God Definitely Has a Purpose for Your Life—a Purpose for Good and Not Evil

 

Father,

Having been used, abused, and discarded,

By those who insisted they spoke in Your name,

But most certainly did not,

My self-worth has suffered significantly.

Having internalized the shaming charge,

Which my abusers have levied against me,

I have acted in ways contrary to my beliefs,

Which You have set forth in Your Word,

And have established deep within my heart.

Having tried to run from You for so long,

I now see how flawed my judgment has been.

Returning to You has required me to renew

My mind and to look at life differently.

Thank You, Lord, for enlightening me,

And for revealing that You have good things

Planned for my life and not calamity.

At times, I still have trouble believing

That You really love me—just as I am.

The stinging indictment of my abusers

Has found fertile ground in my soul,

And it continues to resonate, telling me that

I am a person without worth—without value.

But, when this happens, all I need to do

Is come before You and listen to You tell me:

“You are my child—worthwhile, loved, and valued.

I most assuredly have a purpose for your life.”

—Jack Watts

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Review & Reflection 2:20

Father,

You’ll have to prepare the heart of my friend—

The one I have chosen to be my confidant.

When I reveal myself to that person,

I pray that Your love and acceptance will be

What I experience and not the condemnation

Of someone who is judgmental and self-righteous—

Someone who will not understand or accept me—

Just as I am, exactly like You do, Father.

Question: It’s important to have others be part of your recovery, but only trustworthy people. On a scale of 1-to-10, how trustworthy are your confidants?

 

Nobody plans on being abused, especially by fellow Christians, but it happens all the time. When it does, it’s debilitating and can render a person fruitless for a long, long time. It usually means your original vision about your purpose in life changes, and many have difficulty accepting this. That’s why it’s important to remember that it is God’s purpose we are here to fulfill—not our own.

Question: Has your vision changed since your abuse? If so, in what ways has it?

God promises not to put more on us than we are able to endure which, at the time, never seems to be true. It always feels like the weight of our hardship will break us, but God knows us better than we know ourselves. He stretches us beyond our comfort zone, which is His intention. At the end of it, however, we develop deep character qualities, which we would not have achieved through lesser means.

Journal: Write about how far you have been stretched by God. Think of at least one example and write about it, being sure to spend time on the long-term results.

 

Your future behavior is in your hands. If you are smug and self-satisfied, you will have a great impact—all-negative. If you display love and graciousness, you’ll also have a greater impact—all positive.

Question: Being completely honest, what has your impact been? If it’s less than you desire, tell God about it, asking Him to make you into the person He wants you to be.

At some level, accepting what their abuser have said about them as true, the abused person acts out the role ascribed to them, in nearly the way that Pavlov’s dog salivated. The abused person believes they are worthless, behaving predictably. If this has been your experience, admit it to yourself, to God, and to another human being. You’re not responsible for your abuse, but you are responsible for your reaction to it.

Journal: Taking time to be introspective, write about the acting-out behavior you participated in shortly after your abuse.

—Jack Watts   Restoration Resources

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Don’t Allow Your Abuser to Define Who You Are. That Is Self-Defeating.

Rethinking Your Expectations

 

Refer to Step 10: I choose to believe God still has a purpose for my life—a purpose for good and not evil.

 

We must not measure our spiritual capacity by education or by intellect; our capacity in spiritual things is measured by the promises of God.

—Oswald Chambers

One of the worst consequences of being religiously abused is the belief that you will never do anything of consequence again. Being shamed, ridiculed, belittled, and discarded, most abused people recoil from the attack. Like a wounded animal, they look for a place to hide and lick their wounds.

Pulling away from others, even if it’s just emotionally, negates a person’s ability to become the person God intended him or her to be. At some level, accepting what their abuser have said about them as true, these abused people act out the role ascribed to them—just like the way Pavlov’s dog salivated. The abused person believes they are worthless, behaving predictably.

If this has been your experience, admit it to yourself, to God, and to another human being. You’re not responsible for your abuse, but you are responsible for your reaction to it. Believing what your abuser said about you, rather than the promises of God, will effectively neutralize you for as long as you accept an abusers judgment to be true. It diminishes everything about you, and you will lead a half-life or less, never reaching your full potential.

If this is what your life is like, you don’t have to submit to the stinging indictment of your abuser any longer. What this person said was not a biblical promise. It was a human curse, and you should not allow it to destroy your future like it has your past.

Put it away once and for all. Choose instead to return to what God has said about you, when you chose to invite Him into your heart. He loves you—no matter what, and He has a plan for your life that includes love, joy, and peace. Regardless of how difficult it is, reject the abusive message you’ve internalized. Make a conscious, consistent effort to do so. If you do, the reality of God’s love and acceptance will become overwhelming.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)

—Jack Watts   Resources

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Is Anyone Less Attractive Than Someone Who Is Self-Righteous?

Being There for Another

Refer to Step 8: I will share my experience and my own wrongdoing with a trusted friend, confessing the exact state of my heart.

We are attracted to people who share in our growth and progress and lose interest in those who don’t.

—Recovery Slogan

Becoming a Christian is easy. All that is required is the willingness to accept what has been freely provided. The Lord has done everything necessary, which is what grace is all about. The only thing you or can do is make His efforts more desirable to others or less.

Because so many Christians are smug and self-righteous, legalistic and condemning, haughty and judgmental—not nearly as many non-believers are attracted to a life of faith as there should be. Sadly, all of us know the people I’m describing: the ones Christ displayed anger toward—the heartlessly religiously self-righteous crowd.

The lives of people like these reveal a version of Christ that is not found in the New Testament—not even close. Yet, these are the people most feared in Christianity—just like the Pharisees were the most feared in Christ’s day. The bitter sting from the tongue of Christian legalists keeps many from embracing God’s mercy, love, and acceptance. The only legitimate fruit they display is self-control—except for their biting, acerbic tongue.

Not being like them is part of what your recovery is all about. If you display love, joy, long suffering, and a genuine concern for those in need; then you are being faithful to God’s will. That’s very attractive to wounded, hurting people—people desperate for answers. By being there for someone who needs you to aid their recovery—just like someone was there for you—you will bless not only them but also yourself.

Your future behavior is in your hands. If you are smug and self-satisfied, you will have a great impact—all negative. If you display love and graciousness, you’ll also have a greater impact, which will be all positive.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cleave to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not. (Romans 12:9-14)

—Jack Watts   Recovery Resources

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When God Stretches Us Beyond Our Comfort, We Don’t Like It, but It Is What Develops Our Character

Character Development

Refer to Step 4: I believe that God understands my wounded-ness and He alone can heal me.

 

Adversity is the mint in which God stamps upon man his image and superscription.

—Henry Ward Beecher

When you see how carefree some people’s lives seem to be, do you ever wonder if God is holding you to a higher standard than He does others? Many people seem to have such a comfortable, easy life, while those of us in recovery—by way of contrast—seem to have a much more difficult time than they do.

If that’s true—and I believe it is—then what is the reason for it? What is the purpose? In my own life, I distinctly remember when I was thirty-three and prayed, “Father, thank You for sparing me from trouble. Everything has always gone so smoothly for me. Nothing bad or difficult has ever happened. My life has been free from pain and suffering. Thank You for that. I’m so grateful—so grateful.”

From my simplistic perspective, I believed what I prayed was true. God was taking care of me by sparing me from all the heartache suffered by others. Within a month from the time I uttered that prayer, things changed, and the subsequent thirty years have been filled with difficulties. Have I struggled and chafed under the strain of my circumstances? You bet—big time!

But I’ve also grown, and the growth was the purpose behind all the difficulties. God promises not to put more on us than we are able to endure which, at the time, never seems to be true. It always feels like the weight of our hardship will break us, but God knows us better than we know ourselves. He stretches us beyond our comfort zone, which is His intention. At the end of it, however, we develop deep character qualities, which we could not have obtained through any other means.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials; knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (James 1:2-4)

—Jack Watts   Resources

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You Must Learn to Accept Life as It Is—Not How You Wish It Would Be

 

Refer to Step 3: I accept that the responsibility for getting back on track is mine and no one else’s.

 

All our mortal lives are set in danger and perplexity: one day to prosper, and the next—who knows? When all is well, then look for rocks ahead.

—Sophocles

When someone invites Christ to come into his or her life, that person develops a vision about what God wants them to be. Usually, this vision is grandiose, having as many worldly aspirations to it as altruistic ones, maybe more.

It’s at this point that God begins His work, whittling away the worldliness, leaving the fruit of the Spirit in its place. Usually, the process requires years—sometimes decades. From God’s perspective, that’s perfectly acceptable because He is never in a hurry. From our human perspective, however, the process seems inordinately long and grueling.

That’s because we recognize our days are numbered, and we want to enjoy them, be happy, and experience continuous fulfillment. Unfortunately, life rarely works as we believe it should. It often throwing us unwanted curves, such as being abused.

Nobody plans on being abused, especially by fellow Christians, but it happens all the time. When it does, it’s debilitating and can render a person fruitless for a long, long time. It usually means a person’s original vision about his or her purpose in life has to change, and many have difficulty accepting that.

That’s why it’s important to remember that it’s God’s purpose we are here to fulfill—not our own. By simply accepting where we are, rather than chafing about not being where we want to be, we can put ourselves in line for God to use us as He sees fit. No other strategy is effective anyway.

Therefore, it’s a critical step for an abused person to accept the reality of their situation and move forward. To wish that life had been different—and that you had not been abused in the first place—doesn’t work. To get back on track and become fruitful, you must change your mindset and accept life as it is—not how you wish it should be.

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (I Peter 1:6-7)

—Jack Watts   Recommended Resources

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To Recover, You Must Come Clean about Your Past.

Confess the Exact State of Your Heart

Father,

Now that I have spelled out

The exact nature of my self-defeating behavior,

And have written it down on paper,

I feel completely naked, exposed, and vulnerable.

Reviewing it provides me with great relief,

But I also feel insecure and sorrowful.

Now that I have brought to light

My deepest, most intimate secrets,

My fear of rejection seems overwhelming,

And I’m terrified of the condemnation of others.

Perhaps friends and foe alike will mock me—

Just like my religious abusers have.

I know that’s not a realistic fear,

But it still creates a sense of apprehension

And foreboding deep within my soul.

I know You have forgiven my self-defeating behavior,

But people are rarely as generous as You are.

You’ll have to prepare the heart of my friend—

The one I have chosen to be my confidant.

When I finally reveal myself to that person,

I pray that Your love and acceptance will be

What I experience and not the condemnation

Of someone who is judgmental and self-righteous—

Someone who will not understand or accept me—

Just as I am, exactly like You do, Father.

I have worked so hard and come so far.

Help me to continue being vulnerable and forthright,

Which I know is Your desire for me.

Stand with me, Lord, so that I can boldly state

The exact nature of my heart with humility—

Without being fearful, timid, or purposefully evasive.

Heal the broken places in my life and relieve

The burden of guilt I have been carrying for so long.

—Jack Watts   Resources

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Review & Reflection 2.19

Father,

I’m still stuck in my destructive mindset,

Which has not changed appreciably.

It’s infuriating and unfair that I’m the one

Who has experienced so much pain.

They should be the ones to pay, but they haven’t.

I’m the one that continues to suffer.

I know that by my stubborn refusal to change,

I’m not hurting them—far from it.

Instead, I’m only hurting myself and those around me.

Question: Does this describe you? How close does it come? Take a minute and think about “being stuck” emotionally. If that is where you are, admit it.

Well-meaning sympathizers often make statements like these:

• “I know you were hurt by what was said, but the pastor meant well by it.”
• “You misunderstood; that’s all. You’re just too sensitive.”
• “It’s not nearly as big of a deal as you’re making it out to be.”
• “He would never hurt you on purpose. He’s been under a lot of stress lately, and you just need to let it go.”

Question: How many statements like these have you heard? Can you think of any you would like to add to the list?

Abusers behave ruthlessly, while calling it God’s leading, misleading many in the process. Their egocentric worldview allows them to embrace a mind-set, which equates their will with God’s will. From their perspective, the two are one and the same. Because their calling is higher than others, they consider themselves to be more important, and act accordingly. To them, what they think and say carries more weight than others. Leaders like these actually feel contempt for people who don’t agree with every word that flows from their mouths.

Journal: How accurately does this describe your situation? Can you think of a time when your abuser insisted that his or her will was God’s will, and you were sure it wasn’t? Write about it.

When trials come our way, most of us can generate the courage to fight our way through them. That is, when we know what the outcome is going to be. When we don’t, it’s a different matter entirely. Our courage evaporates; God’s power doesn’t seem to be almighty; and we spend our days terrified of what the future will bring.

Question: Is it difficult for you to think of God as Almighty? When you don’t see a way out of a dilemma, do you give up on God’s leadership and panic instead?

Praying only for the knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out, those of us in recovery march into the future, one day at a time, doing the next right thing. That’s all we have the power to do anyway. To think that we—or anybody else—have control of the future is an illusion. What we do have is the power to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason—nothing else.

Journal: What is the next right thing for you to do? Write about it, and then make a commitment to follow through with it.

—Jack Watts   Resources

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Abused People Can Experience Full Recovery—Guaranteed

The Power to Carry Out His Will

 

Refer to Step 11: I make a commitment to nurture my relationship with the Lord, asking Him to reveal His will to me and to provide me with the power to carry it out.

 

 

Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.

—George Washington

Praying only for the knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out, those of us in recovery march into the future, one day at a time, doing the next right thing. That’s all we have the power to do.

To believe that we—or anybody else—has control of the future is an illusion. What we do have is the power to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason—nothing else.

That power comes from within, because we are God’s children and He has bestowed that power upon us. Being shamed and ridiculed by our abusers, nearly all of us have operated in fear and defeat for a long time. It’s a byproduct of abuse, universally experienced by victimized people, but it need not be your experience any longer.

You can put it away your past wounding and never allow it to diminish your self worth again. You can cast aside the condemnation you’ve experienced and walk forward with a smile on your face, knowing that regardless of what has kept you down, you need not remain downcast any longer. You’re free because God has set you free, and the negative message that has debilitated you for so long, need never do so again. Because you’re free in your mind, no abusive religious leader will have the power to enslave you again. This is not a utopian idea but something that can actually happen.

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Romans 8:15-16)

—Jack Watts   Resources

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No Matter What God’s Word Will Always Come to Pass

 God Never Misspeaks

 

Refer to Step 10: I choose to believe God still has a purpose for my life—a purpose for good and not evil.

 

Loyalty to Jesus means that I have to step out where I do not see anything . . . Faith is not intelligent understanding, faith is deliberate commitment to a Person where I see no way.

—Oswald Chambers

When trials come our way, most of us can generate the courage to fight our way through them. That is, when we know what the outcome is predicted to be. When we don’t, it’s a different matter entirely.

Our courage evaporates; God’s power doesn’t seem to be almighty; and we spend our days terrified of what the future will bring.

If this is true for most people—and it is—it’s particularly true for those in recovery, regardless of what type of recovery it might be. It’s in situations like these where the rubber meets the road. It’s the place where you have to step out and do what God tells you to do, regardless of what that might be.

It’s a scary place—a place where most sane people prefer not to be. It’s not only frightening, but it’s also lonely, nerve-wracking, and discouraging. Fretting about calamity just seems to be the way humans are made.

That’s why being joyful about your trials seems like nonsense—like God either doesn’t know what He is doing or He is like a politician and “misspoke” about having things under control. But God does know what He is doing, and He never misspeaks about anything—never.

When you count it all joy, you abandon your right to moan and murmur, choosing instead to take God at His word, knowing that heaven and earth will pass away but God’s word never will. This is a hard thing to do but, despite your circumstances, that’s exactly what God is telling you to do.

Even if you “have to fake it until you make it,” make a conscious decision to count your trials as joy, knowing that the results of them will make you a better person—a far better person.

For momentary, light affliction is producing for us and eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not see; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (II Corinthians 4:17-18)

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A PRAYER: Our Future Is in Peril

Father,

When I look around and witness

How much our great nation has changed,

A sense of despair and foreboding comes upon me.

I am afraid of what the future holds for those

Who will be tasked with restoring order from the mess

My generation of Americans has created for them.

Even more troubling is what I discern among the youth.

They lack resilience and have no intention to striving for rewards.

Instead, they want everything to come easily, as if they are entitled

To wealth and a life of abundance with little to no effort.

They seem lazy and self-serving, lacking erudition and purpose.

They lack the mettle and the fortitude to face what awaits them.

Choosing to embrace comfort and folly over fortitude and resilience,

A new generation of Americans has emerged—one that is

A shadow of our determined forefathers who were responsible

For creating the land of milk and honey out of a barren wilderness.

Witnessing how badly we have atrophied, I wonder if we have

Ceased to be the land of the free and home of the brave?

Worst of all, our children do not know who You are, Father—not really.

Foolishly, they have chosen to embrace lies, championing deceit as the truth.

They are convinced they can define You, choosing to believe what they desire,

Rather than accepting who You have declared Yourself to be in Your word.

They have no foundation to face uncertainty, or the reversal of fortune

That seems certain to destroy our nation’s righteous liberties.

Without Your active intervention, through the stirring the people’s hearts,

Our future is destined to be short and bleak, ending in servitude.

Father, raise up men and women of honor and integrity by the scores,

As You have done in generations past, to help us reclaim our heritage.

Expose the corruption, fraud, and deceit in those who champion

False gods, false ways, and policies that have led us to perilous times.

You are Almighty—You and You alone. Only You can restore us to be

What You brought us to this land to be—a city on a hill for the world to emulate.

—Jack Watts

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Following a Christian Narcissist Has Great Appeal, but It Always Ends in Destruction

Christian Narcissism—“I Have a Higher Calling than You”

Refer to Step 6: I made a commitment to turn away from my pride and refused to become just like those who abused me.

 

No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be the true.

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

A surprisingly large number of narcissistic men and women lead major Christian ministries. Because their unique “Christianized personality disorder” is not easily recognized, these leaders routinely abuse those they have been called to serve. As part of their disorder, they never recognize or acknowledge the true nature of their wrongs or the consequences of their behavior, which influences nearly every aspect of their ministry. This isn’t simply an omission; it’s not in their nature to do so.

They behave ruthlessly, while calling it God’s leading, misleading many in the process. Their egocentric worldview allows them to embrace a mind-set, which equates their will with God’s will. From their perspective, the two are one and the same. Because their calling is higher than all others, they consider themselves to be more important and act accordingly. To them, what they think and say carries more weight than anybody else. Leaders like these actually feel contempt for people who don’t agree with every word that flows from their mouths.

By the message they preach, they would deny this but, by their actions, they validate it consistently. They rarely admit wrongdoing because they never believe they are wrong, which is integral to their disorder. They not only lack empathy for others; they don’t comprehend what compassion really is. Feigning sympathy, they have to mimic the emotions of others to approximate normal behavior.

What makes people like these so difficult to recognize is they have great empathy for “the lost”—for nameless, faceless people, who are idealized and not tangible. While pursuing the lost, they are quite willing to trample upon anyone who gets in their way. They do this often.

Narcissists love loosely defined groups rather than real people because they are incapable of dealing with normal interpersonal relationships. It’s the idea of helping people they love, not getting involved in the lives of ordinary human beings.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself. (Philippians 2:3)

—Jack Watts   Recovery Resources

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Before You Can Change, You Have to Admit Who You Really Are

Changing, from the Inside Out

Father,

When I come before You,

I obediently pay lip service to

How awesome You really are.

When I repeat these words, I mean it—sort of.

I know it’s true, but I’ll have to admit that

Who You are is not what really interests me.

I’m too consumed by what is happening to me.

I acknowledge Your sovereignty because

I want “things” from You. I want Your blessing

And for You to focus Your thoughts on me.

In my self-centeredness, I want You to honor me—

To make my life easier and to make my will Your own.

My prayers seem to focus on what You can do for me,

And little else, which embarrasses me.

It’s because I’m interested in Your blessing—

Not in getting to know You better.

I wish I was a better person than this,

Having more character than I do, but I’m not.

I know Your desire is for me to be honest,

Not only with You but also with myself.

So, there it is. I’m selfishly immature, and self-consumed.

All I want is for You to make my life be smoother.

Admitting my self-serving ways pains me,

But I must be straightforward and truthful.

Father, only Your Holy Spirit can change my heart and allow

Me to desire altruism rather than self-fulfillment.

Place in my heart the desire to seek Your wisdom,

Rather than just Your benevolent hand.

Help me see life beyond my limited world

To what You are trying to do for others.

Give me a heart to care for someone other than myself.

I know my selfishness; it’s ever before me.

I also know that You are busy in my life,

Changing me from the inside out,

Helping me to become a better version of myself

Than I have ever been before, and I’m grateful.

—Jack Watts   Real Prayers

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Review & Reflection 2.18

Father,

As I continue on my road to recovery,

I want to unburden myself of all of my shame,

My guilt, and everything that enslaves me.

But to do so feels like a daunting task.

There’s so much there. I know it, as do You.

Father, that’s why I need Your guidance.

Only You can help me achieve complete honesty.

Journal: The sense of shame incapacitates nearly every person who has ever boon abused. Write down what your abuse felt like.

There’s a way out of your abusive situation that works—a way filled with hope. God has not given up on you—not for a minute. There’s a future waiting for you—a future filled with noble, worthwhile endeavors. It’s available, but you have to work for it. It will not come easily. Nothing of value ever does. All you have to do is want it and be willing to work for it—not just some of the time, but each and every day.

Journal: What are some of the noble, worthwhile endeavors that you would like to do with your life. Write about what they are and how you can achieve your goal.

Then, for whatever reason, something happens that’s completely out of left field. And more often than not, it isn’t something we desire. When that happens, we can become angry and bitter, blaming God for the unpleasantness of our circumstances. Or, we can renew our minds by bending our knee and acknowledging that God, in His sovereignty, has control over everything. And we do not.

 

Journal: Write about what you do to stay in control.

Taking inventory may be difficult, but it’s preferable to wallowing in self-pity, which never produces anything positive. Taking inventory, which is an honest admission of who you really are, is the key to a new life—a life free from guilt and shame. It can also help you become everything they ever wanted to be in life—and more.

Journal: Think about who you really are and write a brief description of what that is.

It’s time to get back in the game—back to who you know you should be. Nothing is more important—not even close. Will you be that kind of person? Will you abandon your anger, your bitterness, and your resentment?  Will you be who God has always intended for you to be? Will you stop feeding your self-pity and do the work necessary to be more fruitful than you ever dreamed possible? Will you get back in the game? Can God trust you with what you have learned? Can He count on you to be faithful in helping others who have been wounded—just like you have been helped? Can He count on you to point others to Him and not exploit them as you were exploited?

Question: Answer each of these questions, being completely honest with yourself.

—Jack Watts   Restoration Resources

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Once You’ve Worked through the Pain of Your Abuse, Life Will Once Again Be Purposeful and Rewarding

A New Way of Life—Serving Others

Refer to Step 11: I make a commitment to nurture my relationship with the Lord, asking Him to reveal His will to me and to provide me with the power to carry it out.

Only God can turn a mess into a message.

—Unknown

Learning to come to God as Almighty—rather than just as a Friend and Comforter—has empowering qualities that most abused believers have either forgotten or have never learned. When you come to Him, asking what His will is for your life, you are asking Him a direct question.

No longer content to languish is your despair, depression, and self-pity, coming to God as Almighty tells Him you are ready to do whatever He wants you to do—to be whatever He wants you to be. It means you have reached a point in your recovery when you want to be of service to others. It’s a mark in your recovery when you’re healthy enough to help someone rather than simply focusing on yourself.

It means your intentions are to serve others. You’ve come to trust Him again, knowing that your abuse came from misguided men and women and not from God. Knowing that abusive people like these cause much more harm than good, you have also come to realize your experience can have value in helping other wounded people heal.

• Can God trust you with what you have learned?
• Can He count on you to be faithful in helping others who have been wounded—just like you have been helped?
• Can He count on you to point others to Him and not exploit them as you were exploited?

Only you know the answer to this; but if you are faithful with your part, you can’t imagine the reward that awaits you. You’re sense of self-worth, which has taken a hit ever since your abuse, will make you feel more worthwhile than you’ve ever felt before—guaranteed.

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, with a burning coal in his hand which he had taken from the altar with tongs. And he touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is forgiven.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I, send me!”  (Isaiah 6:6-8)

—Jack Watts   Recommended Resources

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