Posted on by darleneishealedtospeak · 1 Comment

Deliverance at the Root

For healing and deliverance to occur, it must be plucked up from the root. However, I have learned that most people do not realize there is a root at all.

Many months ago, I watched a documentary about our U.S. prison system. It was one of the most heartbreaking documentaries I EVER saw. My heart broke as I watched it. All I could do was cry and pray.  What made it worse was the documentary was about women prisoners.

One female prisoner touched my heart. She said she began committing crimes at age seven. She spent most of her life in prison. She said while in prison she felt “safe and respected.” I thought, “What happened in her childhood that caused her to act this way?” Then the same question I thought about her, I asked myself. And it brought me back to my childhood.

Growing up, I could not trust women (and I am still apprehensive sometimes). For me, it was difficult to get close to women. After many years of feeling this way, I decided it was time to open myself up. Unfortunately, I felt hurt and betrayed when women that I admired turned out to be the opposite of what they portrayed.

Truth is, these feelings came from the experiences I had with my mother. As much as I wanted a relationship with her, it could not happen. She could not be what I needed her to be. Instead of seeking God about my pain, I unknowingly put that burden on other women. I expected them to be what I needed instead of seeking God. After this issue continued to resurface, I realized I had to deal with the root. I asked God to help me and he did, but the process was slow because the roots were deep. This was one of many areas I needed healing.

The difference between myself and the women in the documentary is I had an opportunity to deal with my roots.  Most of the women have not come to terms with their own root issues and some never will. Although the women are serving time in prison for the crime they committed outwardly, they are serving another sentence for their inward bondage. What hurt most was their greatest need is healing, yet there is a possibility that healing will never come…so I pray.

My question to you is…Have you gotten to the root of your issue? Do you know why you do what you do? Is there something from your past that you are still holding onto? Are you holding onto something God told you to release, yet you will not let it go? Are you holding onto unforgiveness? Past pain? Mistakes? Issues with your parent(s)? Do you repeat negative behaviors?

Contrary to what the world believes or what we think, the only way to deal with negative roots in our lives is through prayer and the Word of God. The Word of God is what penetrates the heart and the heart and soul is where all of our issues lie. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.”

Today I encourage and challenge you to expose the negative roots in your life to the Lord. He is the only person that can go deep enough to extract it out.

Prayer,
Father, I ask that you show me the areas of my heart and soul that are not rooted in deep pain. Help me to be healed and set free which is your will for me. Forgive me for the times you showed me those areas, but I refused to let you in those places of my heart. God, I repent, and I give you full access to my heart, mind, and emotions. You are a good God who has great plans for my life. Thank you for another chance to submit my life to you. In Jesus name I pray…Amen.

Blessings.

Scriptures
Hebrews 4:12
Jeremiah 29:11
Exodus 15:26

 

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

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

What Did God Tell You?

 
II Kings 20:5 – This is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.

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


Posted on by darleneishealedtospeak

God, I Did It Right This Time…

            Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

 

After being married for almost a year, I became pregnant with my first child. I was elated and a little scared at the same time because it had been ten years since that last time I was pregnant; but I was ready.

I thought to myself, this time I do not have to hide my belly; this time I can tell people; this time I am married and I have a man who truly loves me and is just as excited as I am about bringing a new life into the world. This time I am happy.

Then on Friday, November 23, 2007, it all changed. I went to work feeling good, but as the day progressed, I began to feel worse. I experienced cramping and later spotting. After I got home, I told my husband what I was experiencing and we reluctantly went to the emergency room.
We went to the hospital that evening and spoke with a cold and unsympathetic doctor who told us we were experiencing a miscarriage. I could not believe it and neither did my husband. Earlier that day, I had a feeling that it was happening but did not want to believe it so I prayed against it. Unfortunately, the miscarriage was becoming my truth.
How did things change so suddenly? This morning, I was happy with anticipation and by evening I had a feeling of grief so deep I could not share it enough to articulate. As the weekend slowly wore on, my heartbreak increased. Then, finally, it was over. I visited the doctor on Monday morning and there was no more baby. My brokenness was unbearable.
Then I thought, “God, I did it right this time.” I got married first and then had my baby. “Why is this happening?” “Did God love me?” If so, “Why did he allow this?” “Was I being punished for the things I did in my past?” “Is this punishment for having my first child out of wedlock?” “God Why?”
So…what do you do when you “do it right” and it still does not work out? You stand, trust and believe God’s plan for your life. Seems easy, but it is not especially when you are in the midst of your pain.  There are so many scriptures I could give, that give credence to this, but the one that comes to mind is one of my favorites which is Jeremiah 29:11, “for I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
A year later, I became pregnant again and we had our first son and two years after that, God gave me another baby that was part of His plan, but certainly not part of ours…lol…Praise God.

God gave me double for my pain and beauty for my ashes.  

The pain of losing a child never goes away, but I have peace knowing that I will see her at the appointed time. The bottom line is God is always in control even when things are out of control. He has a perfect plan that will always benefit us. However, it does not mean we will not experience pain to get to joy. But we still must trust the plan.

Love you all,

Darlene
#healedtospeak