News from Women Encouraged

While working at my computer and reflecting on God's faithfulness in my life, this is the message that flashed across the screen. Then it came to me that there exists another, yet very similar, form of identity theft in the spiritual realm of life. There is a connection between my past experiences, my responses and where I am today. If you've known anyone who has been a victim of identity theft, then you know how time consuming, frustrating and even embarrassing the process of resolving the matter can be. One can feel overwhelmed, angry and violated because their personal information has been exposed. Somehow this sounds so familiar.
In the beginning, there existed perfect unity and harmony between God and His creation. The identity of Adam and Eve had been established as man and woman made in the image of God. Their position had been established as having dominion in the earth. Then, something very wrong happened in the Garden of Eden leaving Adam & Eve feeling ashamed. That shame sent them into a hiding place from God because they were now exposed. God said to them, "Who told you that you were naked?" Their innocence and covering became guilt and uncovering. And their final answer, "It was the serpent." And so the story continued with the curse which resulted from "the fall" of mankind. But,the story didn't end there. It was a lineage later that God sent a Redeemer to recover that which had been uncovered & stolen in the beginning. God sent Jesus to take back the identity and position of those that belonged to the Father.
Over a number of years, I have met people from various backgrounds; but my heart is always burdened when I meet women who've experienced tremendous physical & sexual abuse. They were uncovered and exposed at a very early age - far too soon in their lives. Something went terribly wrong leaving them ashamed & wounded. And now, they are in the "hiding places" of their lives. Many women are hiding behind alcohol, drugs, premarital sex, adulterous sex, and other false covers. For some, it's a silent struggle because no one knows the secret places of their lives. People see them today and assume all is well. It's as if they were stripped of their identity before they had the opportunity to establish it. Whispering out from the corners of their hurt is the cunning voice of that same serpent causing them to question God (If God loved me, then how could He have allowed___?) So now you've decided to create your own path to fulfillment (That's okay because God has a way of allowing those paths to lead us right back to Him!) It's a continuous cycle of doing the same old things, in the same old places with the same old people. Now you're left uncovered and vulnerable to additional attacks.
Have you ever thought that perhaps some of what you've experienced was a "setup" from the beginning? Have you ever considered that the purpose of your painful experience or trial was to tamper with your identity? Is it possible that the enemy expected to change the course of your life so that you would not fulfill the great destiny that God has for you? Some of my personal experiences left me so broken that I couldn't imagine being where I am today. But somehow in the midst of all of the pain, with all the remaining strength that I had, I held on to that knot at the end of the rope. The trial was difficult but the grace, love and mercy of God carried me through. What was meant to spiritually cripple me really gave me the courage to stand again. No, we can't always understand every trial but we must know that God is faithful in every trial. His awesome power can make it all work together for good. Satan wants you to believe that your identity is determined by your past mistakes and your past abuses. So he will attempt to steal and distort those things that matter most. You must rise up and allow the Holy Spirit to propel you to survive, to conquer and to live! Wherever you are today at this very moment, ask yourself, "Who does God say that I am?" That is what you must believe and the position that you must take. Your identity is wrapped up in "the image of God", in the "mind of Christ" & in the "fruit of the Spirit" The very thing that you've struggled with may just very well be the thing that God wants to deliver and heal others from as well. If you or someone that you know has had their identity stolen, it can be recovered. That same but that was interjected after the fall of mankind and before the story's end is still in effect today. Jesus is the One that makes it possible for all to be reconciled back to our intended position. If you've come through it and you're alive and well, thank God today. If you're still struggling with "stuff"- past or present, its time to release it to the One who holds the answer. It may take time, counsel and it may not be easy, but there is one thing that is for certain-- The Lord is your protector and your covering. He truly wants His very best for you. Just allow Him to recover all that has been taken from you. Is it your joy, your dreams, your confidence, your self-esteem, your identity or your position? Your trial hasn't destroyed you; it has prepared you and now you can go forth with strength and courage. And when it is all said and done, God will receive the glory and honor for being who He says He is and for doing what He says He will do. In Webster's Dictionary, the word redeem means to get back, to help to overcome something detrimental, to change for the better, restore, to convert into something of value, to make good. Do you get the picture now? HE is a healer of those afflicted, a comforter for those in distress and a deliverer for those in bondage. Oh yes, Jesus is all that and more! Now that's a guarantee!