 Which is the most relevant question?
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 (NIV)
. . . because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2 (NIV)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (NIV)
I so much want to forgive and let go. I was physically & mentally abused by my mother and my dad was too afraid to do anything. Even when the family doctor told my dad to get me away from her, he couldn’t. matter what I did it wasn’t good enough for my mom. Dad didn’t it couldn’t show any emotions. Add to this my mother committed suicide when I was 19, never telling me she loved me. Oh but I happened to have a sister that wad blonde, blue-eyed, slim and pretty. I was the one they hid because I had a weight problem. My sis always had the best clothes, charge accounts at restaurants, and got to do what she wanted. Needless to say I ended in a lot of abusive relationships and never really knew what love was and probably still don’t. I was blessed to have ,2 children, but my son was murdered 8 years ago by 2 people trying to rob him. He was only 29, had 2 children. Since his death my daughter doesn’t like to come around. Says there’s too many memories in my home. And just think Jesus picked me up when I was strung out in 1996, I go to church, love the lord, but feel I let him down so much. And the most ironic thing is, I work in the prayer ministry. Ever feel like the lord is answering all your prayers for others, but not yours. I guess I’ve still got a long way to go before He can use me. Problem is I wasted so much of my life and now at 59, I so want the lord to use me, but how much longer until the inside of me is cleaned up that I might be of use to help others. Thanks and God bless you.
Dear Cherlyn, First off don’t listen to Satan. You are being used. Second God loves you so much. Read Psalm 139:14 says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. John 1:12 says you are God’s child. Ephesians 1:1 says you are a saint a holy one. Ehesians 1:2 says you are God’s workmanship, created for God works. Ephesians 3:12 says you can approach God with freedom and confidence. Phil1:6 says the good work Godbegan in you he will complete. You are precious in God’s eyes. I did a formal prayer session using Neil Anderson “The Steps To Freedom” I think you can buy online. My life changed in 1995 when I did this booklet. I still walk in freedom, I choose to forgive _______________for______________and it made me feel________. I had to forgive my dad forvhis alcoholism. I love Suzanne book because she is so real. Please know you are loved. Romans 8:35-39 nothing can separate you from the love of God. Celebrate who you are and know Satan is working overtime to make you feel bad. Blessings Diana
Cheryl,
my heart hurts for you, friend. Tears welled up in my eyes as I read your comments…I’ve never commented in a post, ever. Mostly because I’ve been dealing with my own pain. But for the 1st time recently, I’ve given my heart and soul to Him, completely. You see, I’ve always been a believer and felt the same way, why me? When is enough enough? When am I able to be used to bring His glory to someone else? There is so much hope in letting go of the past for me recently. When I began to really, really let go of some things, I have felt His overwhelming power come into my dark, dismal life like never before! It’s not been easy. I have 3 children and in my mid 40’s with a marriage from the pits of you-know-where. I thought all was lost…I can’t spit out bible verses or say anything earth shattering, yet…but, I know first hand, the power of forgiveness and trust in God, to be the only thing to unshackle my heart and soul from the bondage that sooooo enslaved me.
You’ll see:) give it to Him, completely. We were never meant to carry it in the first place…you are in my prayers. Donna
God bless you and thank you – I know what it’s like to be a marriage from you know where – I pray that one day God will Bless you with your Boaz – as you become more and more His Ruth.
I will keep you in my prayers. Cherlyn
Cherlyn, Thank you for sharing your story. You are correct in that we need a place to be able to say, “this is what happened”.
And we also need encouragement that things can change inside of us.
May I encourage you to take several days to go through the studies. They are marked under both “videos” and “faith – forgiving” in the categories. The first begins with “not what was, but what can be”, and that’s my heart. . . that there are new days ahead and new chapters to be written in women’s stories. If you read my story, and that of others, you see we can identify with some of the harder aspects of what you went through, but we can also identify with what our Savior can do in the power of His healing, His leading, His touch on our lives. Sometimes those moments are so small that we might not recognize them, but it’s a shift in perspective, or a feeling that once was so large and now it no longer dictates how we see life, or a realization of who we are in Christ. Soak in those teachings. Surrender to whatever God has for you (as we do the same), and understand that everybody’s healing path doesn’t look the same. For some of us, it’s a lifetime of growth and miracles. For others it seems “instant”. But it’s not about anybody else. It’s about God and you. ~ Suzie
Wow….first of all, as I read these comments, i’m reminded that Satan hates women and will use anyone to destroy us,,starting when we are born…parents, sex abusers and so on…it is because God has such an amazing call on our lives and Satan wants to interrupt that call…We must forgive, including ourselves and start walking in the call God has placed on our lives….We must help other women by telling our stories and praying for them….God bless you sweet women…BTW, last year at this time, I hated my life and wished I were dead, but God met me where I was and filled me with the precious Holy Ghost and after going to therapy for a year, I’m 100% improved…If you can get Christian counseling, I recommend it….Blessings…Janet
Hi Janet – thanks for your comments – I’ve been undergoing Christian counseling for over 5 years – and yet I don’t see the breakthrough that others have had. Maybe I’m looking for something so spiritual that I’m missing what’s right here. But we must help each other – when do we get to take off the church masks and just become real. Churches are supposed to be for the hurting – yet we as women feel we have to keep up the blessed and highly favored approach. More often than not that person sitting next to us is going thru so much – but for fear of being told “she doesn’t have enough faith – so how God use you” she keeps quiet – suffering so much pain.
We are our sisters’ keepers. God bless you now and always – Cherlyn
I’m so grateful to hear how much you have healed in a year, and excited with you over what God will do in the next year, and the next. There are deeper wells ahead. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story.