The eternal God is your refuge,
and underneath are the everlasting arms.
(Deuteronomy 32:27)
This Rest Stop is a prayer request. This past week, I had the privilege of sharing hope with parents and their precious adult daughter. The daughter is being tempted to keep control of her life instead of entering into the Miracle Hill Renewal program.
She dearly wants true healing and freedom in Christ that Renewal can provide, but taking that first step to surrender control of her life is frightening.
Renewal is a 7-month Christ-centered residential facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The Haven of Rest has a similar women's facility in Anderson, South Carolina. Both are wonderful ministries for women who have experienced abuse, addictive behaviors, and deep depression.
This Rest Stop is a description of how I sought to share hope with the parents and her daughter. Please pray with me for this precious family and the daughter's step of faith.
ON A TIGHTROPE
LOOKING DOWN
You, therefore, beloved,
since you know this beforehand,
beware lest you fall from your own steadfastness,
being led away with the error of the wicked.
(2 Peter 3:17)
For years, the daughter has sought to control her own life. It has been like she was trying to walk on a tightrope without any training to do so.
Every now and then, she has slipped from her control on her "tightrope." Somehow, she manages to catch a fingernail grip on the rope and then her loved ones on the ground below lovingly help her back up onto her "tightrope."
Now, the family is encouraging her to fall from her "tightrope" and to fall into the "net" of the arms of God her Father so she can live and grow in hope on the ground with the rest of her family and friends.
OFF THE TIGHTROPE FOR A WHILE
LISTENING TO TRUTHS
Jesus said, "Come to me,
all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest."
(Matthew 11:28)
I believe it is a testimony of the Lord moving in her heart because she was willing to come listen to truths. Following are some of the truths I shared to help encourage her to let go of her precarious attempts of control on her "tightrope."
- She believes that she will be ok by stopping to depend on drugs and alcohol on her own. However, her addictive behaviors are not the root issue, but are symptoms of deeper spiritual issues. Ephesians 5:18
- She believes that "I am just one big screw-up." However, because she has sincerely received Christ as her Savior, her identity is not determined by what she does, but by what Christ has done. And He has made her a new creation through His cross. She is no longer a product of her past, but a product of the cross! Romans 6:5
- She believes her depression is a liability. However, her depression is an opportunity God allows for her to turn to Him and to trust Him. Jesus Himself despaired profoundly in the Garden of Gethsemane, and He trusted His Father and not His feelings. Paul, too, testified of despairing of his life in order to learn to trust Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9
- She believes God is punishing her. However, Jesus took all her punishment upon Himself on the cross. God only wants to lift her up. James 4:10
- She believes Renewal will be too difficult. However, God calls all His children to go through trials and tribulations, but never without Him being with them and always with Him fulfilling a great purpose in them. Psalm 23:4-5
- She feels ashamed of her many emotional scars. However, when the resurrected Christ appeared to Thomas, He was not ashamed of His scars, for they told a resurrection story! God can likewise redeem her scars as a testimony of His resurrection story for her! John 20:27
ON HOLY GROUND
LOOKING UP
I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call
of God in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:14)
The body of Christ through Renewal would provide other women to come alongside her to disciple her in these living truths from God's Word. Discipleship is leading others toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The ground beneath her "tightrope" can be holy ground because of the presence of God, exactly like God through the burning bush told Moses. Discipleship takes place on holy ground. Miracle Hill Renewal is on holy ground.
Oh please pray for this precious young woman! The enemy is waging war against her mind with many lies.
Pray she will humble herself to hear God reveal these truths to her. Pray that she will experience the freedom she already has in Christ. As a child of God, Christ's freedom is her birthright.
Your partner in ministry,
Falling into a Grace Net 
