Restoration in Chaos: Self-Harm, DBT, and the Hope of Christ

Romans 8:22–24"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?"

Psalm 73:21–26"When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

The groans of creation resonate in my soul, desperate for the day when all things will be restored. Indeed, there will be a new order of things eternally established, with no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21). As a counselor and human being, I know others can relate to the despair that descends when we look around within ourselves, our families, and our communities. How quickly I become blinded, my spirit embittered by this hopelessness.

Jesus promises that not only will this come to an end, bringing order and peace forevermore, but that He is always with us (Matthew 28). Therefore, there is hope in this life, too, because He did not come and leave us to it. In fact, Jesus descended with us into the depths of death and despair in order that we may, afterward, be taken into glory and, presently, be strengthened by His grace, everlasting love, and restoration of brokenness.

Face to Face with Suffering

In the counseling room, one of the many ways that I see hurting people attempting to cope with this suffering is by self-harm, or non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Jesus designed us to need one another and to love others in the way that He loves us. So, in order to restore hope, it is important to descend with my clients into their pain, while tethered to the truth that Jesus provides a spacious, lighted refuge in the midst of it. Additionally, God has provided tools to address such struggles, in accordance with His truth, using scientifically supported approaches.

What Is NSSI?

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) refers to “the intentional destruction of one’s own body tissue without suicidal intent and for purposes not socially sanctioned.” These actions may include cutting, burning, or hitting oneself. NSSI occurs most often in adolescents and young adult populations.

Why do people self-injure? Research shows that these behaviors are usually coping mechanisms that people use to manage or relieve difficult and overwhelming emotions. While it is sometimes assumed to be attention-seeking, NSSI is most often rooted in this need for relief and should not be negatively viewed as a manipulation tactic.

Clinical Integration

One effective method for treating individuals who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Developed by Dr. Marsha Linehan, DBT provides a structured framework for recognizing and managing the emotional chaos that often accompanies self-harming behavior. It centers on four core skill sets that build upon one another: Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.

• Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment without judgment—observing physical surroundings, sensations, thoughts, or emotions with awareness and acceptance.

• Distress Tolerance refers to the ability to manage emotional upheaval, even when those emotions feel overwhelming or disproportionate to the situation.

• Emotion Regulation builds on distress tolerance and equips individuals to respond to emotions in a healthy, intentional, and balanced way.

• Interpersonal Effectiveness involves cultivating skills for forming and maintaining positive relationships. This includes effective communication, conflict resolution, empathy, and setting appropriate boundaries.

  
  

Together, these DBT skills provide a powerful and compassionate approach for individuals learning to manage intense emotions and reduce self-harming behaviors.

Biblical Integration

Scripture is abounding with ways to practice these skills in Spirit-empowered ways. Here are just a few examples of how this may be integrated:

Mindfulness and distress tolerance: Matthew 6:25–27"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"

Emotional regulation and distress tolerance: Psalm 107:13–14"Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains."

Romans 12:12"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Interpersonal Effectiveness: Hebrews 10:24–25"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Conclusion – Jesus in the Chaos

The Gospel of Mark, chapters 4 and 5, beautifully illustrate the power of Jesus’ restoration during His time on earth. Jesus calms a violent storm that terrifies His disciples. He restores a demon-possessed man living among the tombs—isolated, tormented, and self-harming. Jesus steps into this chaos, moving toward suffering, and brings peace, calming the waves and restoring the man to his right mind.

These aren’t just ancient stories. They show what Christ continues to do today: enter our disorder and bring healing, peace, and hope. Jesus does more than calm the storms of our lives. He willingly enters into them with us, bearing with us in suffering and teaching us by example how to navigate the pain of this human world. The same voice that spoke light into darkness in Genesis 1 is the voice that commands the storm to be still. We can trust Him to speak order into our chaos.

God reveals His power in our weakness. After the suffering man in Mark 5 is healed, Jesus sends him back to his people to tell them what God has done. Our healing is not meant to be hidden. The scars of life—on our hearts or bodies—can become testimonies of hope and restoration.

Recommended Reading

Langberg, Diane – Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores

Mary Emeline's Interview with BCF on"How Counseling Brings Freedom"

References

Clinical Sources

Klonsky, E.D., & Muehlenkamp, J.J. (2007). Self-injury: A research review for the practitioner. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 63(11), 1045–1056.https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20412

Nock, M.K., et al. (2006). Cognitive, affective, and behavioral features of self-injury in adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 115(3), 616–627.

Hooley, J.M., & St. Germain, S.A. (2014). Nonsuicidal self-injury: Diagnostic challenges and current perspectives. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 10, 2011–2019.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4244874

Linehan, M.M. (1993). Behavioral Tech, LLC. (n.d.). Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). https://dialecticalbehaviortherapy.com/.

Biblical References

Mark 4–5. NIV

Romans 8:22–24. NIV

Psalm 73:21–26. NIV

Revelation 21:4. NIV

Matthew 28:20. NIV

Matthew 6:25–27. NIV

Psalm 107:13–14. NIV

Romans 12:12. NIV

Hebrews 10:24–25. NIV

Genesis 1. NIV