Susan Bowman’s experience of twenty years in ministry underscores a reservoir of insight into the intricate facets of emotional and spiritual renewal. She underwent an immersive exploration of the scriptural significance of the heart, unearthing its profound nexus with our emotional landscape. Merging this revelation with scientific inquiries into the human heart, she unearthed a fundamental verity: entrenched within our hearts lie patterns that intricately mold our perspectives and life encounters. Susan demonstrates what she has discovered through her YouTube channel and her books, the goal being to help those who are lost. Today, she graciously shares her insights and the profound implications of this approach, offering a beacon of hope for those seeking enduring freedom and profound spiritual growth.
Can you give us an overview of Your Identity and the Heart? What inspired you to create this YouTube series?
I recorded Your Identity and the Heart as a complement to my first book, The Quiet Heart. Many people learn easier by hearing, while others are visual learners. I cover topics in the YouTube series that are not mentioned in The Quiet Heart such as performance orientation and parentification. Both of those topics are the focus of my second book, The Performing Heart. I also introduce the topic of fragmentation as it relates to performance orientation and parentification. All in all, Your Identity and the Heart is meant to supplement the Heart books. I’m currently working on a video series called What is the Biblical Heart? That series will cover the main components found in The Quiet Heart, but simplified as much as possible.
What topics or themes does the series explore regarding identity and the heart? How do these topics relate to your organization’s mission?
Well, I’m not sure if The Pool Ministries has a “mission” per se, beyond preaching the good news of the gospel. The preaching of that good news takes many forms in order to reach many people. I suppose this ministry’s piece of that mission is to equip believers to deepen their relationship with God—for their own personal benefit, of course—but also so that they can preach their piece of the good news with confidence and joy.
In what ways do you believe understanding one’s identity is essential for personal growth and well-being?
I don’t think anyone has a problem with understanding his or her identity. We all believe something about ourselves. The problem is the identity we have accepted about ourselves runs counter to the identity that God has given to us. By working directly with the belief system stored within the heart, we can locate the fallen identity that we have accepted and begin to partner with God to build the correct identity given to us through Christ.
How do you approach the concept of the heart in this series, and why is it significant in discussions of identity?
The word translated heart in both the Old and New Testament means the physical heart. The Bible refers to the physical heart over 750 times. Jesus calls the physical heart a storeroom. In Proverbs 4:23, we are instructed to guard this physical heart because what’s in it determines how we experience life. Romans 10:10 teaches that we believe with the heart. Understanding how the heart builds and stores our beliefs about life, others, and ourselves is an essential component to building a healthy identity.
Can you share some examples of the types of content and discussions viewers can expect to find in Your Identity and the Heart?
Most people are new to the science of neurocardiology. Many listeners find it very interesting that these medical researchers have discovered that what the Bible teaches about the heart is true. Learning the role of inner vows in locking into place heart beliefs is helpful to know. I think, overall, the video series offers a different perspective on how people believe and how to effectively take charge of what we believe.
Who is the intended audience for this YouTube series, and what do you hope viewers will gain from watching it?
The audience I think will be most attracted to this series are believers interested in learning how to grow and mature in their Christian faith. Others who are looking for help with bad habits and behaviors and for help overcoming trauma will find the series helpful. The information about the heart—its function as the storehouse of our belief system—applies to all people, so I think the series is helpful to all.
Are there any specific episodes or moments in the series that have had a particularly profound impact on viewers?
The videos on performance orientation and parental inversion (parentification) have garnered the most comments and discussions. People are having “a-ha!” moments and letting me know that they now understand why they are compelled to behave in certain ways.
Your Identity and the Heart appears to blend spiritual and personal development elements. How do you strike a balance between these aspects in the series?
I don’t see any difference in spiritual and personal development. If you grow spiritually, then you will grow as a person. Theologically, as Christians, we understand ourselves as spiritual beings. So, it is all wrapped together.
Are there plans to expand or continue the Your Identity and the Heart series in the future? If so, what can viewers look forward to?
My plan is to continue teaching about the heart. This understanding is so essential to our well-being in every way. The scripture teaches that a quiet heart (peaceful heart) is life to the entire body and a merry heart does good like a medicine. I cannot over-emphasize the importance of understanding the role of our hearts. Learning how to reprogram our belief system is essential to receiving and sustaining emotional healing.
Has the series received any feedback or testimonials from viewers that demonstrate its positive influence on their lives?
Oh yes. I get messages quite often expressing how helpful the series has been. One listener wrote
this:
“Please watch the 10 YouTube videos of the book also. For the past 3 years, I’ve been
working through the book and videos multiple times. I’m busy doing it now. Every time I’m
listening, reading and praying, ABBA shows me another area of my life to work on. I’m
recommending this book and YouTube series to everyone!! It’s from ABBA’S Heart.” —Marinda
Finally, what message would you like to convey to both your current viewers and potential new audiences about the value and significance of Your Identity and the Heart?
I’ve been in inner healing ministry for well over 20 years. During that time, I observed that people were not able to sustain their progress. So, I began looking into the biblical passages about the importance of the heart while also studying the scientific research being conducted on the human heart.
Medical researchers have discovered that patterns from our early life are stored within the heart. These patterns control how we see ourselves, others, and life. This aligns perfectly with Proverbs 4:23 that instructs us to Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life (NLT). From this information, I developed a heart-based approach to inner healing and deliverance. As I applied this approach, people began to heal and keep their healing. This heart-based approach has proven to be the key that makes it possible to receive and sustain life-changing inner healing.
Again, I have said it before, I cannot emphasize too much how important it is to understand your
heart.
Find the author
The Quiet Heart: A Foundational Guide to Inner Healing and Deliverance, Second Edition with Study Guide
If you are searching for healing from emotional and spiritual wounds, The Quiet Heart is for you. Susan Bowman, minister of inner healing and deliverance, skillfully guides you on a journey to the center of your own heart. You will learn how the beliefs hidden within your heart determine the course of your life. You will discover why painful patterns repeat and how to escape from those strongholds. Explore how to become the healer of your own heart. Step-by-step, prayerful instructions will lead you into freedom from the lies that bind. You can heal!
