So I’m not into popular music, as if that comes as a great surprise. Scanning the iTunes Store, I ventured a glimpse at Taylor Swift’s newest album. I have no idea why I peeked there. One title grabbed my eye, so I listened to King of My Heart. It’s a love song with sexual implications. I’ll leave it at that.

Sorry, Taylor, despite your beautiful voice and alluring melody, not even my husband is the King of my heart. As much as I love my spouse, that title and position is reserved for one alone. Not too hard to deduct who it is. Bill is second, though! My guess is that little venture into the music store was to remind me who the King of my heart is. Who gets credit for restoring my broken heart, cracked emotions and unhealthy thought patterns? Bethel music’s version of King of My Heart better suits my taste. 

Journal to recall and glorify God

Now that you opened your deeply held, intimate feelings to Father God by praying the Prayer for Emotional Healing,  your wellness journey is underway. I hope you record some significant events in a journal, because you’ll want to look back one day to see how far you’ve progressed. Reviewing my workbook notes from the 2004 study I mentioned in part two showed me how far I’ve come and how much change God brought. So encouraging! Liberty is sweet. Bringing liberty to others even better! 

Soaking music

In part two when I presented six actions to begin your healing journey, I forgot to mention the role that music plays in the healing process. Not any music, but specifically Christian worship, scripture filled songs or instrumental Christian songs. We know that words carry the power of life or death and instruments can prophesy life (1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 16:16 and 16:23). Prophetic music has a special place in my life. 

And so it was, whenever the evil spirit was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him (1 Samuel 16:23).

During the years I suffered migraine headaches, I’d take medicine then lie in a dark room waiting for relief. I’d play Grace Williams Oil of Gladness and her soothing melodies would remind me of the Lord’s presence in the midst of throbbing pain. I play her still during stressful times for refreshment and to calm myself. She’s helped me through five Florida hurricanes, lol! I urge you to allow instrumental music be a healing balm to your soul.

Now to share a bit of what a mighty God has done in my pitifully tiny life.

Attitude Changes

One of my treasured takeaways from adversity is that I now see it from heavens perspective, rather than from my earthbound peephole. Psalm 23 has become real to me. Abba is truly my refuge, strong tower and hiding place in trouble. This resulted from repeatedly running to Him to hide in His arms. I hope this is your experience as well, beloved.    

“If we do not fully prize our calling, we will fall away from destiny when hard times arrive. We will see situations as trouble, problems or difficulties rather than opportunities that can propel us toward fulfillment of prophecy. We can only take the highest place when we have used the lowest place effectively. The humility we gain in the valley becomes our authority on the mountain.”

                                                                                         Graham Cooke, Prophetic Wisdom

A favorite promise to stand on regarding adversity is from Song of Songs 4:12 and 4:16. A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse, a spring shut up, a fountain sealed reads 4:12. Awake, O north wind, and come, O south! Blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to His garden and eat its pleasant fruits, records verse 16.

These verses show the progression of attitude change the maiden has experienced over time. Once in relationship with her King solely for her own pleasure, she has matured from a shut up spring to the stage where she views her heart and life as God’s garden, reserved for His personal refreshment. She requests the Bridegroom King to send the cold northern winds of adversity upon her life so that the spices (godly virtues of Spirit led living she has developed over time with Him) to flow out of her unto others. Her spices (godly character) bear distinct fragrances that encourage others, heal them and refresh their senses. She invites her King to come to His garden and be with her there. Will you ask the Lord to come and sit beside you in your distress? It is paramount for us to view adversity as one way Jesus develops our character. He comforts us with the southerly winds of kindness during these times so as to not crush us. He knows just how much we can bear, alternating cold and heat as adeptly as an occupational therapist. His goal is to mold and shape us into beauty, not crush us. 

Voice for the Voiceless

Another way God made beauty from the ashes of my childhood was to allow me to help neglected, abused and exploited children. In my role as a Child Abuse Investigator, I took great delight investigating abuse allegations, ferreting out false accusations, discerning genuine abuse from child-custody disputes, and actually rescuing kids. Those sweet victories warm my heart even twenty years later.

Taking a girl who feels small, scared and insignificant due to her mothers wrath and transforming her into a spiritual powerhouse is no small feat. But God did that in me. Some people are called to fight injustice. I’ve rooted for the underdog as long as I can remember. God placed this desire there, using a uniformed police officer responding to a domestic violence call at my childhood home to show me that authority figures can help helpless, scared children feel safe. Another law enforcement officer put the fear of God into me when I didn’t come home one night during my teen years. I thought about her a few times in my adult role as a Probation Officer. Some of us are designed as enforcers in this world. While I use my authority now solely in the prayer realm, it’s enforcement nevertheless. I thoroughly enjoy my calling as a prayer warrior, knowing I’m fulfilling my place in His kingdom. God used these events and role models to show me my future. 

The humility we gain in the valley becomes our authority on the mountain. So this was what all that pain was about? Developing empathy in me, causing me to lean heavily into you, Jesus? Spiritual authority in the place of prayer is huge! Let us just say that my confidence in prayer has zoomed like a rocket because the Word’s deep roots built a solid foundation. When your identity in Christ is solid, when you gain a revelation that Abba is good, regardless of what comes, that His love never fails you, that your sin can’t separate you and whatever you ask will be granted if it’s scriptural – THAT makes intercession for others FUN!

But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in a perishable container, that is, in our weak bodies. Everyone can see that the glorious power within must be from God and is not our own (2 Corinthians 4:7 TLB). 

Blessed are the cracked, for they let in God’s light! 

There are but a sampling of restoration examples in my life, enough to get you thinking about yours. I’m interested in your testimonies. Would you share your transformation story?

Know that I am praying for your complete emotional restoration, reader. If you prayed the prayer or if this series has helped you, would you let me know? Your details are private but the changes and restoration glory belongs to Jesus and it will give courage to others to read your story. Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

PS: Look for Part 4 in February, 2018 entitled Why We Can’t ‘Let it Go’. Fostering our new emotional health requires regular maintenance. It’s not a once and done scenario. 

Categories: Emotional Healing Healing restoration

Tagged as: 2 Corinthians 4:7 authority in prayer child abuse advocate Christianity emotional healing emotional pain Grace Williams Graham Cooke healing prayer for emotional healing Psalm 23 restoration soaking music Song Solomon 4:12 Song Solomon 4:16 ways God took brokenness and healed it worship music

Kathryne

Christian author and inspirational speaker of truth that makes the darkness tremble. Author of two non-fiction books at https://www.instagram.com/tattooedking_book/