II Corinthians 1:20 – For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Blessings.
Darlene
#healedtospeak
II Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
I am amazed at how far the Lord has taken me. From a little girl who suffered unspeakable acts of abuse, rejection, and shame to a person who understands God’s love for her. From a person who did not believe she would ever receive love to a person who is married with her own family. From a person who did not believe she had gifts and callings to a woman who is using one of those gifts in which I am writing to you.
Then there are times I am amazed at how far I have to go. Those moments when I act in a way that is not pleasing to God. Those moments when I tell God I trust Him, yet my actions do not line up to what I speak out of my mouth. Those times in which I surprise myself by my own actions. Although I have been healed to speak, there are still areas of my life the Lord is still dealing with me about.
It is in those moments, I understand two things. First, God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness and second, His grace is sufficient for me.
No matter how mature we are in God, no matter what vision the Lord has given us and no matter what our calling is in Christ, there will always be areas we are weak and parts of our soul that require brokenness before the Lord.
Be humble, be a blessing and boast in your weaknesses so our God may be glorified. Let those around you know you were not always the person they see. Tell them there are times you struggle with the old you who still likes to show up. Then tell them you are grateful to God for the new creature you are in Christ, according to II Corinthians 5:7. Tell them it is not because of anything you did, but because of his grace towards you. Tell them it is the same grace that he will extend towards them according to Ephesians 2:8-9.
Someone is depending on your story. Are you willing to be open and share it? Are you willing to show your imperfections in order to show God’s perfection?
Blessings.
Darlene
#healedtospeak
Galatians 6:2 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
I often write on the subject of healing. I do this because of my own personal experiences. I also write on the subject because of the hurt God allows me to see in others. There are so many people walking around wounded and damaged. They have smiles on their faces, but their hearts are broken. They are defeated, depressed and suicidal yet many times will never show it. If we are not sensitive to the needs of others, (especially Christians) we can miss it.
For years, I walked around completely broken. I sought healing but at the time, I did not know how to go to God to receive my healing, so I sought it out in people. Unfortunately, I did not find the healing I needed and this happened for several reasons.
Many years after my own healing process, I realized there were others who experienced the same types of pain I did. Pain from their childhood, church, relationships, abuse and so on. My past pain made me sensitive to the current pain of others.
Each of us bear a responsibility to help those who are hurt. Sometimes people need to talk and we just need to listen. Then there are times a person will need more than just talking, and when we cannot help, we should point them in the direction of someone who can. How many of us have been too busy in our own lives to stop and listen to the burdens of others? How many of us have acted as if it is a hassle to listen? How many of us take the time to talk to someone with no agenda, other than the place of God’s love for others? How many times have we exchanged pleasantries such as “how are you?” the individual responds “fine” and we move right along without giving an actual thought to whether they are truly fine or not? Sometimes we forget life is not always about us.
Each of us has the power to help someone through the most difficult seasons of his or her life. Each of us can assist someone through their process of healing and let them know they are not alone. Can we be sensitive enough to see and to help? We need each other to survive. We cannot walk through this life alone.
Think about those moments you needed someone. When someone asked how you were doing and you responded fine knowing you were not. Despite whether or not you would vent to the person, there were times you needed to talk, but no one was there. I understand there are times the Lord isolates us so we may draw closer to him, however, he also commanded us to “carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ” according to Galatians 6:2.
We do not need to vent our issues each time and we should always be careful of who we vent our issues to, but there will be times we need a listening ear and an encouraging word. Philippians 2:4 says, “each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Will you answer the call and be there for someone else? My prayer is we all will.
Blessings.
Darlene
#healedtospeak
Six weeks ago, I found out I had to get all four of my wisdom teeth removed. I have to admit I was terrified. I have never had any issues with my teeth, not a cavity…nothing; so finding out I had to get something done did not make me happy. Three weeks later, I reluctantly scheduled the extraction surgery. On Monday, January 15, I went into the office wide-eyed and terrified, but after the procedure was re-explained, I was more relaxed; especially since my husband was in the room with me.
As the dental technician began prepping me, the dreaded question came that a lot of women hate and that is “what is your weight?” To be honest, for the last 6 years I have come to HATE that question. I never did before, but after I had my second child, I had many complications that have spilled over and remained even after he was born and my weight has been one of them.
I told him my weight and there was silence. It bothered me slightly, but I let it go because I know I have been working on it. Again, they are taking my blood pressure and for some reason, it is exceptionally high, which is very in usual. After 30 minutes of observing my pressure to see if it would decrease, It did not, so I decided to use wisdom and come back another time. On January 22, I returned to the office with no fear, sat in the chair and the dental technician began the drill of hooking me up and starting an IV. This time the dentist enters the room and again the dreaded question comes, “what is your weight?” I answered and again silence.
Once again, my pressure is up. Now I am frustrated wondering what is going on! I take my health seriously and I have never been careless, so now I am truly confused. After an hour of poking me with IV’s and giving me medication that was supposed to lower my pressure, again I decided I did not want to proceed and I would reschedule the appointment. At this point, quite honestly, I was frustrated. I have been doing the right things and I cannot believe the struggle I have been experiencing trying to lose this weight.
Now, I understand any physician stating the facts and I believe it is important; however, I could tell the dentist was anxious about wanting to say something about my weight. The doctor looks at me and says, “your pressure is up because you have to change your lifestyle.” “You don’t take care of yourself and if I proceed with the surgery, you can die right here on the table or have a stroke.” I walked out of the office, walked to my car and silently cried.
I trust and believe in God and quoting His word, but at the time, I was completely devastated and I allowed my emotions to get the best of me. It was not until about midnight as I was in prayer that the Lord said, “what is it that I told you?” At that moment, my faith was lifted and I began to write to you.
This is what I feel led to leave with you. If you KNOW you are doing what you SHOULD and you are still not seeing the results regardless if it is your weight, finances, job, marriage, or whatever, you keep fighting the good fight of faith because GOD SEES ALL and KNOWS ALL.. All God’s promises made to you are YES and AMEN according to II Corinthians 1:20.
God knows what I have been doing as it relates to my health and by faith, I am healed and free in Jesus Name. So whatever you face, remember what God said about the situation not man. It does not matter what it looks like. He may delay what he told you, but He will never deny you.
Blessings.
Darlene
#healedtospeak
Healed To Speak 