Some experiences, some conversations, along with some quiet times recently, brought to the forefront of my heart something that happens all too often in the lives of believers (all people, really, but we as believers have a hope and healing for our souls that others do not have—and psychology, apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, cannot offer).

Into the lives of the victims of abuse, whether physical, verbal, sexual, religious, or emotional, comes the messages that we are bad, we are not good enough, we are not loveable or lovely, or there is something inherently wrong with us as human beings.  Even those who come from “good” homes, careless or cross words can wreak havoc with a child’s emotions and identity as God’s child, “…His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Before conception God knew us and from conception He formed us—we are “fearfully and wonderfully made”; we are marvelous, for we are His workmanship, and His thoughts towards us are innumerable and precious.  Yet the world and the enemy bombard our lives with quite different messages, often coming to us in the form of curses, “You always…”, “you never…”, “you are…”, “you aren’t…”, “I wish you would…”, “I hope you…” just to name a few.  Oftentimes words spoken to us in anger or frustration hang like heavy weights around our necks, reminding us of their messages at vulnerable times and when we least expect them.

Proverbs 26:2 states, “Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not alight.”  Life has taught me that the one whose mission is to accuse believers of just about anything he can come up with, hopes to find a way to convince us that the “curses” and the difficulties that “alight” on our lives just as a matter of “life happening”, likes to use the phrase, “it’s your fault!”  Yet the Holy Spirit assures us through the apostle Paul, “…giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12-14).

Often the curses spoken by others and whispered by satan are birthed in anger or hatred and reflect the accusation, “this is what you should be and you are not!” or “this is not how you should be!”  This type of condemnation focuses more on who we are instead of what we do, attempting to disqualify us as valuable, and denying our individual uniqueness—designed by our loving Creator.

Legalism also provides a stepping-stone for curses, and unfortunately many “laws” that are generated from religion do not have their birthplace in the kingdom of God.  “Should-be” or “should do” instead of “Christ did” are indicators that we are laboring under a curse:  “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’  Yet the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’  Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith” (Galatians 3:11-14).

The life of Joseph is a beautiful illustration of broken curses—neither the evil plots of his brothers nor the enemy’s accusations could alter God’s purposes for his life.  In fact, God used the adverse situations and negative relationship dynamics to accomplish His purposes for Joseph’s life, the Israelite nation, and ultimately God’s plan for redeeming mankind.  Joseph’s response to his brothers is a testimony of the sovereignty of God and forgiveness:  “Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?  But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.  Now therefore, do not be afraid…” (Genesis 50:19-21).

Forgiving the people who hurt us is an essential aspect of freeing our hearts from the power of their words and actions because satan works through unforgiveness to keep us in bondage, affecting our relationship with God, and separating us from the love and forgiveness that our heavenly Father offers.  “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25, 26).  I recognize that sometimes the offenses against us may seem too heinous to forgive, yet as we see our sinful condition before God and receive His forgiveness, the Holy Spirit is able to work forgiveness for others into our hearts.

Many people are familiar with the story of Corrie ten Boom, imprisoned by the Germans during WWII and losing her family during the atrocities of the Nazi regime.  She wrote, “Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” (Corrie ten Boom, Clippings from My Notebook)

Receiving by faith the salvation and ministry of Jesus, who came “to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…” (Isaiah 61:1), enables us to ignite the process of healing and restoration.  Immersing our minds in God’s Word, the Bible, assists us in our journey of faith.  Jesus taught, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. …Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:31-32, 36).

Breaking free from the lies of the enemy often is not an easy undertaking when much of life and society seem to confirm them.  Yet scripture teaches that we are the children and heirs of God (Romans 8:16, 17), we are more than conquerors through Jesus (Romans 8:37), we are sufficient in God (2 Corinthians 3:5), we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10), we are sons and daughters of light, not darkness (1 Thessalonians 5:5), we are in Him because we keep His word (1 John 2:5), and we are of God, though the whole world lies under the sway of the enemy (1 John 5:19, 20).

Let us continue to fight the good fight of faith, believing in our God-given identity and the amazing destiny He has for each one of His children!