Same Experiences, Yet Different Effects

“The unique nature of who we are is reflected most accurately through the characteristics of our inborn temperament.”  Dr. Dave Ralston

Am I Enough?

At this point in our journey, you’re most likely beginning to make significant connections between the experiences of your childhood and the intra- or inter-personal plaguing your adult life.  To clearly and uniquely consider the solutions we’ll be discussing in detail later in this book, there is one last foundational block that must be laid.

You see, this book is not simply a philosophical discussion of how brokenness and shame may have derailed your hopes and dreams. From the beginning, my passion has been to offer a roadmap for your one-of-a-kind journey toward soul health and personal wholeness.

In the preceding chapters, I’ve provided extensive content to help us understand the origins, causes, and effects of toxic shame in our lives.  Without a doubt, this has been powerful in and of itself.

Nonetheless, that Information alone does not bring about the level of change each of us has longed for:  a deep heart change.  Transformation at that level requires more than merely controlling our thoughts or modifying our behaviors.  We must identify how our childhood experiences have uniquely bruised, wounded, or broken our hearts in ways that others who had seemingly identical exposures weren’t affected, or were affected in markedly different ways.

Was Sigmond Freud Correct?

In the nineteenth century, an Austrian neurologist by the name Sigmond Freud put forth a very un-Biblical perspective of human identity.  He (and others preceding him) referred to this concept as “tablua rasa,” which translated into English means “blank slate.”  His hypothesis was that every human being ever born came out of their mother’s womb identically non-defined – literally a blank slate.

Freud claimed that individual personality traits were formed entirely by family dynamics.  His theories implied that, from birth, humans lacked free will, that inborn influences on human personality were very miniscule, and that a person’s specific identity was largely determined by their upbringing.  Further, he theorized that all human knowledge came from experience or perception, and not from any inborn characteristics or tendencies.

Nature versus Nurture

It was in response to this illogical, irrational teaching of Freud that the debate of “nurture versus nature” ensued.  The nurture perspective claimed that a person’s environment was entirely responsible for who they would become.  The nature perspective claimed that a person’s unique inborn design established their identity.  And, surprisingly, this discussion went on for decades.

Although Freud was certainly not the first to explore this notion, many believe that the implementation of this thinking within western culture from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries was largely a result of his research and writing.  In fact, many of us reading this book may have been taught the uncorroborated theories of Sigmond Freud in mainstream public education.  I know I was.

Regardless, Freud’s theories were not only very secular and humanistic, but markedly incorrect, unfounded, and un-Biblical.

——-

Soul health and spiritual maturity cannot be separated.  Our counselors are ordained Christian ministers as well as certified and licensed Christian counselors.  We are able to help you experience freedom from shame, anxiety, depression, or marriage / relationship conflict with methods that are purely Christ-centered.  Please click on this link to learn much more about how our ONLINE THERAPY can help you become a more authentic follower of Christ, and help you find freedom from identity dependence.

Life Training offers convenient sessions at our office in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as online counseling via Zoom or FaceTime.  Our non-profit counseling practice has an outstanding track record for over a decade helping men and women, individuals and couples who are ready to move beyond anxiety, depression, and conflicts in marriage or other relationships find hope and healing in their lives.  Contact us today at 502-717-5433, or by email at drdave@lifetrainingcounseling.org