Captivated Me

There is something so sweet and refreshing about Easter. A day when we can remember what our mighty Savior did for us, taking on our sin and shame, freeing us from condemnation, delivering us from forever darkness, and offering everlasting hope.⁣⁣
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The power of His resurrection took on a whole new meaning in my life today, as I find myself restored, strengthened, and breathing deeply again after a six-year season of setting up camp with relentless hurt and heartache. A season of believing inaccuracies conveyed by others rather than believing truths that God speaks over me; a long season of feeling “less than”, belittled, demeaned, accessory, unimportant. To spend the past year processing that hurt, grieving deep losses, and learning to express my heartache in a healthy way (after ignoring it for years and then coping with it very bitterly for a time last year) has been the hardest battle I have ever faced. Praise God, He has never left me to face it alone; He is endlessly faithful and keeps His promises. Friends and family have stepped in with words of sharpening but gentle grace, truth, hope, and love. God has shown up through the presence of loved ones and strangers who have approached to assure me that I am loved and provided for and not forsaken. And now, just these past five months, I’ve been led on a chain-breaking journey marked by gaining freedom from the lies I believed for so long; learning to forgive others and myself in a total, real, sustainable and super humbling way; and feeling my heart being resuscitated – blooming after years of wilting. I find myself able to appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice with an awe I have never had before. ⁣⁣
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His death and resurrection mean brokenness and bitterness do not control or define me, nor do the words or actions of others. Because He is risen indeed, I am FREE indeed. Not bound by the past, not held captive by hurt, not stifled by oppression. Free, confident, safe, joyful, and filled with hope. Not because of anything I have done, but completely, entirely, 100% because of what HE did on the cross.⁣⁣
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A blessed and happy Easter to you, friends. Be encouraged, and know you are loved.⁣⁣
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He is risen. 💛