Healing old wounds, stopping old sins

Talking with author Ken Kniepmann about his newly-released book, 'Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin.'

Christmas is still lingering in some of our houses as straggles of tinsel and evergreen find their ways into our vacuums but — heads up — Lent is only a month away! Aleteia had the opportunity to ask author Ken Kniepmann about his newly-released book, Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin, which is based on a popular spiritual healing program designed by Bob Schuchts and the John Paul II Healing Center. This daily Lenten devotional offers a unique approach to fasting and sin, helping us reexamine the psychological and spiritual roots of those sins which have a great hold in our lives, while sharing reflections and prayer exercises for acquiring virtue.

What inspired the book?

Mostly what I’ve been witness to at JPII Healing Center. I’ve come see how sin is often able to remain in our lives because it is connected to deeper things within us, like fear, despair, and hopelessness. I’ve witnessed the powerful ways in which God brings real healing to hurt and pain, and a release from the sin that has often been a “fruit” of that pain.

Can you share a particular story about the sort of healing you have witnessed?

One man struggled with a subtle, quiet pride, which was evident in a self-reliant life-style. As he examined his life, and looked at the prominent theme of self-reliance in his life, he realized that it was rooted in emotions and beliefs that “he was alone.” His life experience of “being on his own” had become an unholy self-sufficiency. As the man allowed God to minister to the deep beliefs, he was able to trust God with his life and live in a new freedom that was free from fear and striving.

What story or anecdote in this book most personally resonated with you?

What most resonates with me is the analogy that helps to understand sin in a little different light. When we begin to look at sin as a “fruit,” it actually frees us to ask the question, “What is the ‘tree’ that my fruit/sin grows on?” In the experience of ministry and my own life, sin is universally a response to some type of hurt or deficit within us. When I look at my own sin, it’s vitally important for me to look deeper within myself if I want to really uproot that sin from my life.

Did writing this book teach you anything?

I personally believe that God’s desire is to bring us more deeply to Him, and that few things do that better than stretching us in new areas. In writing this book, I learned some new disciplines and the importance of paying attention to the input and constructive criticism of those that were a part of this effort.

If there is one person you want to reach with this book, who would that be?

The person who has lost heart—who believes God has forgotten them and that in their desperation for healing or breakthrough, has come to believe that it will never get better. It will. It does.

What is the ideal beverage to have in hand while reading your book?

In the natural, the ideal beverage is probably a cup of hot tea. In the spiritual, I’d suggest a long drink from the well of expectant faith, hope, and gratitude.

Healing old wounds helps break the hold of old sins