There is healing in Jesus...

 I didn't write this, but having experienced some of what she wrote about, i can definitely relate...

Today marks 10 years to the day that life as I knew it forever changed. My 16-year marriage shattered to betrayal, and I lost my family unit, my home, my job, and my ministries.

Ever since I surrendered to the Lord as a young person, I thrived on being joyful and spreading joy.

But my joy was gone.

I wanted to believe God could heal me, but the pain cut so deep that healing seemed impossible.

Now, 10 years later, I want to shout it for all to hear -- there is healing in Jesus! Though you may be hopeless and broken today, Jesus can and will heal you.

Today I'm sharing 10 things I've learned about healing. No matter where you are on your journey, I pray this will help you.

1. Healing takes time. They say, "Time heals all wounds." But I say, "Time + Jesus + Work heals all wounds."

2. Healing is difficult, but it's worth every agonizing step.

3. Healing doesn't require the restoration of what was lost. My marriage was not restored, but Jesus still healed my heart.

4. Forgiveness is not a one-time event. You may need to forgive 1,000+ times in your journey of healing.

5. Bitterness will destroy you. It is a chain we forge with our own hands, a prison we build around ourselves, and a poison we choose to drink. But forgiveness sets us free.

6. God's Word and prayer are powerful. Saturate your life with both, and healing will come.

7. Going to church, small groups, and Bible studies may hurt like crazy at first, but never stop going. The devil wants to isolate you. Don't let that happen.

8. Music is very influential, with power to lift you up or tear you down. Choose wisely.

9. Healing is very difficult to accomplish alone. Reach out to family, friends, and your church family. You were never meant to walk this road alone.

10. God never wastes pain. When you are healed, He will send others with the same brokenness you've experienced, and you will be able to help them like no one else can.

I know the journey of healing seems endless. I have cried until I had no more tears, screamed my pain into the blackness of the night, and slept with my Bible on the empty pillow beside me.

I have known the depths of hopelessness.

But Jesus never left me.

It took time, but He healed my heart and filled my life with joy and purpose once again.

There is always hope and healing, my friend.

Don't ever give up.

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness." (Psalm 30:11)

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

#gemsofjoy #kimberlyjoydevotionals #healing #healinginjesus