Good afternoon children of God! I pray that your day has been blessed as you’ve risen with breath in your body. I have been commissioned to bring a word that is aimed to minister to your pain, hurt, and disappointment. This devotional is for the brothers and sisters who have been mishandled by individuals whose titles have “certified” them, however their integrity and/or personal issues failed them. What are you saying La’Tivia Elizabeth? The Holy Spirit wants to minister to those who are hurting in this very hour, bleeding, walking with a false smile attempting to conceal the hidden bruises (feelings/emotions), crushed ribs (hope), tortured hearts (SOUL), and intensified migraines (thoughts). God has seen your hurt. He has been a witness to it all. Nothing is missed or overlooked by the Lord and He cares. He desires for you to be healed in this very hour. What do you do when you’ve been SCARRED BY A “HOLY PEOPLE”? Let’s continue…
I would be erroneous to assume that everyone who reads my devotionals are avid church goers…so please know that whether you’re saved or unsaved this particular word is for you as well. Not everyone has experienced ‘church hurt’; rather, some of us:
- Have been scarred from the womb- feeling the rejection of his/her parents.
- Have barely survived sibling rivalry- being the black sheep of the family.
- Have hardly erased the residue of child molestation.
- Have barely escaped abusive relationships.
So, I am fully aware that “Holy People” is not solely for the church-bound Saints. Let’s look at the word “holy” in of itself. Holy means to be dedicated or consecrated to God or a religious purpose; sacred; divine. Relationships such as marriage covenants are sacred to God. A parent/child relationship and the family structure as a whole definitely has a God-purpose. Therefore, “Holy people” represent those who have a divine relationship with you, however in some way, shape or form you have been mishandled by them. God wants to speak to those dark crevices- the hidden places that you’ve attempted to cover up. A band-aid will not suffice for a bullet wound; band-aids are sufficient for scratches and cuts. This thing has been lying in you for far too long- it’s IN you. Remember, cuts are surface, however, gunshots are intravenous. Others are able to see it now. They are able to smell the “stench” coming from that open wound. The time for HEALING is now; don’t allow yourself to get gangrene.
Let’s start here….no one is asked to be born. When two consenting individuals lie down and procreate the future child has no say in the deal. Therefore, it’s imperative for those who hold such titles as Mother, Father, Husband, Wife, Pastor (under Shepherd) and etc. to truly commit to such a sacred relationship and divine calling. We are imperfect people attempting to love perfectly as Jesus Christ loves us. But how do you move on or become healed when you are hurt by those you should reverence? How? The word of God tells us to lay aside every weight and the sin that easily besets us (Hebrews 12:1). Family, did you know that carrying ill emotions are not only burdens to your soul, but also unhealthy weight? It’s quite heavy to carry a bitter heart. It takes much effort to walk in unforgiveness; you become a slave to it. So now, you’re not only carrying the scars of a beaten slave, but also the title and role of one. God says you are a ROYAL Priesthood- we are not slaves! Have you ever noticed how someone who is released from a certain stronghold, past hurt, or even prison seems so “light” on their feet? That’s because what was once holding them down is no longer acting as an anchor. There is power in your forgiveness family. There is power in genuinely praying for the very ones that hurt or abandoned you. The scars begin to heal and close up as we open our hearts for God’s healing balm (the word of God) to enter. The word of God says in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” The bible does not lie. I repeat, the word of God does not lie. If God said it, then it is so. God is CLOSE to you. The King of the universe is CLOSE to you. The Savior that died on the cross and rose on the third day is CLOSE to you. The Great I Am is CLOSE to you. How comforting is that?
So family, are you ready to do the work to get healed? Are you open to the process? Are you willing to lay aside your justification and pride to become the WHOLE person God has ordained you to be? I’m leaving you with questions because we’ll dig deeper in part 2. For now, go in peace. I love you, but God loves you more.
~La’Tivia Elizabeth, GIRLY With No Apologies