I am so happy to share this beautiful article from my mentor, friend and Spiritual Mama. She has been my “Jesus with skin on” more times than I can count. I am so thankful for her presence in my life and if you have attended my small groups, or any type of coaching with me – you know her as Teri. Teri, you have truly impacted more women than you know. Thank you for sharing your insight here with all the sisters.

May these words of life bring comfort as we start this brand new year:

I have been participating in a special Advent devotional study called “Hope is Born”, by BJ Lawson.  It has been a wonderful time to really slow down, {during what is normally a very busy season}, to just focus on what Advent means and how extraordinary the Christmas story is.

In week two of the study, I came across a verse that I had seen numerous time:

            Isaiah 9:6 … “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace…” NASB

It just really hit me; it gave me pause. Some of the first words to describe the baby Jesus, the Savior that was to come are exactly what we as *abuse survivors need to hear and know. We want to let God’s Word sink deep into our soul and heart.

Wonderful counselor– We desperately need someone that will come along side us, walk beside us and hear our pleas, hear our cries, hear our begging for clarity, and discernment. Someone who will believe us, weep with us, listen to us and comfort us. A counselor with all wisdom and knowledge, one who will lead us out of despair and darkness.

Mighty God- God and God alone is all powerful! He is mighty to save us. We have been overpowered, abused, shamed, tortured, crushed and wounded, but God is a mighty God, and He is powerful enough to break those chains and set us free, He can and does rescue us. He will bring justice in His time.

Eternal Father- Many of us have had fathers that neglected and abandoned us, some had horrific abuse in their childhood and the damage runs deep to the core, BUT God is our eternal Father, He is truly good, He is gentle and kind, full of compassion. He promises to never leave us or abandon us, He will never verbally, sexually, emotionally, physically, spiritually assault us. He promises that to the depth of the damage that an earthly father has done, He can heal and restore, beyond the damage. The most profound healing can come from Him as we run into His arms and rest in Him and His love. For those of us that are “in Christ”, we are His daughters, and we are precious to Him! He is proud of us and He delights in us. We can dance, sing and rejoice because of our Father’s great love for us.

Prince of Peace- My dear sisters, a heavy sigh comes when you think about peace doesn’t it? Oh, how many times have we fallen asleep at night with tear-stained faces? How many nights crying out to God for peace, just a moment of calmness. We have lived in utter turmoil, distress, confusion and chaos. But God sent to us the Prince of Peace. Jesus is the reason that we can have peace, He brings rest, He brings the firm foundation for which we can live and build our life on.

Isn’t that a beautiful reminder as we go through this Christmas season? Hundreds of years before Jesus was born the prophet Isaiah spoke the words to give us understanding of the baby that was to come.

…” And they shall call His name Immanuel, which means. God with us” …Matt 1:23 NASB

May you truly know the depth of God’s love for you this Advent season!

*not a label or state of being, but to acknowledge a particular audience

Guest blog by Teri Zalk