Healing Well And Living FreeSample

Day Seven

Continuing the Journey

Scripture: Philippians 1:6

One of the most significant moments in my life was when I realized that God fully loves and fully accepts me just as I am. Only then was I able to learn to love others in this way. When I catch myself slipping into old ways of thinking about myself, I remind myself that it’s not about what I can do or what others can do for me. It is about loving God and receiving His love, so I can love others the way He loves me.

When others disappoint us, and they will, we can tell ourselves, “It’s okay. They’re trying to figure out this thing called life, too. We’re all at different places. It’s okay when people don’t understand me. God does and always will.” 

So it all begins and ends with love. Once you begin applying this kind of love to yourself, then you can love others with no strings attached. 

I want to reiterate a very important truth. I know I needed to hear it many times before it finally stuck. When abuse is present, you cannot love your abuser into wellness. While I will always have a love for Ben, I finally accepted that loving him would not change him. As a survivor of abuse, the healthy choice is to love your abuser from a distance and to love yourself enough to let go. Not all survivors will still have a love for their abusers, and that’s perfectly understandable. But for those of us who do, we need to accept this very important truth: no amount of our love will change our partners, regardless of how long or how hard we try. It’s only in accepting God’s love for us, and accepting the limits of our love to change another person, that true healing can take place. 

Loving yourself with the same kind of love God loves you with is a must to healing well. I can’t say it enough. You will never be all God created you to be until you love yourself like He does. It’s a process. I understand this. But, it is a process that can’t be skipped, minimized or detoured around. The only way out is through. 

Through His love. 

In what ways has your abusive situation changed your view of yourself? In what ways has this devotional challenged those lies about who you are? How can you start to apply healthy love toward yourself beginning today?

To learn more about the truth of domestic violence or explore additional resources, please visit www.DrRamona.com .