Glory in Our SufferingsSample

Trusting God in Our Healing: I am grateful that God loves us too much to leave us as he found us. I found myself strong in trusting God in all areas of my life until he revealed one part into which I hadn't dived -- healing from my past trauma. For the past few years, I found myself comfortable with my over-excess of weight. I liked being invisible, not seen, and being in the background. It was my place of safety and comfort. Until one day, God convicted me and gently told me that I was still living in the bondage of fear. I made a home in the grave that he already called me out of. While in therapy, I learned that because of 12 years of abuse, I subconsciously gained weight to protect myself from unwanted attention, especially from men. God whispered and said: “You are still living in bondage of fear, I command you to come out of that grave and embrace the full life of freedom that I want to give you.” Over time, I had help creating a health plan and going to the gym. God had to teach me how to feel safe in my body and look at myself through his lens. I found myself questioning why God let these things happen to me. He took me to the book of Genesis, the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by the people who were supposed to love and protect him, his own family. This story speaks so personally to me as I was sold into sex trafficking by my biological mother. I read all the trials Joseph endured, and at every hardship, God was there with Joseph at his side. Joseph found favor with every ruler, prison guard, and pharaoh! Years and years passed before he saw God's promise, and when he finally did, he honored God. Genesis 41: 52 states, “The second son he named Ephriam and said, 'It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.'" This made me hopeful that God will make us fruitful in our suffering. God is not afraid of our questions or any emotions. He will always meet you right where you are with grace, ready to receive you and lead you. He is our personal and wonderful mighty counselor who knows exactly what you need to walk out of that healing in your life. Let go and trust God!