Women Today
Faith-Based Courage: The Challenge
I started off last year learning about God's long-suffering love for me. When I have looked at life's circumstances and been tempted to think him angry, disappointed or withholding, I have instead found him patiently waiting for my realization that he is working miracles in my heart and mind. For me, the greatest spiritual battles are played out on the field of my mind and heart.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." -- Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
Healing from Past Abuse
If you are reading this chapter because you know that you were abused in the past, then you are a fortunate person. Fortunate, because you know you were harmed and know you need healing. Many are reading this for someone else and may miss the personal message and the healing God is offering them. Everyone, open your ears. God's supreme desire is for your life's foundation to be an intimate, safe and loving home atmosphere much like he created for Adam and Eve. Childhood should be free of "the knowledge of evil" and full of the "knowledge of good." But, for many of us, that simply was not the case.
Our parents and others in our lives were sinners: in fact, all of us are sinners, too (Romans 3:23). God acknowledges that people will sin—but he does not like it. It does not minimize the harm done, especially when it has an affect on children.
