Hopeful Hearts Ministry

“I’ve always felt it was for me to take to the grave. I’ve never told anyone until you…I just couldn’t. My husband loves this family member too much. I couldn’t disappoint him with the truth.”

“I know exactly what you were talking about. I was raped in high school and I never told anyone because all of these years I felt it would hurt my family’s reputation.”

These are two statements from beautiful women I’ve had the pleasure to meet in this past month … and both of them are in their mid-70’s.

For the past few weeks I have heard a new testimony nearly every single day. (I vow to not call them ‘stories’ anymore because a story implies either it is fabricated or that there is a beginning, middle and end… when I am listening to a survivor I am given the honor to be joined in as a confidant along on their journey.) Whether it was from someone abused or neglected by a family member, raped by a friend, or held in an emotional captivity by their spouse, one thing remains true for every single survivor – they put their worth second.

One truth I continue to battle with on my own journey of healing is receiving my God-given place as His wonderfully made beloved.

Full, embarrassing, and heart-wrenching disclosure here… I struggle on a daily basis with ‘Do I have a right to feel this way?’ and ‘Am I good enough?’. I feel it for others. I will go down in battle for anyone else knowing with all that I am that they are good enough, that they have a right to feel hurt, frustrated, sad, angry, betrayed, or even simply happy. And I know it on both an intellectual and heart level that I am good enough, and I do have a right to feel whatever it is I feel – yet the lie is so deeply embedded the only way to receive the gift of who I am in HIM is by looking to Him and seeing me through His eyes.

So when I feel unsure of how my husband feels about me…or if my friend really wants to spend time with me…or if people really care to listen to what I have to say…I have to make a conscious effort to battle the lie that wants to creep its way back in and turn to the one who created me in His image and likeness.

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness month and it has been on my heart to share this truth because I know so many wonder why women stay in such abusive situations. And the reason why they do is because these same lies are embedded within them (and in DV situations these lies are often beaten into them emotionally and physically on a daily basis). When you can’t seem to grasp that you are better than the circumstance you are in it is difficult to rise above it.

What can we do as a society?

Parents of both boys and girls, be proactive and take the time to revert the lies that are being embedded into your children. Remind them who they are to you, not what they do that makes you proud but simply who they are that brings you such joy and love. PRAY WITH YOUR CHILDREN EVEN WHEN THEY BECOME TEENAGERS. Praying reminds them of where their strength and truth resides.

Friends, when you have a friend who is in a clearly unhealthy relationship, take the time to offer quotes, books, blogs to read, that build your friend up, reminding them of who they are in Christ. Seek programs and movies that give this message of our worth and dignity and if your friend desires to talk – listen and don’t judge. We all have a lie embedded within us that is difficult to battle. Be a support to help your friend override the lie with the truth. Once they begin to realize their truth then they will begin to gather the strength to move forward. When this happens, offer to be with them as they seek the proper counsel and direction to create a plan to get away from the abusive situation, continuously reminding them on a daily basis of their worth in an effort to build up their strength. And PRAY with them. Praying is your mightiest weapon.

We are all in this together and when we acknowledge that no one is greater than the other, battling the same lies of the enemy, yet heirs to the same truth within us, then we can begin working together to encourage and empower rather than blaming and tearing down.

No one should have to suffer an injustice and feel it is their ‘lot’ to hold onto it and take it to the grave because everyone else’s safety and happiness is worth more. No one. Not even me.

Who are you? YOU ARE HIS WONDERFULLY MADE BELOVED. Receive it to the depth of your spirit. Own it and claim it as your truth.

Blessings

Shannon

I saw this video on FaceBook a while ago and I want to applaud this father for reminding his daughter of who she is!