Wounds To Scars

Blog

Restoration
Family of origin issues are present in many lives, however, the dysfunction and issues that you see in your family that is reflected in your own life does not have to continue. You can stop it today.
- Avoidance will not help; therefore pretending that this is not happening will not make it disappear.
- Do not be afraid to confront the cycles that have been present in your family, especially if you see them repeating in your children. You can protect the next generation by looking at triggers, hurts that needs to be addressed and process.
- When I saw a pattern in my family I drew a mental line in the sand declaring that this where it ends. so far and no further.
- Find a professional who can help you make sense of and process cycle’s that you have identified. Get help in changing patterns and putting new healthier ones in place.
RESOURCES

For more information read ‘Set The Captives Free; Emotional Healing Through Holistic Restoration by Victor D Marshall. This book can be purchased via Amazon.

www.lulu.com to purchase ‘A New You’ by Joanna Samantha Daniel
June 29, 2016
Love in Unexpected Places

I am always amazed at people’s reaction as I asked this question, ‘do you know that you are valuable?’ When working on the telephone I can hear the nervous laughter and imagine the embarrass flush. when it is face to face the eyes drop or wonder away and the smile shows disbelief. Nevertheless, no one has ever challenged me. However, fear kills optimism. Sometimes there is not enough hope left to believe.

I can imagine that life has given so much that it is sometimes hard to agree that we have anything of worth left. Despite, the challenges you may have been through, in-spite of the hardships that you have had to endure, if you allow yourself to push past those and to look inside you will be amazed what you see.

Love wakes you up every morning

He Wakens me Morning by Morning, Wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed..Isaiah 50:4

As you awake everyday tune into the voice of God as He whispers words of hope and comfort. It is easy to pick up where you left off with thoughts of disappear, self hate and dejection. I invite you to listen for the still small voice as you awaken and be amaze at the difference in His view about you.

Love gives you the courage to face each day

Have you ever heard those stories that are traumatic, eventful and gripping all at once. Have you ever thought how did they do it, this is how. Isaiah 41:10 ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. This is also available to you, there is only one condition. You have to believe.

Love gives hope of a better tomorrow.

Joshua 1:9-10 ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ That is a daily promise, applicable through the calms and storms of life. Take these words at face value. Do not allow them to be explained away, theorise or intellectualise.

June 27, 2016
The Road Less Travelled

I know a few, and I am sure you may be familiar with one or two as well. They can be the life of the party or the individual who stays in the corner of the room talking to one person all evening. They are public speakers, stay at home moms, professionals and unemployed. However, they have one thing in common; they are all plagued by this simple problem. Failing to take the path to self-acceptance.

This group is familiar with avoidance. They excel in careers, parenting and whatever they chose to do yet they fail to accept their worth. They do no comprehend or recognise their value. In fact, whenever complimented they laugh nervously and change the subject. The value that they cherish is all external, and their self-talk is mostly negative. They thrive on accomplishments but in the silence when all other voices are hushed they face discomfort and fear.

There are two important things to change for self-acceptance to become a reality

Change How you see yourself

Accept you, now, right here, right where you are. Before you lose the weight, change your wardrobe, get the promotion, the new job, husband or new car.

Change internal dialogue

Adjust what you say to yourself, repeat and personalise what the Lord says about you. ‘You are fearfully and wonderfully made’ Psalms 139:14 ‘you are the apple of my eye’ Deuteronomy 32:10

Though the suggestions may involve risk, these are risk worth taking. As you begin to challenge your internal dialogue, you will perhaps meet with resistance as you struggle to win the battle between retreating into the safety of the old versus the newness of the unknown. The fear of the unknown is usually more daunting than what happens when you arrive there. So begin to look in the mirror, hold your gaze and say ‘I love you.’

June 17, 2016
No One Understands

‘No one understands’ that is the cry from the heart of many Christian women. On many occasions, I reflected honestly on this statement and thought through the possible reasons for this declaration.

As I listened, I do not judge rather I endeavour to understand, and grapple with the concept, People who were supposed to be in community, feels the community is failing them at a fundamental level. How do we begin to understand this deep fear of trust that is developing in women in our midst? How do we help them know that Jesus knows and that he can relate to their struggles? I submit that we will not be able to do that successfully until we start reflecting the love, care and concern that we are telling people that He gives. We have to be willing to do care without condemnation and love without restriction.

In listening, I found that two crucial things seemed to be present in the instances where lack of trust appears.

Religious Abuse

Is this even possible, there are times when I say this phrase and receive a suspicious look, what do you mean? I will explain. Let us take for example the woman struggling with the things that life is giving her at the moment. She desperately needs someone to talk to, someone who will listen. However, as opposed to being loved she gets condemnation. Pharses such as ‘you are not reading your Bible enough’ is frequently given. Scriptures quoted in abundance. She becomes sidelined and not given responsibilities. This attitude compounds the situation, she withdraws and tries to hide on the fringes.

Fear of Trusting

Due to the impact of the religious abuse trust is severely damaged and scriptures begin to be just words on a page. Words that is failing to have the influence they once did. Love and community can help. It is easy to withdraw and make the decision to self-protect however; this will prevent you from seeing when help arrives. If the attitude of painting everyone with the same brush is embraced you run the risk of missing out on that retreat, workshop or person that would help you make sense of your current position.

Stepping out in faith will mean choosing to trust despite previous reception. Do take care and keep boundaries firmly in place; they will enable you to spot unsafe people. Neverthelss, do not set them so high that you keep out the people who would help to love you through your current season.

June 14, 2016