Healing from abuse

 

When we are finally able to leave the hurt behind, we are much more effective in helping others who have experienced similar hurts.

All those years ago, when I was experiencing and writing about my insights into domestic violence, I knew that one day I would write a book about it, but I also kept hearing the small still voice of the Holy Spirit telling me I wasn't ready just yet, there was more I needed to learn...and to be healed from.

I couldn't help others until I was truly free in every way.

Today, I hold no animus against anyone. I lose no sleep at night being tormented by hurts others have inflicted on me. Giving abusers free rent in our heads doesn't bother them, in fact, they love it. But true freedom comes when we can sincerely pray for their freedom, for their happiness.

Doing so doesn't mean the abuse we suffered is minimized or invalidated, or that we must give them continued access to us by allowing them back into our lives. Their time for that is past. But it does mean that we can live our lives--every day--free from thoughts and emotions that will not only continue to harm us but others as well.

One thing that helped me walk away from excruciating emotional pain and crippling anger, was a question the Holy Spirit asked me, "WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR YOU TO FEEL VALIDATED, HOW MUCH PAIN WOULD HE HAVE TO ENDURE TO TAKE YOUR PAIN AWAY?"

I couldn't imagine that any amount of pain inflicted on my abuser could ever take my pain away or validate my suffering. In that moment, I gave it up. I knew I could never win that one. Wisdom is knowing when to throw in the towel, and my battle for validation and freedom from emotional pain was futile. I finally understood that it was a battle I was not created or equipped to win. That understanding enabled me to give all my pain and hard feelings to my Creator, who said, "Vengeance is mine..."

If those who hurt me were never sorry for what they did, then they have a bad time awaiting them. I don't wish harm on anyone, even those who caused me great suffering and distress. I pray they will come to true repentance and receive forgiveness from the only one from whom it really counts. My forgiveness is for me. My forgiveness is for my freedom. I have no control over theirs.

No one gets free rent in my head. And they shouldn't in yours either.

Quit Doubting, Trust God: Book Review

We are overcomers through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Reading Christine's story of [often miraculous] answers to prayer is a faith-building experience and a great source of comfort. 

Hers is a powerful voice for faith and HOPE as she shares her life-changing story with the world. Miracles do happen and more often than we think! This really is a story that inspires me to quit doubting and trust God. 

CAVEAT: I don't think the author set out to do so, but she has written her book in such a way, it is easy to use as a daily devotional...which is what I am doing!  

Quit Doubting, Trust God: Young, Christine: 9781638741244: Amazon.com: Books

 

About the author: When God laid it on Christine Young's heart to write her story, she initially resisted. It was a hard story to tell, and she would have to relive it to write it. Sad and embarrassing things would have to come into the light, unflattering stories would have to be told, and old wounds would have to be ripped open. But the Spirit of the Lord persisted until she gave in, clicked on her computer, and typed “Chapter One."

Her hope is that we will find her story interesting and see that God is ever so faithful. He will never put on us more than we can bear, and He teaches us through the trials so they can become our greatest strengths.

Recover Me: Search Me O God

 

"I have many things to show you but you cannot yet bear it When the comforter comes, he will show you all things"

Gotta do the hard stuff before we can truly walk in freedom and enjoy the good stuff.

* Join Hungry Hearts "Recover Me Extreme Discipleship" Group on Gab
https://gab.com/groups/39327

* Join Hungry Hearts "Recover Me Extreme Discipleship" Group on Gab
https://gab.com/groups/39327

* We are not engaged in rendering professional services. If expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought

Respecting Personal Boundaries and Convictions

 

Does someone you are close to pressure you to violate your convictions? It doesn’t matter if that person is pressuring you to engage in a sin that easily besets you or just plain does not respect your deeply held convictions or boundaries [regardless of what they might be]. Your convictions and boundaries are yours, and as long as they are not harmful to you or to others, you have a right to expect others to respect them. 

 Author and speaker, Jocelyn Andersen, is an eclectic Christian writer. She is a Bible teacher who writes about many subjects including Bible prophecy and equality of the sexes. She is best known for her advocacy in domestic violence awareness. Her book, Woman Submit! Christians & Domestic Violence, has been a staple in the library of resources on that subject.  

To receive Jocelyn's newsletters, subscribe HERE.

To receive an announcement from Amazon whenever a new book is released by Jocelyn Andersen, subscribe to Her Amazon author's page.

To Contact Jocelyn: Use the contact form in the sidebar of her blog at www.jocelynandersen.com to leave comments on her books, to reach her with questions, or to request for her to come and speak at your group. 

Every Christian Needs Recovery

 A general overview of 2 Corinthians 10 speaks to discipleship and Christian growth of course. It is a chapter known for spiritual warfare but should also be a part of every Christian's recovery from wrong thoughts, attitudes, addiction, or abuse.  

Christian growth/Discipleship/Recovery: It's a novel thought isn't it, that every Christian needs "recovery" from wrong thoughts, ideas, and attitudes, that have become entrenched in our psyches from years of living with secular and traditional worldviews. We begin our journey as Children of God by learning the truth that sets us free. 

Once we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit helps us see things differently, but our thoughts must undergo a transformation by the washing of the water of The Word. Daily Bible reading, along with the guidance of the Holy Spirit is a must for Christian growth and freedom from strongholds and sins that easily beset us. 

Spiritual growth does not happen automatically. It is something we must intentionally strive for. But as we add to our faith, we find that freedom often comes as we walk out our own deliverance according to the knowledge of and obedience to The Word of God.

One Key to Emotional Freedom and Biblical Recovery

 When, "Woman Submit!," was published, I began hearing from women who had survived domestic violence. I learned that many of them, though they had survived and gotten out, were still weighed down with so much baggage and didn't know how to get rid of it.

Here is a response from one woman: “I read the book and was just overwhelmed! It brought back a lot of those old feelings, but at the same time, explained some things I hadn't yet gotten a handle on....” 

We can be victims, survivors, clean, or sober and still not have dealt with emotional issues and sins (yes sins) that keep us from being everything God created us to be.

A big one that used to snare me, was self-pity. When I finally acknowledged self-pity was a sin that easily beset me, I was set free from anger and depression as well.

When I finally acknowledged the Word of God was true when it said that "ALL things WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD for them that love the Lord and are called according to HIS purpose," I was able to put away so regret, anger, self-pity, and so much more! I was able to praise God that he is able to use all my mistakes, sins, and bad experiences to work for HIS good and for good in my life and in the lives of others.

How wonderful to know that, though many years were stolen and wasted, my life has not been a waste. God has been able to use me for good and will continue to do so, as I follow him.

A thankful heart is key to freedom from any sin that easily besets us. Praise God in all things!

Have you been abused or hurt by someone you love? Have you turned to miserable comforters (some addiction or other harmful behaviors) that only continue hurting you and others?  Has God helped you to overcome? We'd love to here from you and pray with you. Leave comments below.

 Author and speaker, Jocelyn Andersen, is an eclectic Christian writer. She is a Bible teacher who writes about many subjects including Bible prophecy and equality of the sexes. She is best known for her advocacy in domestic violence awareness. Her book, Woman Submit! Christians & Domestic Violence, has been a staple in the library of resources on that subject.  

To receive Jocelyn's newsletters, subscribe HERE.

To receive an announcement from Amazon whenever a new book is released by Jocelyn Andersen, subscribe to Her Amazon author's page.

To Contact Jocelyn: Use the contact form in the sidebar of her blog at www.jocelynandersen.com to leave comments on her books, to reach her with questions, or to request for her to come and speak at your group.