In class we learned it was our abuser’s choice to hurt us. We did nothing to deserve it. It was not our fault. We learned that God does not condone the offense(s). What your abuser(s) did will never be okay. Why are all people given a choice?
A.Those of you with children or a spouse know how wonderful it is when you ask them to do something…..and it’s actually done in a timely manner without whining, complaining, and arguing. At my house, we call that a miracle. You know what is even better? When they do something with-out be-ing told! That’s what I call divine intervention!!! That’s the same idea God has for us. He loves and cares for us. He wants the very best for us. But He also wants a willing heart, not a marionette to love and obey him. So he gave us the freedom of choice. Your abuser chose to hurt you. God did not. God has always been there for you. We’ve talked about forgiveness and how you have choices. We can choose to carry those physical, emotional and spiritual hurts around with us…..or not.
Some of those things we carry around are:
- Anger
- Pain
- Loneliness
- Fear
- Humiliation
- Hopelessness
- Confusion
- Tiredness
- Sorrow
- Anxiety
- Uselessness
- Bitterness
- Low self-worth
- unclean
- Depression
- Hate
Read: The Process of Change (Pages 29-31)
Note: Decide that the change is your choice. (Page 31)
If we choose to forgive and we choose to change…. What will our “baggage” be transformed into?
- What will anger be changed into? Self control
- pain into healing
- loneliness into wanted
- fear into courage
- humiliation into assurance
- hopelessness into redeemable
- confusion into direction
- tiredness into alive
- sorrow into joy
- anxiety into peace
- uselessness into worthwhile
- bitterness into kindness
- low self-worth into confidence
- unclean into clean
- depression into happiness
- hate into love
Note: What you will have is better than what you are leaving behind. (Page 31)
(You'll need an Adobe Reader to view and print the following PDF files.)
Change is a process.
Outer Circle.
Top Circle.
Step 1. Print out the three above PDF files.
Step 2. Cut out the outer circle and label your “baggage” and what it transforms into on the outer circle.
Step 3. Use one of the appropriate verses or one of your own. Add the verse to the outside edge of your (outer circle) wheel so you may read the verse along with what God has transformed your baggage into.
Step 4. Cut out the top circle. Cut out the pie shape as well. Fasten your 2 circles together with a brad and attach it to the sheet of paper labeled “Change is a process”.
Step 5. You can hang this up somewhere in your house and use it each day to reflect how God was present that day. Turn the wheel to the appropriate space to have a reminder that he turned ______ into ________ that day. Thank Him for it and read the Bible verse.
Change is a process.
Outer Circle.
Top Circle.
Step 1. Print out the three above PDF files.
Step 2. Cut out the outer circle and label your “baggage” and what it transforms into on the outer circle.
Step 3. Use one of the appropriate verses or one of your own. Add the verse to the outside edge of your (outer circle) wheel so you may read the verse along with what God has transformed your baggage into.
Step 4. Cut out the top circle. Cut out the pie shape as well. Fasten your 2 circles together with a brad and attach it to the sheet of paper labeled “Change is a process”.
Step 5. You can hang this up somewhere in your house and use it each day to reflect how God was present that day. Turn the wheel to the appropriate space to have a reminder that he turned ______ into ________ that day. Thank Him for it and read the Bible verse.