Pain is an Invitation to Surrender
By Lakeea Kelly
Jesus quoted in John 16:33 (New International Version), “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” “You have greatness on the inside of you” are words I consistently heard from a previous pastor. These words didn’t resonate with me until one day, trouble began to come at me from left to right. These troubles began to tire me out to the point that I fell on my knees in my living room and began to pray with tears rolling down my eyes – “I surrender, I say yes to your will, Lord.” “I can’t run from my troubles any longer; I must now run to the one that can save me from my troubles; there’s greatness on the inside of me.” I was ready to discover the hidden greatness that lied dormant on the inside of me. I was battling depression in the midst of me saying yes and surrendering to God.
Oftentimes, it is through life’s trials, tribulations, and traumas that depression creeps in and takes root to the point all hope is lost. There seems to be no vision, no direction, no life, and no strength to move forward in life. This is what the demon of depression does. It seeks to kill, steal, and destroy your purpose. It seeks to give you constant negative thoughts, and a bad viewpoint of yourself to the point you want to just hide under a cave and wither away. This is what depression did in my life, my emotions and mental state of mind was tormented day and night. I had no peace; I was living but without purpose.
I cried out to God, day and night in desperation for not only my life but the life of my sons. I had to look beyond myself to see a way out. Looking beyond myself caused me to seek God with heartfelt desperation. In doing so, I was able to experience healing from God like none other than I had ever experienced. He began to speak to those wounds in my soul like a loving and caring Father. He began to show me that I was accepted and not rejected. Every lie of not having a purpose was shattered, however, this only came about because I surrendered my will for His. I decided to stop running. I decided to stop running away from the only one that could give me a hope, and a future. Before surrendering to God, I tried to fulfill my happiness in relationships. There was an expectation for these relationships to fill voids that only God could do, and when these expectations were not met, I felt disappointed, let down, rejected and empty. I felt alone.
Oftentimes, it is life’ pains that causes people to draw back in shame and rejection, but it’s an invitation to come to God. It’s an invitation to know Him and discover the hidden purpose and assignments that lies within you. As King David said in Psalm 119:67, “How would have I known Him except I was afflicted.” There are gifts that are birthed out of pain when we surrender that pain to God. We discover the gift of peace and joy. We discover that we have something to offer to the world through our gifts and talents. It was through one of my life’s disappointments that God birthed out my book “TransHERmation: How God Can Take Everything You’ve Been Through and Transform You for His Glory” and a coaching and mentoring program. God has so much more in store for us all as we submit our will for His and give Him a Yes.
If you find yourself trapped in the cycle of pain and despair, know that that there is hope. God is ready to meet you in your struggles and lead you towards healing and purpose. Don’t let the weight of your burdens keep you from discovering the greatness that lies within you. Take a step of faith today and surrender your pain to God. Embrace His invitation to transform your life for His Glory.
Join me in the journey of TransHERmation and see how God can turn your trials into triumphs. Reach out for support, dive into His Word, and allow His love to guide and strengthen you. Remember, you are not alone. God has a plan for your life, and it is filled with hope and a future. Say yes to Him and watch the miracles unfold.
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Author, Coach, Mentor, and Christian Speaker, Lakeea Kelly
Lakeea Kelly helps ambitious Christian women who are struggling with rejection, and a lack of identity become the best version of themselves so they can be authentic, bold, and impactful women in their chosen career, profession, or business.