I can vividly remember the words of my third grade teacher, although it has been over thirty years since I was a student in her class. It appeared as though her favorite word to describe her students was, "dense". If she gave praise or words of encouragement, it was so rare that I can barely remember them. What I do remember is her labeling me, as well as my fellow classmates, in front of the class as dense. At the time, I did not know what that word meant, however based on her tone--I knew it was not positive. Even as an eight-year-old student, I knew that her classroom did not feel warm and inviting. It did not feel like an incubator for learning, discovery, and dream building. It was also evident how she felt about her students. I did not feel special, important or wanted--all vitally important needs for a child. Should she have been a teacher? Probably not. But, I digress. I share this story because her harsh, critical words hurt me and shaped how I saw myself as a student in her class.
Can you identify with my story? Perhaps it was not a teacher, maybe a parent, a coach, a sibling who spoke negative words over you that largely impacted the way you saw/see yourself. The old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is beyond untrue! Words do wound hurt, but we can heal and recover from them by the power of God.
Healing and deliverance is available to every believer, but we must take our wounded souls to the Father. As adults, working through emotional hurt and pain that we experienced in childhood is never easy. It requires giving God access to those broken places of hearts that we have kept hidden and deeply buried; feelings of shame, rejection, and abandonment as well secrets and hidden guilt.
Recovery takes courage. It takes courage to take our deepest, darkest secrets and pain to God. It takes courage to say, "God, my father abandonment our family. I feel rejection." Or, "God, I struggle with intimacy because I was molested as a child." Or, "God, I am have a lot of rage. I do not know why am I so angry. Something happened in my childhood..." This is hard work because it requires honest introspection. It requires unearthing was has been deeply rooted and hidden.
God does not do the hard work for us, but He does equip us for success and promises never leave us as we undergo healing and deliverance. It takes courage to recover, yet it is attainable. It is possible to be emotionally healed, whole, and healthy. It is the Father's desire for every believer.
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."--3 John 1:2(NKJV)
Can you identify with my story? Perhaps it was not a teacher, maybe a parent, a coach, a sibling who spoke negative words over you that largely impacted the way you saw/see yourself. The old adage, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is beyond untrue! Words do wound hurt, but we can heal and recover from them by the power of God.
Healing and deliverance is available to every believer, but we must take our wounded souls to the Father. As adults, working through emotional hurt and pain that we experienced in childhood is never easy. It requires giving God access to those broken places of hearts that we have kept hidden and deeply buried; feelings of shame, rejection, and abandonment as well secrets and hidden guilt.
Recovery takes courage. It takes courage to take our deepest, darkest secrets and pain to God. It takes courage to say, "God, my father abandonment our family. I feel rejection." Or, "God, I struggle with intimacy because I was molested as a child." Or, "God, I am have a lot of rage. I do not know why am I so angry. Something happened in my childhood..." This is hard work because it requires honest introspection. It requires unearthing was has been deeply rooted and hidden.
God does not do the hard work for us, but He does equip us for success and promises never leave us as we undergo healing and deliverance. It takes courage to recover, yet it is attainable. It is possible to be emotionally healed, whole, and healthy. It is the Father's desire for every believer.
"Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."--3 John 1:2(NKJV)
