Principle 6: No more excuses.
The healing process is painful, but choosing to make excuses and stay wounded is much more painful. We all get tempted to quit when the going gets tough, so it’s understandable if you have moments along the way that make you wonder if you’ll make it to the finish line.
Joyce can relate:
“I know what it’s like to hurt so much you don’t think you can stand it anymore and you feel hopeless about the future. For most of my childhood, my father abused me, and I never knew growing up what it was like to feel safe, secure and loved. As a result, I became an angry, suspicious, critical, judgmental adult.
"When I left home at 18, I thought I was leaving my problems behind me, but I came to realize there were many problems in my soul because of the abuse I had endured. I desperately needed the healing love of God to restore my life.”
Here’s what she discovered that restored her hope:
Isaiah 61:1-3 says Jesus came to...
...preach good tidings to the poor…to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness... — Isaiah 61:1-3 (AMPC)
“Thank God for His promise to heal the brokenhearted, comfort those who mourn, and set the captives free! Now, I’m not going to tell you it’s easy to go through the healing process; it takes time, diligence in studying the Word, and lots of prayer to walk out the healing that is yours by virtue of the blood of Christ. But as believers in Jesus, we have the authority of His name to overcome sin and access the power of God in our lives so we can experience the promises in His Word.”
As a born-again daughter of God, you are equipped to stay strong throughout the journey!
For example…
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) says in Christ, you are a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. As “a new creation,” the Spirit of God lives in your spirit, and all things are possible with Him!
- Philippians 4:13 (AMP) assures you that you can do all things…through Him who strengthens and empowers you; you are ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses [you] with inner strength and confident peace. You are never alone and your identity is no longer victim but victor!
- And having a relationship with Jesus means you can come to Him every minute of every day and He will give you rest. In Matthew 11:29, He says, Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (ESV).
These are just the tip of the iceberg of scriptures that reveal the awesome promises God makes to His daughters!
Spend some time today meditating on these verses, as well as the passage in Isaiah 61 that Joyce quotes above. Make notes about how they speak to you personally and write out declarations you can use to resist the temptation to make excuses when you’re struggling with the healing process.
