The Body of the Wounded Healer

I've been reading.
I'm thinking that this particular post is one that might linger awhile un-published.
But I'm thinking that IF I have been given this Good Grace, that if I'm "normal" - if I've not experienced anything that hasn't plagued someone else - or everyone secretly - I should pass this Good Grace on.
Because . . . We cannot BUT SPEAK the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:20)

You've got to have a TEST before you have a TESTimony.

That's what I learned this morning.

I've ranted today about "Frilly Pantie Faith" - the cushy, froo-froo, mountain top faith we are afforded in a "free" America where the worst of persecution is someone saying something - throwing some verbal stone - that ruffles our pretty all important emotions/feelings and makes us UNHAPPY.

So your unhappy? Big deal.

There is no fire.

But then I was reading.
This frilly pantie faith causes fires. Unseen. Destroying fires in the soul. Searching fires that leave you with out breath and alone.
And no one smells the smoke. Except the one who's soul hurt. Whose mind reels. Who may need a crutch.

I met with ladies for lunch today to fan the flames of the fire set in my soul to HELP. To reach others with the Good News Of Grace for ALL. To reach out to those hurting. Alone.

But I've experienced the destroying fire. Because Satan whispers lies like striking matches in a gas tank. And that great deceiver wants to pull us down.
And we ask "WHY?"

And we forget the one who made us and knows  . . . everything . . . hasn't forgotten us. Has a perfect plan. (Jer. 29:11) That we who believe can have joy - just keep believing. (James 1:2-8) That life happens and will strengthen our faith and make it Genuine. (1 Peter 1:2-9) Just hang on!

And then reach out. And keep hanging on.

And ignore the lies.

I've never planned my death.
Not in detail.
I've thought about it.
And I'm chicken.

But I understand when the matches keep striking. And your the only one who can smell the smoke.
And it seems better to jump from the 34th floor of the burning building than to be eaten alive by the flames.

And I read What Christians Need to Know About Mental Health.
And she's honest. Real. And she shares her pain. And she reached up and found that Good Grace that can quench consuming flames. And she's reaching out.
And she didn't do it alone. She had a help. And God used perfectly fine medication to clear the smoke so HE could speak to her soul. And she found rest. Joy. Peace.

And Satan keeps knocking. He's sneaky.
And he knows our past. Those few regrets. Skeletons in the closet. Imperfections. - they lite the quickest and never burn.

BUT MY GOD has removed them. As far as the East is from the West.
I fall at His feet and ask forgiveness. AGAIN.
And He says, "My child. I don't know what you are speaking of. I have no memory of that. Its buried. Done. Forgotten. FORGIVEN. Arise my love. My princess. My beloved. Joint heir with my only begotten. I LOVE YOU! Never forget. Go. Love show my love."

He loves me.
Just some crazy lady. Some nobody to most of the world. Someone worthy to the ONE who loves. Just LOVEs. Just because HE loves us. (John 3:16) Unworthy.Yet. . .

And I pray that you,

being rooted and established in love, 

may have power,

together with all the Lord’s holy people,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—

that you may be filled to the measure

of all the fullness of God.

~  Ephesians 3:17b-19 NIV ~

 

Here's my hand. We'll hang on together.