Posted on by darleneishealedtospeak

Are you on the run?

I Samuel 15:22 – “Tell me,” Samuel said. “Does the LORD really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn’t want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him.

Why do we run from God? Are we afraid? Do we think we know what’s best? Do we believe there is nothing he can really do for us? Have we allowed negative life circumstances to pull us away? Has the success of this life caused us to slowly run away? No matter what the reason, we must be sure that as believers we keep our focus which means keeping our eyes on Christ. It also means being obedient to what he tells us to do.

In last week’s post, I briefly mentioned my process to healing. In the beginning, I ran to God. I was excited and could not wait to go on the journey, however, when God began telling me things I needed to change and the people I needed to let go, I was scared; so instead of being obedient and moving toward God, I pulled away.
One of the things that caused me to run was a relationship. I was with someone I knew I no longer needed to be with, but the relationship gave me a sense of security (though it was false) and I stayed. One Sunday while in church my pastor at the time was teaching on getting rid of wrong people in your life. I knew God was speaking through him regarding my personal life and at that moment, I decided when I got home that day, I would tell this person our relationship was over.
I had such joy in my heart I almost skipped home. When I got to my apartment, I walked in and immediately shared what was on my heart. He was upset and said many things. He said so much that I began questioning God and decided to stay with the person. BUT, deep down in my soul, I KNEW nothing positive could become of it.
For the next month or so I was miserable. I no longer wanted to be with him and each day the feeling got worse. On top of that, each week when I went to church, I was reminded of my disobedience by not ending the relationship when God told me to. About two months later, I had enough and told him it was over, and I meant it (and he knew it). It was the best feeling because I was free. When he left, I repented to God for my disobedience and I began moving forward.
But, for not listening when I should have, I endured unnecessary fear and turmoil and it was my fault.
No matter what God is telling you, listen and move; no exceptions. I certainly understand the decision will be difficult, but if you do not listen to the instruction the consequences will be worse.
God ALWAYS has a better plan. God told me to let go because he wanted me healed and free. Funny thing is I asked God to help me heal and get free, but when he presented the plan, I didn’t obey and I ran. Funny how when we pray we don’t expect the answer to the prayer to be difficult. God is funny that way…
God always knows what’s best for our lives and he expects us to trust him. Even when we don’t trust Him his grace is there, but there WILL be consequences that may take us years to recover from.
Remember…obedience is better than sacrifice.
Blessings.
Darlene
#healedtospeak
Posted on by darleneishealedtospeak

Why I Started My Blog…

I had a childhood full of abuse and pain. As I got older, I dealt with many residual issues because of it. I did not trust people, I did not feel safe physically or emotionally, I got into wrong relationships intimately, socially and spiritually; I looked for love from people instead of receiving love from God, I did not like myself, I did not think I was pretty, I did not believe I was intelligent. When I got close to someone, it was easy for me to throw them away at the slightest notion that they would hurt me. I smiled through so many tears. I was depressed a lot and I felt I could trust NO ONE with my private struggles, secrets, and fears.

For years, I went to church as a completely broken person. Many times, I went to the altar for prayer and comfort, but many times felt nothing. I felt like I could not take one more thing; but ONE DAY, it all changed. One Sunday I remember there was an altar call
(I don’t remember what for). I pretty much ran down the aisle praying to God that he would use someone to help me, and that day He did.

A woman of God came up to me and the first words out of her mouth were, “God loves you.” I remember immediately breaking down and crying uncontrollably. It was the first time I heard those words and it was like God was whispering it to me and me only. And that day began my long journey to healing.

Several years after the Lord delivered me from many of my issues (I still have more 😊), I realized other women were experiencing some of the same pain I did. I learned women were broken and needed to talk, cry, scream and let it out. I learned many women sought healing, but did not know how to get it, where to get it, or how to let God in to receive it. Several women from my job, on the street, from almost anywhere and any age would begin talking to me and sharing their very personal stories. It took me a moment to catch on and realize God was using me as a listening ear. It was easy for me to listen because I knew the pain associated with not being able to talk and the pain of holding in secrets.

I started this blog to let women in pain know I LOVE them and I understand their pain. I know what it is like not to feel love, to go after love and receive hurt, not to trust and then smile through depression and tears while raising a child. I know what it is like to use relationships and material things to fill a void that only God can fill. I know what it is like to run from God out of fear that he will take things away; and I know what it is like to run back to him and then run away from him again.

I started this blog to tell women to drop the misconceptions of who you are supposed to be and just be who God created you to be. I created this blog to let women know you can be healed, but the choice is yours.

I started this blog to let women know that when you are finally healed, you will still be a work in progress…and IT IS OKAY. Just keep your faith and trust in Jesus. As we go through life we learn some things happen instantaneously and other times it is a process. It is the same with the healing journey. It is God’s will that we are healed, but the process is different for each individual. I started this blog to let you know I am here for you; whether it’s talking praying or just simply listening, I am here to help you through your journey as God sees fit for me to help.

Most importantly, I created this blog because God called me to. He decided to use me as a vessel to let you know He wants you to be healed. He has great plans for your life. His plans are so great that you cannot fathom them in your heart. Jesus is the ULTIMATE healer and I would not be healed if it was not for His love, grace, and patience towards me. And I want you to know he will extend the same love, grace, and patience towards you through your journey to healing.

I am grateful for the opportunity.

I truly love you all,
Darlene
#healedtospeak

Posted on by darleneishealedtospeak

Maintaining the Promise/Blessing (video)

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.

I pray each of you are well. Today I am discussing the topic of “maintaining the promise!” I pray you are encouraged by the video!

Blessings.
Darlene
#healedtospeak

Posted on by darleneishealedtospeak

Perfect Weakness

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

Posted on by darleneishealedtospeak

Can You Carry Me?

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