Healing Begins at Home: Creating a Safe Space

“May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:23

When we talk about healing, we often think only of the physical — a broken bone, an illness, or an injury. But God’s design for healing goes much deeper. He desires healing for our whole being — body, soul, and spirit.

Because we are created in the image of God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — we also exist as three parts:

• Body: what interacts with the physical world.

• Soul: our mind, will, and emotions.

• Spirit: the part of us that communes with God.

Our soul is the interface point between body and spirit. When we experience trauma, wounds in the soul can distort how we think, feel, and respond. Those wounds often produce lies we begin to believe about ourselves — “I’m not good enough,” “No one likes me,” “I’ll never measure up.”

But here’s the good news: healing and sanctification are possible. And it begins in the home.

 How to Create a Safe Place for Healing at Home

1. Create Space for Honest Conversations
   When your kids say things like, “I’m no good” or “Nobody likes me,” don’t dismiss or scold them. Instead, ask:

   • Who told you that?

   • Why do you feel that way?
     These questions help them think about what they’re thinking about and begin recognizing lies from the enemy.

2. Teach Them to Take Thoughts Captive
   Scripture tells us to “take every thought captive” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Kids (and parents too!) need to learn they have authority over their thoughts. Every thought can be tested against God’s Word:

   • Is this true?

   • Is this from God, from me, or from the enemy?

3. Model Forgiveness and Reconciliation
   Healing is impossible without forgiveness. Choosing to forgive isn’t excusing sin — it’s trusting God with the outcome. Reconciliation, when possible, allows relationships to be restored in humility and grace.

 Why This Matters

Every emotional outburst, every lie believed, every fear wrestled with is an opportunity to plant new seeds of truth. As parents, we have the privilege of creating an atmosphere where those seeds can take root and grow into lasting fruit.

Healing begins at home — when we create a safe space for truth, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

 Want practical tools to help?

• Download my free Forgiveness & Reconciliation printables (simple 4-step models to use with your kids).

• Explore my Healing from Wounds course — a guided 4-step process to walk you and your family through emotional and spiritual healing.

• Listen to the episode on the Family Room Mission Podcast