Lord I want to be whole

I still recall vividly the first time I read Stormie Omartian’s ‘Lord I want to be whole’, this was at the beginning of my journey into looking at and reading about emotional well-being.  I was amazed to find that a christian author was so open and addressed many issues around emotional well being through her own testimony.  I read the book twice and introduced it to many.

This was an awakening for me, it was almost like walking in fog and suddenly it disappears and I could clearly see.  I had questions, many questions.  I needed answers such as; why wasn’t these issues addressed in the church at large.  There was this resounding silence around the area of emotional health.  There seemed to be an almost unspoken agreement that no one will talk about it.  The lie that emotional health is not affecting scores of people gets perpetrated over and over again.   However after reading ‘Lord I want to be whole’ I was unable to be silenced, I talked about it every chance I got.  Unfortunately my subject seemed to not resonate with anyone and I find a kind of cold reception to my enthusiasm.  That was until at a friends wedding I met someone who identified with my  passion and who shared my concerns.  We have not met since but I have kept going, talking about emotional health and the importance of recognising and addressing issues that impacts us.   There is an ever increasing body of evidence that suggest that many physical illnesses are as a result of repress emotional trauma.  It is believed that emotional pain buried from the pass can result in many auto immune illnesses.

I believe it is time for people to be given the help they need to find a language in which to express their pain.  Too many have had there voices taken through carrying secrets that are not there’s.  Experiencing shame and embarrassment from what was done to them as opposed to what they did.  I believe If many of these individuals are given the permission to grieve the loss they suffered whether through bereavement, loss of childhood innocence, loss an ideal, loss the job/profession they can no longer have, they would be free, free to mourn move on and help someone else.  If they are given the space to talk and grieve as opposed to be expected to suck it in and carry on then they would be liberated to live a life of wholeness.

I believe if many were given the permission to just say ‘lord I want to be whole’ out Loud without fear of recriminations, questions or ramifications, this would free them to be authentically who they were meant to be.

Take your stand whatever the status quo is where you are, break the mold and seek the help that you need.  Silence the voices of dissension and fear.  I am aware that this voice can be both internal and external and many times we have more to fear from within that without.  It is important to note that many times the voice within has been influenced by those around us, these two merge and it is hard to tell the difference between them.  At these times separating from the fear can seem like having another mountain to climb, however, it is a battle well worth fighting.  It will be worth the effort to seek help and support in dealing with the issues that have caused you pain.  The journey to wholeness can be rocky and steep however, it is one well worth taking.