We recognize that as you engage with this course, you might encounter moments where difficult emotions rise to the surface. Perhaps you notice your heartbeat quickening, you start to feel sweaty, fidgety, uncomfortable, or agitated.

We understand that by choosing to take this course, you're carrying burdens, experiences that have weighed heavily on your heart. Our deepest hope from the very beginning is that this space will be a sanctuary for you.

You've taken a significant step by engaging with this material, recognizing its importance for your life. We're here to guide you in connecting your past experiences with your present challenges.

Welcome to this journey of moving through trauma. My name is Matthias, and as a psychotherapist, I've spent countless hours listening to people navigate the complexities of their struggles. Interestingly, when individuals seek therapy, they rarely explicitly state, "I want to process my trauma."

You've reached the end, and that's a significant accomplishment. Most people avoid confronting their anxiety, but you faced it head-on, declaring your desire to heal.

We love God because He first loved us, enabling us to love ourselves. This means rejecting the lies that condemn us, the accusations that label us as broken or failures. Instead, we choose to believe we are loved, beloved, and redeemed, trusting God's truth over self-doubt.

Take a moment, close your eyes, and receive a blessing. Hear the truth of who you truly are. You are not defined by your anxiety, the swirling thoughts in your head, or the crippling fears that sometimes overwhelm you.

When God looks at your past, at all your mess, He doesn't see disappointment. Instead, He desires to impart His joy to you, to see you smile. Before we delve into prayer, let's acknowledge this truth: God loves you so deeply that He wants to bring you joy, regardless of your circumstances.