I am able!

God’s grace enables our climbing out!

Illustration by Rebecca J. Heaston.

That’s God you hear. God is within you. God’s voice is saying things like you’re valuable; you’re loved; you’re strong enough to face this; heal!

It’s hard to admit abuse occurred. After all, if we’ve been abused, we’ve been trained to doubt our perceptions. We’ve been called liars. We’ve been silenced with threats. We don’t walk out of an abusive environment with the strength to see ourselves as valuable, loved, strong.

New year’s resolutions are tempting. Can we crawl out from beneath the weight we feel? Can we finally admit the truth and just deal with what comes after? Can we love ourselves enough to throw off all that keeps us deadened?

Yes. Yes. Yes.

You see, if God is doing the calling, God supplies what we need to answer. The grace is there. Our part is to accept it. Our part is to pick it up and use it. Over this next year, let’s see how.

Reflection

Are you deadened by an abusive past?

Prayer

Dear God, I hear Your voice. I know the truth. I’m just not strong enough to face it, right? I’ve been avoiding it, deadening it, running from it. I’ve been sacrificing myself. I’m too afraid, too weak, too insecure. I still hear You, though. If I hear You, then I am able to answer. I am able to face this. I am able. Keep calling, Lord. Amen.