Trail Marker #35 From Brokenness to Ministry: A Journey of Healing

Life here on earth has brokenness. This happens through choices either from other people or choices we have made. God promises in Jeremiah 30:17, "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’. He desires to give you beauty for ashes. (Isaiah 61) Transformation is waiting for you. 

There are different types of trauma. Take a  moment and write down one thing that you have experienced that you want transformation and healing. 

Throughout my life I have viewed my traumas as barriers to living the life I would love. Those barriers isolated me from not only having dreams and ambitions but I allowed them to limit deep relationships with others and God. 

I choose to believe that the sexual abuse that I experienced defined who I was created to be. The false shame was a limiting belief where I did not accept the scriptures that I was worthy, loved, cherished, chosen. Have you felt this way? Perhaps your trauma is different from my own. No matter what you have experienced it is important to notice what you are noticing. Are there limiting beliefs that are holding you back from living the life you would love?

I am so happy and grateful that a young woman sat down to listen to my story, my anger, and showed me love in my depressed state. She opened up God's word to reveal the truths which challenged my limiting beliefs. It was during that time that I made a choice to listen. Our choices drive the outcome we have in life. 

The trajectory of my life changed from being a victim to finding victory. God turned my trauma into a testimony of healing and freedom. The thoughts that I had of false shame were wiped clean with the truth that what happened to me was not my fault. I was not dirty, and unwanted. It is the same with you, beautiful, you are not a victim. I encourage you to accept the beauty for ashes.

Speak out loud the truth God speaks in scripture. If you are struggling with trusting God and His word, take time to ask Him for revelation of His love. Ask Him to show you his trustworthiness. He wants you to cry out to Him. There is nothing you can say that He doesn't already know.  

The healing did not happen overnight. Through multiple counselors and prayer I began to unlock the trauma. I took the time to feel the feelings, which were ugly. My cries to God were deep, heart wrenching, and desperate. Some days all I could pray was "Help." Accept yourself for where you are at.

Just as with Joseph forgiving his brothers he states, in Genesis 50:20 "“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” There is good that is going to come from this journey. He has a purpose for you to live an abundant life.

It was in 2000 that I heard very clearly that God wanted me to help women who had experienced abuse. Following that calling did not happen right away because of the limiting beliefs I was still holding onto. Over time God did give me a ministry that has transformed many lives but also transformed mine at an even deeper level.

He wants to do the same for you. He can take your brokenness and turn into a ministry. Taking what you have learned about your trauma both the good and the bad you can pour love into another life.

It reminds me of the woman at the well (John 4). Her life was messy. Her feelings of shame and inadequacy are evident when you read the story of her meeting Jesus. When she chose to receive His love, His living water, her limiting beliefs were gone. She went to everyone she met to tell them what God had done. Her trauma truly became a testimony to all that heard. 

Today I want you to take a piece of paper. Fold it from left to right. One the left right the heading "Dark Night." The right side write the heading "Truth." Write down the things that have happened that were dark seasons of your life. Spend more time writing down what you have learned from those events or circumstances. What truths is God revealing to you about those times? Yes, the trauma happened but it is not the rest of your story. As Jeremiah 29:11 states, "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."

As a life coach, I am here to guide you through this healing journey. Join me for a 12 week one-on-one coaching program to take your hurts and heartbreak to hope and healing. Schedule a FREE 30-minute discovery call to learn more. https://calendly.com/beingrestoredtojoy/30min