weak – which you thoroughly dislike. Other kids bullied you as a child; adults sometimes take advantage of you now.

Emotional sensitivity

Emotional sensitivity is your blessing – and your curse; and it has become such a burden you've turned to cutting because that's the only way you know how to express yourself emotionally.

Deep down, maybe you don't want to travel down this path any longer. Yes, cutting may give you temporary relief, or maybe it helps you deal with a painful past. Deep down, though, you know it isn't a healthy relief, and you need to break away from this addiction.

Whatever your circumstances, prepare yourself because changing your mind, body and spirit won't be an easy task. A first step to take is to work on talking it out, so you don't have to act it out. Of course, you'll need to seek help from a counsellor.

Change your thinking

Another step to help will be to change your mode of thinking. Thankfully, embracing these Scriptures will help counteract these negative feelings you may have:

Feeling: I need to be punished.

Truth: When Jesus allowed Himself to be beaten, mocked and nailed to a cross to die, He paid the price for any wrongs. He bled (so that I don't have to) and gave me grace, love and forgiveness (1 Peter 2:24).

I have been made righteous because of a faith in Jesus, and He has freely given me His grace in spite of my sin (Romans 3:21-26).

Feeling: God has abandoned me.

Truth: Because God loves me, He promises to never leave me or forsake me. His love for me is everlasting; it will never stop, disappear or grow cold. Nothing can separate me from His love – not even myself. He won't ever leave me but will provide mercy and grace when I am in need (Hebrews 13:5, Jeremiah 31:3, Romans 8:35-39 and Hebrews 4:16).

Feeling: Things are never going to get better.

Truth: God promises me of a future and a hope. I can't see it right now, and I don't know how He is working it out. Still, I choose to trust Him, and while He is working out my problems, I will wait on Him (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 27:14).

Feeling: I'll never be able to change.

Truth: When I came to Christ, He made me a new creation. It will take time to renew my mind, body and spirit, but He has promised to change me, no matter how I feel (John 15:15, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Colossians 2:7, Philippians 1:6).

Feeling: I'm unlovable.

Truth: When Jesus died on the cross, He demonstrated the ultimate act of love for me. He did this because I am chosen and dearly loved (Romans 5:6-11, Colossians 3:12).

Feeling: I'm unacceptable.

Truth: Because God created me, and Christ died for me, I am acceptable to Him; before the world was created, He made the choice to adopt me as His own (Ephesians 2:13, I Peter 2:9, Ephesians 1:5).

Feeling: I feel like God won't forgive me.

Truth: Despite how I see myself, God sees me as blameless and holy because of what Christ did on the cross. It's hard to imagine, but God has completely forgiven me. When I confess anything that I have done wrong, He is more than willing to forgive and cleanse me from sin, no matter how many mistakes I make (Colossians 1:22, Colossians 1:13-14, 1 John 1:9).

Remember, change takes time, but if you accept the truth of what God says, and seek professional help, you will discover better coping and life skills.