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Healing
January 11th, 2009
I received a note from a student that I’ve got to share with you. I’ve altered it a little so that her identity would not be revealed. It’s just a great story and so I thought I’d pass it along. This is her testimony about one Thursday night at Renown.
I am sitting here after a powerful time in the presence of God that I really and sincerely needed.
Recently the thoughts about my future and what I want and what God wants for my life have been on my mind. When I think about finding a mate, Satan tends to throw something into my mind that I have been trying to hide and forget for 12 years now.
When my parents first got divorced we lived with our mother in Arkansas. She very quickly got married and we moved in with him and his five children. His oldest son was 17. He abused me sexually, physically and emotionally: I was 9 years old. He told me that if I ever told that he would do even worse, so I kept quiet. The day my grandparents showed up to take us to their home, when I was 11, was a relief. I thought that I would never have to deal with him again.
But Satan has other plans. Every time I start to talk to a guy, I remember. Every time that I hear his name, I remember. And every time that I try and get close to God, I remember. It follows me everywhere and I have never been able to let go. It was killing me.
Tonight, when you were talking about being crippled and wounded, I was with you. But that is when Satan started up again. He was saying that there was no way that I would get through this and that I was always going to be dragged down. I was praying hard. Asking God to free me from satan, to bind him and not let him have that part of me anymore. Praying for peace. Then it happened, you said my name.
Rob you looked right at me and said that I had wounds and that I had been healed and that was when I felt the greatest peace that I have felt in 11 years.
Although you were struggling tonight you said exactly what God needed you to say. Thanks for letting God use you.
I had no idea about any of that. I had no clue about that young ladies’ past. I was just trying to speak to the needs that were apparent. But God can use us even without our knowledge. He’s always got a plan and a purpose for every word and thought and action. We can help bring healing to lives all around us but we must speak up.
“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn…I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand – I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people’.” (Isaiah 51.1,16)
“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” (Proverbs 12.18)
If God has placed a message on your heart then let me be the one to encourage you to deliver it. You may bring healing to someone that’s been crippled or hope to one who is in dispair. Speak up.
“O be careful little tongue what you say,
O be careful little tongue what you say,
For the Father up above is looking down in love.
So, be careful little tongue what you say.”
Remember that kid song? The point is not to be silent but to be careful with your words. Be careful but speak. You might bring healing.
January 12th, 2009 at 2:26 am
Rob, Thank you for being you – a servant of the Lord, not perfect, but always willing to give your all in love for the cause of Christ. Someday, the Lord will reveal to you just how many lives you’ve touched for His name sake.
January 31st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Rob, You and the MBSF group have been such a blessing to our family since we lost Dustin. It has been difficult to express this until recently. You have been there for Ray, Tina and Becca. Just when they were wondering how they could make another second, you were there reminding them of Christ’s love and the love of other christians. Along with you were kids from the MBSF, praying, encouraging and supporting us. You, your “kids” and Gods work, through MBSF, are in our prayers.
We Love you, Tommy and Diane Ferrell