Listen to the Part of Your Soul That Feels Abandonment

Please read these verses slowly and out loud. Read them as though Jesus is talking to you directly:

“Do not let your heart be troubled” (v. 1, 27).

“I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am” (v. 3).

“I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever” (v. 16).

“I will not leave you as orphan; I will come to you” (v. 18).

“Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My Father will love them, and We will come to them and make Our home with them” (v. 23).

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you” (v. 27).

“I am going away and I am coming back to you” (v. 28).

How does it feel to hear Jesus’ soothing words to you? 

Let’s take it a step further. Let’s take these same verses and personalize them in the context of the abandonment you experienced. 

Here are examples of what you can say to your abandoned part:

If you ask your part the last bullet point, make sure you listen for its answer—and do what it requested of you. If you help this part with whatever it needs, to where it can let go of the pain of abandonment, you will help it receive God’s peace.

Please thank your abandoned part for trusting you with its pain. And when you’re ready, reread this study to help your part with the next memory of abandonment.

May the Lord’s peace be with you and your part both.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/AntonioGuillem 

Dr. Audrey Davidheiser is a licensed psychologist in California, certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and IFSI-approved clinical consultant. After founding a counseling center for the Los Angeles Dream Center, she now provides IFS therapy for trauma survivors, including those with religious trauma, and assists in IFS trainings. She has been a regular writer for Crosswalk.com and columnist for iBelieve.com. Her book on how IFS helps the grieving process, Grieving Wholeheartedly, will be published by InterVarsity Press in July 2025.