Jack Watts’ weekly column is aimed at helping those who have been wounded, including those who have been abused by the church. If you are in pain—or if someone you know is in pain—you will find real comfort, wisdom, and answers right here. Based on his book, Recovering from Religious Abuse, published by Simon & Schuster, Jack will teach you the value of working the “11 Steps to Spiritual Freedom.” Remember, recovery is a process—not a destination. The answers are simple but not always easy. Look to the Lord and allow His Spirit heal you.
If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not have times taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome—Anne Bradstreet
Do you ever feel like you’re being stretched beyond your limits? Just when you think you can’t handle one more thing; inevitably, two or three more problems are piled upon you. When you’re certain you’re not capable of anything else, you’re amazed that your capacity is greater than you ever thought it would be.
Believe it or not, the stress of the strain has incredible value for your recovery, although few can understand it at the time. Oswald Chambers puts it this way. Your life is in the “hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something” you cannot see. “He stretches and strains,” and you say, “’I cannot stand any more.’”
According to Chambers, “God does not heed. He goes on stretching till His purpose is in sight. Then He lets fly. Trust yourself in God’s hands.”
I can think of several times in my life when I thought I had been stretched far beyond my capacity, but I was mistaken. My capacity was greater than I ever imagined. I whined, moaned, and begged God to make my life easier, but the strain continued until His purpose was complete—not mine. After the crisis abated, I knew I was stronger, but not during it. When I was in the middle, it was all I could do to survive—one day at a time.
Does this sound familiar? Has this been your experience as well? Is it what your life is like right now?
If so, take courage. The crisis will inevitably resolve, and you will become stronger from the experience. It’s how God works and how your recovery works as well. If you want your life renewed, join me in this prayer:
Father,
My spirit has been rejuvenated.
Even my steps feel lighter,
As the burden of my past has been
Lifted from my shoulders.
Now free to walk into the future,
Unencumbered by guilt, shame,
And my self-defeating behavior,
I want life to have more meaning
Than the mediocrity that had become my lot.
The pursuit of valueless materialism
No longer has the appeal it once had.
My spirit has been reawakened,
And I want to spend my days,
Doing what You would have me do—
What You have prepared for me to do.
I’ve learned that I can understand
Your leading by looking back,
Far better than by looking forward.
Whatever You have in store,
Regardless of what that might be,
That is how I want to spend my days.
Having wandered so far from You,
I know what I am capable of doing—
Of who I am capable of being,
Which is not what I want for my future.
Guard my heart so that I do not
Wander away from You again,
Pursuing fruitless, meaningless endeavors.
Let my heart rejoice in Your ways
And give me peace and a purposeful future.
Amen.
Refer to Step 4: I believe that God understands my wounded-ness and He alone can heal me. I chose to accept as true what God says about Himself. He is good and can be trusted. I recognize that God is not the abuser; people who misuse their authority are the abusers.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
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