For too many women, their past has dealt a cruel blow. I know women who have been betrayed, rejected, abused, and/or traumatized in terrible ways. One doesn’t just get over it and move on easily. The abuse may have affected her whole personality. Abuse can do that.
Step Up for Mental Health states, “Women who endure physical or emotional abuse tend to suffer from … post-traumatic stress (PTSD), depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts.”
Some of the effects of trauma include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and intrusive thoughts.
But let me move on to the good news. The Good Shepherd restores my soul. That’s what Psalm 23:3 tells me.
“He restoreth my soul.”
The Hebrew word for restore is sub. It means to recover, to bring back, to restore.
To restore means to bring back to a former, original, or normal condition; to bring back to a state of health, soundness, or vigor;
Have you ever had a piece of antique furniture restored? When you pick it up, it’s been restored to its original condition. No more scratches, no dull finish. It’s been restored to its original beauty!
The Hebrew word for soul is nepes. It refers to the life, the soul, the seat of emotion and desire.
We are not warped forever because of what may have been done to us in the past. God says He restores our soul. He will restore our soul to what it should be. He will heal our soul from the effects of past hurts, abuse, wrongs, trauma, and pain.
If you have endured abuse of any kind, you have likely read about how it can affect you. You may have read about depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc. You may even think of yourself as damaged goods. So now what?
Now it’s time to let your Father God begin the work of restoring your soul. Trust Him to do it. He loves you. Whether it is in this life or in Heaven, I do not know. I only know He will do it.
In the meantime, He will use those past hurts to help others. You will have a compassionate heart that understands like no one else.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“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
My prayer is that you will allow God to heal your hurts and pain, and restore your soul. If you have never memorized the 23rd Psalm, consider doing it now. It will be a healing balm to your soul.
In His Love, Cindy
To learn more about Jesus, read Who Is Jesus? A message for the Skeptic
“I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” Genesis 17:7 (emphasis mine)
Real Christian Women 