Hey there, Beloved.
Are you exhausted from trying to heal childhood wounds? Are you overwhelmed and tired of chasing memories to understand and resolve present pain? Despite practicing spiritual disciplines and seeking inner healing, are you still struggling? Confusion about the origin of our pain can be as troubling as the pain itself. You know your heart is yearning for healing, but the path to it can seem obscure.
Maybe you’ve wondered if there is still hope when you’re puzzled by the source of your harm. Let me offer you this reassurance: Yes, there is. Some wounds may seem inaccessible to you, but they are not beyond the reach of God’s healing presence.
In the first episode of the Returning to Joy podcast, titled The Intentionality of God—Gabrielle’s Story, I share my journey with a deep-seated, unknown, and unresolved childhood wound. In an auditorium of 500 college students, I experienced God’s compassionate presence through the intentional act of a young woman on a God-given assignment. The moment vividly illustrates God’s unwavering pursuit and irreplaceable role in our journey to wholeness. The pain I couldn’t even remember, Jesus directly spoke to. The Spirit brought it to my consciousness for Christ to mend what shame broke. You can listen to the full story here; I’m praying it unlocks your healing through fellowship with Christ. Beloved, the process of healing childhood wounds does not need to be exhausting. You don’t have to heal yourself. God is already at work tending to your heart. You will see His hand.
While my story is noteworthy, it isn’t rare. It echoes timeless truths about God’s role in our healing, truths that offer comfort and guidance to all of us.
- Prayer Invites Healing: Our prayers for healing are met with Jesus’ readiness to respond. (Psalms 30:2, Psalms 103:2-3, Psalms 107:19-20, Psalms 147:3)
- God’s Reach Surpasses Our Limits: There are wounds that, to us, might feel unreachable, yet they are within God’s capacity to heal. His presence extends to the depths of our souls, touching the places we alone cannot reach. (Psalms 34:18, Psalms 73:26, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalms 139:1-3, Jeremiah 30:17).
- We Can Express Pain Without Understanding: It’s okay to come to God without complete clarity about our pain. Simply expressing our anguish in whatever way we can is the first step toward healing. You don’t have to know why or where it hurts. God knows and will help you. (Psalms 62:8, Psalms 142:1-2, 1 Peter 5:7, Romans 8:26)
- The Spirit affirms Our Identity: In the throes of pain, our identity may feel attacked. Yet, the Spirit intervenes to affirm who we are and to whom we belong, assuring us of our true identity. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:13 - 14, Romans 8:16, 1 Peter 2:9, John 1:12)
- Jesus Engages with Our Past: Jesus often brings to light the incidents that broke us, not to cause re-injury but to offer healing, showing us that He sees and cares about our deepest pains. (Genesis 16, John 4, Psalms 139, Rev 21:4)
- God Wants Us Whole: God's desire extends beyond our allegiance and obedience. He delights in making us whole. (1 Thessalonians 5:23, Psalms 23:3, Isa 53:5, 3 John 1:2, Ezekiel 36:26)
- Healing Requires Presence: True healing often requires the presence of God and others. Healing is a communal journey. We were not created to walk in isolation. (Galatians 6:2, James 5:16, 2 Cor 1:3–4, Hebrews 10:24–25)
- God is Focused and Attentive: God beholds us intentionally, cherishing His beloved. Jesus seeks out every place within us that needs restoration. (Jeremiah 31:3, Luke 12:6–7, Zephaniah 5:7, 1 Peter 5:7)
- Love Will Clear Obstacles: God actively removes any barriers that hinder our full embrace of His love, ensuring that we can experience it without restriction. (Ezekiel 36:26, Jeremiah 31:33, Romans 8:38–39)
Journey Toward Healing With God
I encourage you to listen to The Intentionality of God—Gabrielle’s Story on the Returning to Joy podcast. Let it inspire your worship and stir your faith in Jesus. Whatever childhood wounds are unresolved in your heart, they aren’t too hidden or complex for God to see and tend to. As you navigate healing with God, here are some intentional steps that can guide you toward wholeness:
- Reflective Journaling: Carve out moments in your day for listening prayer and reflective writing. In these quiet times, invite God to reveal memories from your past that need healing.
- Get Vulnerable with God: Faith is not the absence of honesty. Whatever memory God brought to mind, be honest with Jesus about the pain it caused you.
- Pray for Insight: You may not understand the origin of your pain or why a memory still hurts, but God does. Pray for discernment. Ask God to show you how this event affects your present relationships.
- Seek Community Support: Do not walk alone. Share what you’re processing with God with a trusted friend or loved one. Sometimes, God speaks and orchestrates healing through the words and presence of others.
Beloved, there are no wasted moments with Jesus. Whether you feel it or not, you are being made whole as you sit in the presence of God. If this post encouraged you, be sure to share it with a friend. If you listen to The Intentionality of God–Gabrielle’s Story, please reach out to let us know what conversations it sparked between you and God.
Shalom,
Gabrielle Leonard
