In this chapter you will learn the basic essential needs of the human spirit and what happens when these needs are not met.  What happens when we try to self medicate a spiritual wound, instead of letting God heal that wound.  What addictions are based in and how to overcome every addiction.  What is God's definition of an idol versus our understanding of an idol.

  

We are spiritual beings that live in a physical body.  Our physical bodies need only air, water and food to survive, but who just wants to survive?  I want to thrive!  To thrive we need to address the essential need of our spirit.  Affirmation is what every person requires to have a healthy spirit and this is especially true for the believer.  It is not just a matter of wanting to be affirmed, but rather a need of our spirit.  Affirmation means: to confirm, pronouncement, truth, avowal, state, support, encourage and verify (MS Word 2003). 

 

We have an inner need to know that we are loved, respected and a part of something, but when this fundamental need is not met we feel hated, disrespected and isolated.  Condemnation is the opposite of affirmation and it means: blame, denunciation, disapprove and criticize (MS Word 2003).  Condemnation comes in the form of accusations towards the believer.  These negative feelings can and usually will cause us to seek affirmation from sources other than God. 

 

One day as I was driving from Austin to Killeen to visit an account of mine, my mind was bombarded by thoughts.  I chose not to walk down the path that the thoughts were trying to direct me, but instead I took every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.  This went on for almost an hour and it started to wear me out.  I cried out to God for help and this is what the Holy Spirit told me...