You know how life sometimes feels like a rollercoaster, and not the fun kind? We all carry emotional scars that sneakily affect how we make choices, deal with people, and even how we see our spiritual path. In her eye-opening book, Absolute Resolve, Jessie Beebe shares a refreshingly honest method called “Stop – Look – Listen.” This practical framework offers a path to emotional and spiritual freedom by helping individuals confront the lies they believe about themselves, others, and even God.
Now, let’s talk about what this involves, why it is so necessary, and how it is the foundation of a process of healing our souls.
The Foundation of Inner Healing
Inner healing is about addressing the invisible wounds that disrupt our peace and joy. Regardless of originating from a past abuse, personal conflicts, or implied things we over the years have ingested as truths – they affect the extent to which we are capable of embracing life. Jessie Beebe and others note that while healing is a mental exercise it is also a religious one that involves a spiritual dimension that is coded in faith in God.
In Absolute Resolve, Jessie opens up about her anxiety, doubt, and self-worth, how the process of learning Stop – Look – Listen saved her life. Of course, it’s a method that informs people to take time, reflect upon what you think is right and then get to know the truth from God.
Breaking Down the Stop – Look – Listen Approach
1. Stop: Recognize the Lies
The first step, “Stop,” involves identifying the negative thoughts or emotions that disrupt your peace. Jessie explains that these often manifest as overreactions or recurring patterns in our behavior. For example, a minor criticism at work might trigger disproportionate feelings of inadequacy.
These emotional “flare-ups” serve as warning signs, signaling that deeper issues are at play. Stopping allows us to pause and acknowledge these feelings without judgment. It is about creating space to discern what is truly happening beneath the surface.
Example: Jessie recounts a moment when a seemingly small comment about her organizational skills spiraled into a full-blown emotional meltdown. Through the Stop step, she realized that her reaction was tied to childhood experiences of feeling “not good enough.”
2. Look: Examine the Root
The second step, “Look,” involves digging deeper to uncover the origin of these negative thoughts or emotions. This is where introspection meets prayer. Jessie encourages readers to ask questions like:
- Where did this belief come from?
- Is this thought rooted in truth or a lie?
- How does this align with what God says about me?
By taking the time to look inward, we begin to identify the lies we have believed—often implanted during formative years through trauma or negative experiences. Jessie refers to these as “freedom opposites,” such as fear (opposite of peace) or doubt (opposite of confidence).
Example: Jessie shares the story of Stephen, a man who reacted angrily when his wife accidentally discarded a sentimental item. By looking inward, Stephen uncovered a childhood memory of his father dismissing his feelings, which had left him with a deep-seated belief that he did not matter.
3. Listen: Replace Lies with Truth
The final step, “Listen,” is about seeking God’s voice to replace the lies with His truth. This step requires intentionality in prayer, scripture meditation, and openness to the Holy Spirit. Jessie reminds us that God’s truth is always accessible, but we must quiet the noise of our minds to hear it.
Listening involves affirming what God says about you, others, and Himself. It’s a transformative step where the renewal of the mind begins, as described in Romans 12:2: “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Example: In Stephen’s case, listening to God’s truth helped him replace the lie “I don’t matter” with the biblical affirmation “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
Why the Stop – Look – Listen Approach Matters
This approach is a powerful tool because it addresses both the psychological and spiritual dimensions of inner healing. By recognizing the lies we have internalized, examining their origins, and replacing them with God’s truth, we begin to experience true freedom.
Jessie’s framework emphasizes that healing is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. It requires patience, self-compassion, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. The Stop – Look – Listen method provides a practical, repeatable way to navigate this journey.
Applying the Stop – Look – Listen Approach in Daily Life
Here is how you can incorporate this approach into your everyday life:
- Start Your Day with Awareness: Begin each day with a moment of prayer and reflection, asking God to reveal any hidden lies or areas needing healing.
- Pause in Moments of Distress: When you feel triggered, take a step back and “stop.” Allow yourself a moment to breathe and acknowledge your feelings.
- Journal Your Thoughts: Use the “Look” step to journal about recurring patterns or emotions. Writing can help you uncover connections between past experiences and present reactions.
- Meditate on Scripture: During the “Listen” step, meditate on verses that affirm God’s truth about your identity, such as Jeremiah 29:11 (“For I know the plans I have for you…”) or Romans 8:37 (“We are more than conquerors…”).
Real-Life Transformations Using This Approach
Many individuals who have implemented the Stop – Look – Listen approach testify to its effectiveness. Here are a couple of real-life scenarios based on Jessie’s insights:
Case 1: Overcoming Self-Doubt Megan struggled with persistent feelings of inadequacy at work. Every small mistake felt like a monumental failure. By practicing the Stop – Look – Listen approach, she realized her fear stemmed from childhood experiences of being harshly criticized. Through prayer and scripture, she replaced the lie “I’m not good enough” with the truth “I am chosen and loved by God” (Ephesians 1:4).
Case 2: Healing from Unforgiveness Tom found it difficult to trust others due to past betrayals. Using this method, he uncovered the root of his bitterness and invited God to help him forgive. By listening to God’s truth, Tom was able to replace the lie “People always let me down” with “God’s love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).
Conclusion
Stop – Look – Listen approach is not only an efficient method, it becomes a help for anyone who suffers from within. This deep and profound Message from Jessie Beebe makes us realize that in freedom we are not just freed from the pain but that we actively search for things that really make us free.
When you are managing anxiety, self-doubt, or even unresolved anger, this book provides a very effective, palpable approach. Instead of continuing on the same path of accepting the lies, seeking for their source, and hearing only the lies you experience the liberty that God promised to His people.
Are you ready to take the first step? Stop. Look. Listen. And let God lead you to the healing and freedom He desires for you.
