Everyone Needs Healing
Everyone needs healing.
Everyone.
I was reminded of this a couple of weeks ago when I was in the Dominican Republic. I was on the beach with Ryan Bult (our Director of Mission at CP) when we met a lady named Alice from Canada. She was reading a book called “The Shack” (you might have heard of it) so we used the book to engage in a conversation with her.
It was apparent very early in our conversations that Alice was hurting and searching for healing. While she was attempting to heal from several difficult situations, the catalyst to her pain was being sexually abused by a pastor for 5 years as a child. For decades she’s struggled with how God could allow something like this to happen to her. Her bitterness toward this pastor and her anger toward God has kept her running and running to all kinds of unhealthy extremes. It’s impacted her marriage…her parenting… her entire life.
For two days God used our conversations and prayers on the beach to bring healing into her life. I’ve never seen anything like it. We talked about forgiveness, love, healing, grace and God’s plan for her life even in the midst of the hurt. It’s almost like God sent her to the Dominican Republic, put that book in her hands, and placed Ryan and myself there in the perfect moment so He could bring redemption to her life of pain.
I’ll never forget those two days worth of conversations and having a front row seat to watch God’s healing power at work. The highlight moment for me was sitting on the beach and listening to Alice pray and ask God to help her forgive the man that had sexually abused her as a child. Through a quivering voice she prayed and asked God to use her painful experiences to help others who have been impacted through sexual abuse.
I’m wondering how God wants to use you today in someones life. Maybe someone needs…
a hug
a listening ear
a act of kindness
a prayer
Everyone needs healing.
Everyone.
48 Comments:
I went to a new hair salon and was sitting in a the stylist’s chair and I was talking to her about my job and we were discussing her book she was reading it was a book on prayer and God’s grace. She proceeded to tell me how she was raped and how she wanted to use her story to help other young women that had been through the same thing and to help women with low self esteem as well. I asked her if she had ever heard of Restore Ministries through the YMCA, she had not. I happen to be a volunteer for Restore Ministries. I gave her the information so that she could help others and be a blessing to others. There are no coincidences.
[Reply]
gina
5:17 am
Wow. That is incredible, Pete! I’d love to know your opinion on The Shack, too.
Rachel’s last blog post..And The Mother Of The Year Award Goes To….
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Rachel
5:22 am
I am glad that you were there for her.
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Helen
5:27 am
I love how God throws random people together and moves His hands through their in different ways. You made her day, she made yours & Ryans. I live for moments like that, where you know that it’s only possible through Him.
Candy’s last blog post..Our Waterfront, er, back Property
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Candy
5:41 am
Everyone is talking about “Shack”, I need to go buy it this weekend, or if someone wants to borrow it to me they can give it to me at CP On Sunday.
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Gina
6:01 am
I like to call it watching God play connect the dots. A series of seemingly completely random choices, events, whatever that weave into a beautiful pattern that we never could of planned or predicted. I love those days.
Chris Sullivan’s last blog post..Round Peg, Round Hole and Me
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Chris Sullivan
6:23 am
@Rachel, I’ve actually never read it. I knew enough about it to have a conversation about it but that’s it. It had a huge impact on Alice though.
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Pete Wilson
6:36 am
God use me today.
Help me to see what I usually miss.
Help me to have the courage to engage.
Help me to let You do your thing and not get in the way.
kc’s last blog post..Concentric Circles
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kc
6:37 am
Thank you for sharing. I think sometimes I somehow forget that God heals hearts and past pain. I love to hear stories of hope like this.
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Amy
6:55 am
Although it has taken years….I am finally understand why God “allowed” me to lose so many babies…..today I needed to comfort my sister in law who just got the news that the baby she is carrying passed away last week.
Our ways are not God’s way…..and I often struggled with why God would bless me with getting pregnant, only to take His children back way too soon (as far as I was concerned)…..but now I know…..it is so that I could be the shoulder to cry on, the ears to listen, and the arms to hold.
*~Michelle~*’s last blog post..Three Things This Thursday (Rescue Mission, FREE fun and a prayer request)
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*~Michelle~*
7:28 am
wow, pete. thanks for sharing that story.
i am always so encouraged by stories like that- full of details that only a God who loves us so much would orchestrate!
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jessica
7:45 am
I’m finding I still need healing, just as a human. So glad God’s the Healer! And I’m so glad Alice had a divine appointment those two days.
Will pray for Alice today. What a powerful testimony she now has. She’s Christ’s beloved.
Thanks for sharing Alice with us, and Christ’s love with her.
BTW, I have to ask. Who won the game? Where can I go to read how it all played out?
Tina Dee’s last blog post..Meet Cheryl St.John – Historical Romance Author
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Tina Dee
7:53 am
Thanks Pete. We all need something. We all have something to give too.
Have a great day and may we all make a difference in someones life.
Hugs~
Fran’s last blog post..It’s all about attitude
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Fran
7:58 am
What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it and for being the hands and feet of Christ. THIS is what it’s all about!
Yeah God!!!
[Reply]
Laretha
8:06 am
Pete,
If you were to leave your church, the spotlight, this blog, everything that puts you in the public eye – your heart would still overflow with God’s grace and, while I know that’s not why you do what you do, you would still earn untold jewels in your crown. And that’s why you’re my favorite wax-free mega church pastor. Because God is enough for you. You are awesome, my friend.
katdish’s last blog post..High Calling Blogs
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katdish
8:12 am
@Katdish, That might be the kindest thing any one has ever said (be careful or you’re going to lose your reputation). I’m going to take that as the ultimate compliment. Praying you’re right.
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Pete Wilson
8:20 am
This makes me think of all the times God may have wanted to use me, but I didn’t make the choice to engage.
You’re right, Pete. It’s everyone. Anytime. All the time.
gitz’s last blog post..Dan the Piano Man
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gitz
8:43 am
Agreed!
[Reply]
Maureen
8:49 am
Ok… Pete.
Since you brought it up.
What do you need healing for? What can we pray for you about?
Tony York’s last blog post..My Two Bag God Theory
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Tony York
9:03 am
“Everyone needs compassion,
A love that’s never failing.
Let mercy fall on me.
Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Savior,
The Hope of nations…”
Susan’s last blog post..A More Mature Me
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Susan
9:24 am
Once many years ago I was participating in a religiously-affiliated group for women who needed healing. The group leader was a woman named Mary Anne. She was probably 10-15 years older than me and had facilitated the group for quite awhile.
Anyway, we happened to be talking about how Jesus is depicted in paintings, what he probably looked like, and so on, when I felt strongly prompted to say to Mary Anne that I saw Jesus in her. There was something about the deeply loving way she cared about everyone in the group and looked at us with her heart showing in her eyes that made me think of Jesus. I’m not usually one to say things like that! But I felt almost like there was a voice in my head urging me to do it.
She immediately teared up, and I began to regret having said anything when she said, “Jan, I’ve been thinking for awhile now that I should give up this job because I’ve felt that maybe I’m not doing it well enough, not connecting with people or helping them like I should. I’ve been feeling burnt out. But hearing you say that has changed my mind.” And I believe she’s still doing this work, it must be 15 years later.
I really do believe Got put me there, put the words in my mouth, and moved me to say them because she needed to hear that her work was of value to people.
No coincidences.
Jan C.’s last blog post..Reasons I Love Chick-fil-A
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Jan C.
9:25 am
@Tony York, Good question. Where do I need healing? I would say I still need healing from my desire to be a people pleaser. I need God to remind me that it’s all about pleasing Him and living my life for Him.
People pleasing can lead me to all kinds of unhealthy extremes in my life.
Now, how about you?
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Pete Wilson
9:56 am
This is incredible. Thanks for sharing!
[Reply]
Monica Hunt
10:00 am
You are right. At any given time that person most needing God’s touch is any one of us. Sometimes when we are the people in front of others we forget that, but if we aren’t careful need for healing will impact our ministry. If we allow God’s grace to heal us, however, then God gets glory and we can be used for His greater good.
Thanks for being real.
Ron Edmondson’s last blog post..The Leader Sets The Bar
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Ron Edmondson
10:08 am
@Gina, I’ve got it if you want to borrow it. I can bring it to CP on Sunday.
Pete, thanks for sharing. Amazing story.
DubHow’s last blog post..Noticing my perspective
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DubHow
10:11 am
This is why it is so important for people to spend time outside of church and Christian circles. Not as a tactic for bringing people to church, but as a way of life. There are loads of hurting people out there willing to have these conversations with people who are sincere, viewing them as human beings rather than potential converts.
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Joan Ball
10:20 am
Wow! How cool is God that He sent a pastor to heal the wounds left by another pastor. He could’ve sent anyone to her but how amazing is it that he sent the source of her pain to help lead her to healing…WHAT?!?! That’s just amazing to me…that this is how He loves us…so specifically and personally. I am just amazed at how beautifully God works in the lives of those who are willing to be obedient and live out worship! Thanks for sharing.
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Ashley Guilbert
10:21 am
I have been fighting against People Pleasing my whole life. It was the main reason I did well in school… I wanted to have someone say they were proud of the effort that I put into homework or studying. That transferred to work… my work ethic was about people noticing how hard I was working… that then transferred to my faith. If I pleased people and never said no or was very careful not to rock the boat, then I got what wanted… to be noticed as the good guy.
But I have been figuring out that people pleasing is really a round-about way of pleasing myself. It was about pride in what other people perceived me to be.
I am learning to say no. Its hard because it means that I have to let some things go. I think that coming close to burning out helped me recognize that trying to bring attention to myself by pleasing people was just more work than I could keep up with. So now, I am healing from something of a spiritual burnout. It can be so easy to slip into bitterness when that happens.
The base problem of sin is still there and that is the sin of wanting what I want above everything else. So the questions enter about why do I do things… what are my motives… who am I really trying to bring glory to… is this where God meant for me to be???
I guess the biggest area that I need healing is letting go of what I desire others to see me as and instead just be who God intends me to be in Him. That sounds like a churchy answer but the reality is this… that person comes with a lot of warts, troubles, and messy spirituality. That person comes with more questions than answers… that person comes with more insecurities than they let people know about… that person comes with struggles and a history that he doesn’t want people to know about. In other words… that person is human in need of Grace just like every other person around him… but he needs healing in order to recognize that and just let it go.
You know, Pete, this person needs a sabbatical… maybe an Arabia or a wilderness to be prepared for where God has determined.
Here is the thing.. I am not depressed about this position. I just feel unfocused… and tired.
Maybe I am getting my midlife crisis!
I hear that comes with a camaro or something.
Tony York’s last blog post..My Two Bag God Theory
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Tony York
10:28 am
If only you knew.
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Kels
10:38 am
Pete, I am so glad you were there to listen to that lady and help. There are no accidents. If you are still in touch, direct her to this wonderful site:
http://faithallen.wordpress.com/
It’s written by an adult survivor of child abuse and it’s terrific. It’s helped me so much to understand what my daughter went through before I adopted her, and how to help her. Another great site is:
http://www.isurvive.org/
Blessings,
Dee
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Dee
10:50 am
speechless.
tam’s last blog post..more thoughts on “worship”
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tam
11:04 am
Pete,
I ABSOLUTELY believe that God orchestrated the events perfectly so that you could minister to Alice in the ways she needed. He is perfect and knew just how to reach her and when to reach her. I praise the Lord for the servants who were willing to listen to His calling to GO where He sent them, those who sent them to that place through financial giving, and for those who prayed for that trip!
God bless you!
Amber
Amber L’s last blog post..Ohio
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Amber L
11:04 am
i need healing from so many things, but i know that God is at work.
just today, as i was talking to my counselor, i told him i didn’t want to be defined by all the pain in my life. as i said it though, i then added that it IS my story and i want God to use it. what a joy to help bring healing to someone else through the pain that i have endured.
love ya, pete. love what you do. love your heart for others!!
sheryl’s last blog post..Pray Believing
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sheryl
11:47 am
I read your blog all the time,Pete
but don’t post much. I love that when others ask you what you need. You replay openly back.
How great is that to know that others feel the same about people pleasing. I do am guilty of it and lately been realising God is pushing me health wise through a struggle to learn to say No! Self Care is one thing I think as a giver we forget about. Its great to give but now I realize over doing so was at my expense physically. So praying my way to a better place. God will see us through.
[Reply]
kerry
12:35 pm
Pete,
Praise God you were there and willing to be used. Praise God for His healing mercy, grace and the power in forgiveness! Praise God that when we need healing He is there – ALWAYS!
I too have never read The Shack and never will. I don’t get it. Not interested in getting it. And pray for the person who wrote it.
You continue to bless me as you allow all that He is doing in your heart and life shine through!
Many hugs and blessings!
Jill
Jill’s last blog post..Thankful Thursday – Forgiveness & Love
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Jill
1:51 pm
It is ridiculous how much your posts have been speaking into my life lately.
I wish you were my pastor.
And no, I’m not knocking my pastor.
Because, well, I don’t have one at this point.
In a transition.
Too bad Cross Point is two hours from Huntsville!
[Reply]
Kyle Gilbert
3:08 pm
Yep, a divine appointment awesome!
Pokinatcha’s last blog post..Showing off some of the kids!
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Pokinatcha
3:28 pm
This was the perfect way to start my morning. Thank you. I am focused on what matters after reading it.
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Tracy
3:53 pm
Pete
I didn’t have time to respond appropriately earlier. I want to elaborate a little bit but not too much. I am a woman who bears the scars of abuse at all levels. I have been in counseling for almost three years to deal with the depth of the pain embedded in my life. I know all about extremes. I realize that there are a lot of people who have been abused as I have. For every description given to abuse-neglect, emotional, physical and sexual-I have experienced it. I too have combatted the anger towards men who claimed “men of God” who could have been a positive influence in my life and took advantage of me instead. My biggest issue? Trusting people. For so long, I wanted to trust somebody. I needed to be able to trust someone. I have a very shaky trust in the Lord because of it. I am so glad that He is so understanding and has proven over and over and over again that He will not ever hurt me. You would think that having been a Christian for as long as I have that I would soon to learn to trust Him. Not so, each thing(for lack of a better word) I go through it’s like starting all over again. Until I come to a place of making a concious decision to trust Him, we wrestle. Yes, I said we wrestle. You know what I have gleaned after all of this time? No matter how many times we have to go through it, He goes through it with me because He knows the depth in which I have been wounded. He will do whatever it takes to win my trust even if that means waiting until I come to the end of myself. He loves me and wants me that much. Like me, for many, trusting Him to Jeremiah 29:11 is a process and must be worked through. It isn’t automatic. My goal is to make it that way. I want to have it that way. I do. I really do. I want to rise up from the ashes and be able to say with confidence, “It’s going to be alright. God has it in control.” Suffice it to say, I am not there yet.
Kels
[Reply]
Kels
4:25 pm
@Kels, you’re at the top of my prayer list. I know that can be an incredibly long journey.
[Reply]
Pete Wilson
6:59 pm
Pete…thanks for being my pastor.
Tony York…you nailed it thanks
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Phil
7:08 pm
It’s so amazing when you can see God so completely at work in certain situations–sometimes his hand is more obvious than others–and I love the obvious times. Thanks for sharing the story.
Mama Koala’s last blog post..Wordless Wednesday, Laughter
[Reply]
Mama Koala
7:54 pm
@Pete, Thank you so much for your prayers. They are felt and appreciated. I have come a long ways in three years. The Lord lead me to two very strong Christian counselors. I know that I know that I know it was His doing.
@Tony, I know that feeling of just being weary. Wanting to draw close to God but not feeling that you have the energy to do so. Waiting to feel the “zap” that confirms that you have spent time with Him-believe me, I know. I will pray for a refreshing outpouring of Him into your life. I pray that you will so sense His presence that you will not be able to deny it. I pray that He will breathe new life into you. I pray that He fill you with His joy and that it will be your strength.
Your sister in Christ,
Kels
[Reply]
Kels
8:42 pm
We had our first group at CSM this week and as we interacted with them and saw God work through them with the people of Nashville our staff and the students were reminded how broken we all are. That no matter whether we are the homeless men at the riverfront or the churchy youth group kids we all have brokeness of some sort. And the amazing thing is that God is wanting to heal and redeem the hearts of the broken and weary. Sadly it’s a bond every human can share and an important part of a person’s story. As I learn to listen and process my new friends’ stories God is showing me how His love and grace can heal brokenness and how He truly does desire to comfort the broken hearted
Jody’s last blog post..Community
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Jody
10:07 pm
the steps of a righteous man are ordered of God.
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Lorelei King
7:15 am
Awesome Pete! I’ve always thought of my job as a NICU RN to be my greatest mission field. People all around us are hurting and need to hear the message of Hope that Jesus brought!
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Jen
5:35 am
Oh, Pete! Of course I’m right! I’m always right!
katdish’s last blog post..Betrayer (by Brian C. Russell)
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katdish
5:38 am
How awful is it that I wish God would send my encouragement on the beach? I wrote a post once called Be Kinder Than Necessary… you’re so right, Everyone needs encouragement, and it blows your mind to know what’s behind the happy face mask.
Blessings,
Carolynn
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Carolynn @ Willow Tree
10:23 pm