Change the Victory Chant

No child needs to be disciplined by having a gun held to their head. Having to sit in the ditch next to a highway is not a safe place for time out as your mother gets through a hangover. Lit cigarettes should never be used on the bare skin of anyone for punishment. Ever hear of a parent heating a belt buckle to sear their child?  Subjecting a little girl to the hands of men just so that the parent can play with the same man a little while longer is disgusting. How can a mom ignore the fact that their little girl is being violated by men and walk away...even into the same man's bedroom seems so unforgivable. It all seems so unforgivable.

I turned my back with my arms closed and rejected all possibility of regaining respect for parents, men, authority, myself and God. Satan doesn’t care how we react to the sinfulness of any abuse including sexual abuse . . . as long as we don’t turn TO Jesus. I did exactly what Satan wanted. As an adult I continued to find my value in bedrooms. I drank. I accepted abuse in my marriage. I became mutilated by self and by others. Self esteem was low and suicide planning kicked in over time.

The enemy knows when we find our identity, security, and dignity in Christ, we can live in victory.

Victory? What was that? For all I could see, Satan had held me in his hands and was dancing the victory chant over me. I had my part in this. When things were out of my control, it was one thing...but what about the other part, when the choice was mine? I had to make a choice.

I sobbed in my pillow when I just couldn't look at myself in the mirror any longer. My life was ugly and so was the reflection that I wanted to spit on. I was tired of being hurt, mad, sad, disgusted, ashamed, hurt and angry at myself and God.

My everyday life had to change. I crashed to the floor and cried out to God. I purposely had to let God handle all my emotions. I had to stop running from Him in anger but toward Him. The intent of the evil one was to be against me and to create distance between me and God. My intent was to return to Him and let God embrace my hurting soul.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am healing from the past and live with peace and joy in the present. I continuously pray that God will help me find the way to set boundaries in my thinking, letting go of the past, forgiving myself and others and move forward in peace through Him. '

Daily progress is being made. Each day I am filled with His Spirit. Ugly is being replaced by the beauty of forgiveness. I know God is holding my hand and healing that inner child. The adult sees through God's eyes now and Satan turns his head. There is no room for him where Jesus is.

Healing came when I made a deliberate willing choice to put away things of the past and look forward to the now and the future in Him. I accepted in my heart that Jesus knows each pain I went through. He took it to the cross. He is aware of my feelings. He is aware of my growth. Papa God shares with me every good promise of healing and victory in Him.

I no longer have to hold onto the pains of this world but I embrace the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you hurting? Are you absorbed in things of the world. Is the child in you feeling rejected and holding onto bitter hurt? You no longer have to stay in Satan's abuse. Let me encourage you to turn away from what Satan chants and sing victory in Jesus. No need to  keep feeling trapped and  empty when you can be free and filled in Him.
      

 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10, NIV)

Mary Edwards is a writer, speaker and photographer. She is a member of the Encourager's Christian Writer Group and a 2013 graduate of Christian Communicators. Mary owns Photo's By M.E. Where she combines both her writing and her love for photography. You can find submissions of her blog at www.writeblessings.blogspot.com and contact her at: wordsbyLOU@yahoo.com

Comparison, a Death Trap

For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord? (Psalm 89:6, NKJV)

"The greatest failure you'll ever have is comparing yourself to others. We're made in the image of God, not in the image of people." Cheryl Salem's words hit me square in the face. For the longest time, I've struggled with the death trap of comparing myself with another. I've compared myself with other writers, with other singers and with other speakers. I've thought all of them were better than me. What I didn't realize is that each time I do that, I'm failing. I'm failing because I'm pretty much saying God din't do a good enough job. And ladies, He never makes a mistake. I wasn't to be Beth Moore or Cheryl Salem. Those ladies have a style all their own that noone else on earth can have. And, the Lord meant the same for you. Whatever your gifts may be, noone else can do them quite like you. Today, what are you comparing to another person in life? Is it finances? Is it talents? Is it magerial things? Let me encouraging you, stop playing that game. Get out of that trap, because it will eventually take you down a road you really don't want to go.

Father, please help us to get out of comparing ourselves. Give the strength to know that whatever you call us to, it's for us alone. Noone can perform the task as good as the indevidual person called to it. In Jesus name, Amen.  

Never To Old

But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. (Luke 1:7, NKJV)

Elizabeth was a prime example of how, in God's eyes we're never to old to do anything. I learned that she was in her early 80's when she became pregnant. When this happened, it was a miracle because as the verse tells us, she couldn't have children. Obviously, God had a purpose in this. Have you ever been told that because you're a certain age, you can no longer do a task? Ladies, let me remind you today that you're never to old to do what God calls you to.

Father, thank You for giving us the strength that even though some of us may be up in age, it doesn't matter to You. You remind us that our age doesn't matter to You. Thank You for your grace. In Jesus name, Amen.  

A Persevering Faith

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (James 1:2-3, NKJV)

The news was life-changing. The family's life would never be the same again. During a routine eye exam, the couple found out one of their girls had a life-threatening disease. The found out later that their other child has this same disease. The prognosis was fatal for both. The couple have lost one of their children-only 36. The time of waiting has now come for the other. During all this, these parents' faith has remained in tact. They've persevered in spite of the devistating turn of events their life has brought them. Today, let me encourage you that whatever you're going through, persevere. Don't give up. Just as God has continually been with this sweet couple, He is also with you. What do you have in your life that you're tempted to throw in the towel? Ladies, be strong. God is with you and will never leave your side.

Father, I lift up each reader. Give her the courage and strength to keep going in the midst of whatever she's going through. Give her peace in her heart that you're able to give like no other. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Lord, Your Desire, Not Mine

Delight yourself also in the Lord,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4, NKJV)

This past Sunday, I made my second visit to a friend's church. This was the first visit I'd made where I was able to hear the senior pastor preach. I absolutely loved this church! My desire is to start attending permanently. The problem with that is that my friend would be unable to give me a ride there each week. There's another catch here though. This is my desire. This may not be the desire God has for me. Ladies, do you have a great desire that you feel God isn't granting? Remember, it may not be His desire for you.

Father, I pray each reader. Grant her the desire of her heart. Amen.