If you can learn one thing from the vulnerable process of opening up your past and bringing your story to the light, just know—HE SEES YOU. He always has.

We are curated from the day we are born, and all failures and pains are redeemed the day we receive Jesus.

He prunes us of what is unnecessary and our past becomes our testimony. I believe that the areas each individual struggles most (pain, bondage and trauma) is the area God intends to prepare them for a specific calling.

If you struggled with lying and deceit, you may be called to be a truth teller-an evangelist.
If you struggle with gluttony or eating disorders, you may be called to help people heal with whole food and self care.
If you have been a mocker or even a killer of Christians, you may be called to pave the path of the church in your region (remind you of anyone? That’s the testimony of the apostle Paul- one of the greatest evangelists to ever live!)
If you have dealt with infidelity or been hurt by it, you may be called to relationship ministry.
If you have been insecure, you may be called to be a teacher and build people up.
If you have been hurt by abuse, you may be called to counsel and lay hands on people needing healing.
If you have dealt with abandonment, you may feel a fire to adopt or foster children or go out and mission to serve the lost.
If you have had an addiction, you may be transformed into a calling of sponsoring and holding up accountability for others. You might speak loving truth when necessary with boldness.
If you have been treated unfairly, you may have a heart for justice.
If you have been incapacitated, you may be called to walk on water and model a supernatural testimony for His glory and the salvation of others.

Maybe you have had severe pain (physical or emotional) and you are called to coach and hold up those who suffer in that season where they just have to endure for a while.

We are designed with a purpose before we are born, each to hold our own role in the church body. However, genetics and design all manifest through our experiences, victories and painful stories. These stories induce our calling!

You are being formed and curated—since before conception. Your story is your testimony-as every part of it is redeemable when sprinkled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

You will find freedom by sharing your story in a safe place. It needs to surface, contrary to what many believers say. Your past is your testimony, but you must review it to learn where the lies developed in your spirit—where the enemy tricked you to believe you are unworthy and that you need to strive in life. Thats just not true!

“When I became a man, I did away with childish things… I am not fit, but by grace of God, I am what I am.”- 1 Corinthians 13

“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” - 2 Corinthians 2:13

Bring your story to the surface. Speak in boldness. Let Him illuminate your burdens and your shame, and the veil taken away.

Let’s look at the healing process in the Scriptures:

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” - Genesis 50:20

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” - John 15:1-27

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”-Jeremiah 1:4

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” - Jeremiah 29:11

“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, [and] he saved them out of their distresses.” - Psalms 107:13-16

”He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.”- Psalms 91:4-6

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”- Psalms 34:4

“Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”- Isaiah 41:10

Check out what Christ has promised us—what He HAS and WILL do with our past. He translates it to victory, royal priesthood material, abundant life!

Now we turn to Isaiah.

Isaiah 61 is a foretelling of the Jews deliverance from Babylon.

The story says the church will be the royal priesthood and will provide honor and joy instead of her sorrow. Relationships will have success and prosperity where she can enjoy her blessings. Did you know the Jewish church was blessed, even beyond the Christian church?

Christ was this to the world as the Jewish church was the proclaimers of their time. Jesus was sent to proclaim the good news and bind up the brokenhearted! His job was completed.

We have freedom because of this. These promises are for us! The spirit of God was upon Jesus and furnished him to bring joy and healing.

Isaiah 61 (Entire chapter)
”The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien [shall be] your plowmen and your vinedressers. But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: [men] shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. For your shame [ye shall have] double; and [for] confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them. For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. [Jesus preached this in Luke 4].”- Isaiah 61

We learn here that the more pain we have, guilt from sin, fear of wrath, hearts of grief and desperation—the more humbly and openly we can see His power.

He can then silence our fears and hold us. It becomes easier to receive.

“The poor are best disposed to receive the gospel. Why? It is best received for us when we accept the gospel with meekness.” - James 2:5

“Christ proclaims the day of vengeance of our God, the vengeance he takes, [1.] On sin and Satan, death and hell, and all the powers of darkness, that were to be destroyed in order to our deliverances; these Christ triumphed over in his cross, having spoiled and weakened them, shamed them, and made a show of them openly, therein taking vengeance on them for all the injury they had done both to God and man,” Commentary on Isaiah 61

“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross".”- Colossians 2:15

[Jesus made himself vulnerable in order to be redeemed.]

AND HE ALSO SEES YOU!

“Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll — are they not in your record?”- Psalm 56:8

God is our comforter. Yes, He sees you! He not only holds us while in pain—He puts his spirit of comfort ON us. This is a supernatural process. He liberates us from our bondage. He converts our pain to joy. He redeems our failures and puts a crown on our head. We are royalty in His eyes. All of His power is plenty to bring us out of the mud and help us heal. We will go from sorrow to praise. Because we are HIS children with a future and a plan—designed by Him. We can drown our fears in His perfect love.

Listen to “No Longer Slaves” by Bethel.

He Sees Me: My Story (Week Six)