What is abuse? How does a child experience abuse? Abuse can be so subtle that we may not even realize its effect on our lives. Or, at the opposite end of the spectrum, our own history of abuse may have trapped us in cycles of self-pity and damaging introspection. In fact, a high percentage of people have experienced some abuse as a child, whether physically, psychologically, sexually or spiritually. Ignoring this fact doesn’t make it go away, but bringing it to the light in a healthy way will result in healing and life.

The word “love” rolls so casually off of our lips that we may never stop to consider its full meaning. In his book Dr. Awsam discusses four manifestations of love: family love, friendship, romance and unconditional love—all of them essential for our functioning.

If you were asked to write a letter introducing yourself, what would you say? Would you focus on your weaknesses and failings or would you want to make everything appear bright and shiny? Come explore how your self image affects your choices, your ability to succeed and your capacity to find contentment with who you are and with life.

Addiction–depending on a substance or behavior or relationship in an unhealthy way so that can’t live without it. When this happens we lose control and can no longer manage our lives. A person can be addicted to alcohol, drugs or food; to shopping, gambling, computer games. Others become workaholics, rageaholics, addicted to approval, or to another person emotionally or sexually. As humans, pretty much anything that meets a need can become an addiction. This book tackles the issues of addiction and recovery, includes a 12-step recovery program and examines the question of addiction as sin or illness.

Sadness is a normal part of our lives with its ebbs and flows. We may find ourselves experiencing deep sadness in difficult circumstances, or grieving for a period of time, but when the season passes, peace and happiness return. Depression, however, goes beyond just ‘having the blues’ and can become a crippling disease that shuts down a person’s life. It rears its ugly head too often–depression is the primary causes of disability in the developed world, and (after heart disease) the second most common cause in the developing world. Depression has multiple roots, a variety of symptoms and an array of treatments. Our makeup as beings who are soul, spirit and body means that any treatment must also be holistic, ultimately looking to our Creator for the final solution.

Homosexuals make up 5-10% of the global population, yet our ignorance of them is much greater .Dr. Awsam discusses the origins and development of homosexual desire and how it is possible to change. He treats homosexuality not as an issue of sexuality, but as a social, psychological and spiritual issue that indicates a crisis in the family and an absence of love and depth of relationships. He urges the Church community to adopt Christ’s point of view toward homosexuals—to love and to bear with them and to reject the conspiracy of silence and ignorance that dominates, especially in the Arab world .Included are stories of individuals who left their homosexuality behind them to find hope and healing.

Who am I? Where am I going? Not many people can answer these questions ! When we grow up in a family and a community that has an understanding of the innate value of being human and the knowledge that we are loved, we will have a foundation to grow on the rest of our lives. Without these foundation stones, we will spend our lives looking for dignity, love and value in the ways that may be dysfunctional or hurt us .God has given us the gift of free will. As we choose to renew our minds, we can leave behind even entrenched lies that limit us. As a result, we can manage our emotions and control our behavior, and begin to grow in areas as practical as money management, relationships and time management. As the reader understands and masters the steps to self-development you will be able to put together your own plan for growth.