My Comforter

Over the past few weeks, I have seen God as my provider and sustainer.  Given this, I spent time reflecting on the aspects about God I have seen.  He is Savior, Friend, and Comforter, among others.

Of these, God has most often been my Comforter, especially as I dealt with my past and struggled with my insecurities.  He would oft remind me that I am valuable to Him and have a purpose in the world.  He would teach me about finding security in myself and my relationship with Him.  No matter how often I would forget, He patiently reminded me that my life is His and He has a great purpose for me. 

This came into focus when I felt so worthless that I contemplated just giving up.  As I struggled through many sleepless nights and lacked ears to hear His voice, He patiently called me back.  When I came close to following through, He held me back and reminded me of His great love manifested in His church.

Here I am, 3 and half years later and He is now far more than a comforter.  He is Lord of my life and my story is not about me.  It is about God who loves us so very much that He would give His own Son to be the ultimate sacrifice.  How awesome and amazing He is! 

If you do not Christ as your Savior, there are many of us who are willing to share the truth of a God who would love you that much.  If you do know Christ as Savior, God is there with you every step of every day.  All you need to do is look to the cross and trust Him to save you.

A Reason For The Pain

Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."

John 9:3

 

The people had just asked Christ, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he is blind."  In the days of Christ's ministry, any infirmity or disability was viewed as a direct result of sin, whether that person's or the previous generation's.  Nothing just happened. 

When I read this passage, I internally jumped for joy.  I finally had an answer to this question, "why do bad things happen to good people?"  I struggled with this question in a more specific sense: Why did God allow me to be abused?  I knew that He would work good from the situation, but I just couldn't see why God would allow it or what I had done to deserve it.  I finally came to the realization that sometimes bad things just happen.

Bad things happen, but not without a purpose.  God has a plan to show His works through every situation if we would let Him.  Are you willing to let God work through your struggles and trials?  Are you willing to give it to Him that He may be glorified?

 

This does not negate the pain.  I know well how much it will hurt, even years after the fact.  However, to begin to heal, I have learned that I must look to God above who will help me through the pain. 

 

Challenge:  Reflect on a trying time in your life.  If it is recent, consider the ways God could be glorified and what His purpose may be.  If it is a more distant situation, consider what He has done through this difficulty and how He has shown Himself and His great works.

Invisible No More

Like so many, I have tried to be invisible.  I feared telling others about my past because I don't have the scars that people can physically see.  I carry scars deep within.  In fact, many are still open wounds that have yet to become healed scars.  

I began sharing my story when I reached a point that where my life was at stake.  I reached out for help... And met mixed reactions.  Those who knew nothing about it made light of the situationa and even accused me of doing it for attention.  Fortunately, I met with far more who understood enough to offer their support rather than their judgment.

Regardless of the reactions, I began to feel free.  I no longer had a deep, dark secret.  I had a story worth revealing.  I found that little girl who loved life and people.  I found the creative and happy part of me.  And I began to heal.

I am not invisible, even though the scars are.  I challenge you to tell your story.  Speak it here.  Talk to a few trusted friends or family members.  Shout it from the rooftops if you need to.  Never let anyone diminish the pain you suffer.  You are not invisible.  You are special and wonderful.  You are loved and deserved to be loved with a love that never hurts. 

May God bless you tonight and always.

The Dream of Innocence

Tonight, I am finding myself a little stuck because I am facing a topic I know little of, innocence.  At a very young age, men stole my innocence by violating me in addition to other forms of abuse.

The sad reality is that many children have their innocence stolen from them.  So what now?  Do we wallow in self-pity and fear the world around us?  Do we allow the past to steal our future? 

I challenge you to something better, to surviving, thriving, and overcoming the past.  Let's make a stand and tell our abusers that they may have stolen our innocence by "educating" us at a young age but they cannot dictate our future.  They cannot take our happiness away. 

Stand strong, stand proud.  Overcome shame and be proud of the fact that you did survive and can overcome anything the world may throw at us.