A person’s heart plans his way,
Proverbs 16:9
but YHWH determines/directs his steps.
Have you been dealt a major curve ball in life? When things took a huge turn from the direction you were going? Me too!
Because this summer—this month—this week are significant “stones of remembrance” in those turns, I’m sharing a bit of my story today. Hoping it will help you see that God is still directing your path in your story too.
As we walk the straight and narrow, there are still twists and turns in the path that we weren’t expecting, but that doesn’t mean that God has abandoned us, nor that they took Him by surprise.
With God’s light on my path, my steps are ordered by Him.
Reflection on Psalm 119:105 and Proverbs 3:5-6
Earlier today I was reflecting on God’s direction of my life, in these past several years.
7 years ago this week, there was a shift in my mind and beginning in my heart, from just wanting to heal from the betrayal trauma and abuse and to just be done with all of this and put it all behind me, to enrolling in the first cohort of a DV survivor advocate certification course, directed by Megan Owen, to help other Christian women as they navigate the same.
I wasn’t exactly 100% super excited about it. My heart hadn’t fully embraced the direction—yet. “God, I don’t want a ministry to abused women.” I knew this course was what I was supposed to do, but hadn’t developed a passion for the work—yet. Lesson 1: Making what you know is the right decision isn’t always making the decision you currently “want.”
I was still in the midst of unending litigation abuse, and really did just want it to be all over and behind me. I also was still unclear as to what my new ministry area was to be, the ministry that God had renamed 3 years earlier. But I knew He was directing there—wherever there was. Ironically, I was already doing it, without naming it as such; so much advocacy and mentoring work was just flowing from my heart, but I wasn’t acknowledging it as such.
So much coaching and support, and so many courses, have gotten me through to the other side. I can’t help but share. One of my key ministry verses has always been 2 Corinthians 1:4. There was no way I wasn’t going to follow God’s clear direction. One who has received much, gives much. Lesson 2: God prepares us for what He calls us to. He is with us every step of the way.
He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:4
During that year long certification course, passion for this work grew. I also met many others involved in this type of ministry, and I went on to take more of their (and other) courses and trainings, with more certifications. Always desiring to learn, how to best help others, to come alongside them on this difficult journey of crawling out of these places of destruction, and help them find hope, peace, truth, and joy in a new, unplanned for future. Lesson 3: He doesn’t drag us along, but gives our heart new passions, and eagerness to continue the path set before us.
10 years ago, if you had told me that my future included being a Life Restoration Coach for Christian women, post abuse, trauma and life-saving divorce, I would have doubted those words. Like Sarah, I may have laughed. 10 years ago this week, I was just coming to terms with the fact that I would be a Christian, divorced woman! I couldn’t see what my own future would be, let alone how I would help others navigate that path to their own healing, freedom and restoration.
But God…
He knew. In the midst of the trauma. In the midst of the abuse. When I was overwhelmed. When I was confused. When I was completely broken, being destroyed. When I was healing. He knew.
When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then You knew my path.
Psalm 142:3
Lesson 4: God knows the end from the beginning. We can trust Him as He leads us on our path. Because—
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
God knows your path too. He knows the twists and turns, that are not of your own choice. He guides you in directions that you know are necessary, even if not what you want to choose. He is with you, every step, giving you direction and support. Turning your overwhelm and “kicking against the goads” into Peace, Hope and maybe even Passion in those new directions. Because He knows the entire path of your life. He sees it and He cares. And He is working it all for your good.
What turns and changes in your path are you navigating? How can I pray for you, and come alongside you on your journey?
Freely Whole is not only for abused, divorced women, who love and follow Jesus. It is for any who desire to grow closer to Him. Who desire to walk in greater Freedom and Wholeness—spirit, soul, and body.
Whether you’ve lived through DV and betrayal trauma or not, we’ve all had trials, tribulations and troubles in this life. We all experience stress and struggles. We all need to continue to get closer to Jesus and trust Him more each day. He wants us all to be Freely Whole!
Freely Whole is for you! 💖 I’d love to come alongside you as we walk this journey of Life. You are not alone.
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Living Coram Deo & freely whole
SDG!
~ Liberty—Life Restoration & Soul Transforming Creativity Coach
Empowering you to live a life that is Freely Whole—spirit, soul, and body—in Jesus!
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