What type of tools do we need for the job? This is a question that we each must ask as we start any project or endeavor. If I’m going to be working on a car then I will be looking for mechanic’s tools. If I’m working on building something out of wood for a house, I will likely need a carpenter’s tools. How about if you’re cooking a big meal for a potluck or family gathering? Then you will need cooking tools. The point is, whatever we are doing, we are more productive if we have the right tools for the job.
There are some instances that you can “make do” with a tool that isn’t for the specific purpose you are using it for. For instance, I’ve been camping and having forgotten the can opener, we ended up using a screwdriver and a crescent wrench to open the can. The crescent wrench was used like a hammer to pound down on the screwdriver to poke holes around the edge, so that the top of the can could be pulled back enough to get at the pork & beans. Let me tell you – it would have been SO much easier to just have had a can opener! Not only easier – but safer too.
After we obtain the correct tool for the job, it is important to become well-trained in using the tool. Otherwise, we don’t get the full benefit of the tool. I can get by with some tools in the kitchen. However, if you give me a fancy food processor that slices, dices, chops and puree’s, I guarantee that I would be lost in trying to operate it. However, I’m pretty sure my sister, who is a wonderful cook, would be able to utilize it to its fullest capacity. The tool we need for life is God’s Word. Most people in free countries either own a Bible or have access to a Bible. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to get the most benefit from it.
What tools do we need for becoming healthy and whole women who are fulfilling our purpose on this earth and not being victims of our past? There are a few, and they are all related to our need to reprogram our soul realm which is our mind, our will and our emotions. It’s so important to replace those negative thoughts that tell us we will never be able to have good relationships because we will never trust with the truth that God’s love is poured into our heart by the Holy Spirit – Romans 5:5 AMP Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. With His love we have the capacity to trust again. When you replace bad thoughts telling you that God doesn’t care with the truth that is given to us in the following verse then you grow in your ability to trust Him. John 3:16 AMP This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
The primary tool that we need for transforming our life is the Bible. But then to get even more specific, we need to locate the scripture verse(s) that apply to what we need. Since this blog is dedicated to recovery, in the area of emotional healing for sexual abuse, I’d suggest verses that apply to building your faith that it is God’s will to heal you. There are numerous scriptures that we can memorize and meditate on to build our faith for healing. However, the most important verse for you is the one that the Lord leads you to and that is the one that becomes alive to you. Yes, His Word is ALIVE – Hebrews 4:12 NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. We put our trust in the Holy Spirit’s leading us to exactly what we need. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior then you have a direct connection to hearing from Him. Romans 8:14 NLT For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message (MSG)
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; Don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Find one or two verses that minister to you. Trust the Lord is leading you to them. Those are the verses that you will meditate on. Write them on an index card. Keep them on your nightstand. Tape them to your bathroom mirror. Speak them to yourself before bedtime and when you awake.
Psalm 1:2-3 NKJV
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
The word, meditates, in the verse above is the same Hebrew word, hagah, used in Joshua 1:8. The Strongs Concordance shows that this Hebrew word, hagah, could also be translated as: mutter, speak, imagine, study, utter or talk.
I’d like to encourage you to take your verse concerning healing and say it out loud. Mutter it. Utter it putting a different emphasis on each word in the verse. Say the verse to yourself in your own words – paraphrase it. This will build your faith. Romans 10:17 says “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” It is imperative that you hear the truth because that will build your faith. Notice that Romans 10:17 says faith comes by hearing. It doesn’t say that it comes by reading. It doesn’t say it comes by having heard. Faith doesn’t come from wishing. It comes from hearing the Word of God! In my opinion, this is your most important tool. The more skilled you become at wielding the tool of meditating on the God’s Word, the more revelation and the more faith you will acquire to enable you to take hold of the promises of God.
Example: Psalm 107:20 NKJV He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
Emphasize each of the highlighted words as you say the verse out loud. Think about the emphasized word. He = Who?
Sent=From Where? His=Jesus? Word=What word? Healed=spirit, soul or body?
Thank the Lord for healing you and delivering you. Part of meditating on God’s word is also being in communication with the author of His word. The Holy Spirit is your teacher and He’s ready to help you understand His word. Ask Him questions. Talk to Him.
Make sure to write your verse(s) in your journal and the results of your meditating on them. What did you learn from the Holy Spirit? Did you see something new in that scripture?
This is the first of many tools that we will be talking about over the next few blog entries.
Summary
- Find a verse or two.
- Write it down on an index card (a few copies).
- Put it where you will see it regularly
- Bathroom mirror
- Nightstand
- Refrigerator.
- Meditate on the verse – mutter it out loud.
- Ask questions & let the Holy Spirit lead you and teach you
- Write in your journal the verse(s) that you’ve meditated on and what you’ve learned from the Holy Spirit
Here is a song from one of my favorite Artists – Michael W. Smith – “Healing Rain.” Let it minister to you.
WOVEN In Grace 