Empowerment Through Jesus Christ

Transforming Pain Into Power

An interactive session for women on

Transforming Pain into a Platform of Power!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Objectives

· To assist women in understanding the dynamics of transforming an abusive/dysfunctional situation or experience into a platform for perpetual power!

2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Romans 5:3, 4

· To help women understand that any unresolved painful situation will inhibit them from fulfilling God’s purpose in their lives.

Romans 7:14-25; Colossians 3:5-8

· To aid women in understanding the central role that (a) a personal relationship with God, and (b) their knowledge and understanding of the scriptures, will play in their recovery.

James 4:10; Philippians 2:13, 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 15:1-8;

Romans 7:18; Psalms 139:23-24

· To sensitize women to the need and benefit of sharing their painful experiences with one another, for spiritual growth, deliverance and healing.

James 5:16; Romans 15:1-7; Galatians 6:2

· To increase women’s awareness of resources available to aid in their spiritual journey of becoming a healed helper. . . .for the Kingdom of God!

Galatians 6:1

“. . . for when I am weak, then am I strong”

Empowerment Scriptures

· 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

· Romans 5:3-4

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.

· Romans 7:14-19

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

· Colossians 3:5-8

Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, [and] filthy communication out of your mouth.

· James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

· Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

· 2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

· John 15:3, 7

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. . .If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

· Psalms 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

· James 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

· Romans 15:1

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

· Galatians 6:1-2

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Be ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Stages In The “Healing Process”

(Adapted from The Courage to Heal, Ellen Bass and Healing for Damaged Emotions, David Seamands)

Stage One: Decide that you want and need and are ready to heal!

Make an active commitment to be delivered and set free!

Stage Two: Deal with painful memories, repressed emotions, and long-held fears.

Commit to the process realizing there will be pain in exposing your stuff!

Stage Three: Don’t doubt your perceptions -- Believe It Happened!

Leave denial behind – be real with yourself and others; Accept that you were hurt by whatever happened to you.

Stage Four: Break the Silence!

It can be very powerful to expose and dispel the shame you have felt for so many years!

Stage Five: Don’t blame yourself!

Understand that much of your pain had nothing to do with you – it was not your fault! Although you must always acknowledge your own weaknesses and responsibility.

Stage Six: Determine to get to know you – inside!

Learn about who you really are – the vessel God created – what you really like; what you really think – not what’s expected of you or what you think might make you look better; Be real with yourself!

Stage Seven: Trust in Yourself!

Trust your own perceptions, feelings and memories of your past!

Stage Eight: Grieve and Mourn your losses.

Don’t ignore your losses – give them the proper attention and time for healing.

Stage Nine: Confront whoever you feel you need to!

Bring closure to your situation by speaking to someone you need to or write a letter and express your deepest feelings – you can mail it or tear it up

Stage Ten: Forgiveness! The Final Frontier!

A Bold Choice for a Peaceful Heart! Forgive yourself and then forgive others!

Stage Eleven: Rely on the Power of God to bring you through!

Pray and then pray some more and then keep on praying. . . .Pray without ceasing! Remember “. .by His stripes, we are healed.” Isaiah 53

Stage Twelve: Resolve it and Move On!

Deal with it – cleanse your heart and mind – and then move on into the wonderful things that God has already ordained for you! Enter into the Kingdom of God!

Stage Thirteen: Become a Healed Helper!

Complete the process – don’t abort the mission! Help Others!

“Empowerment” Pledge

I Hereby Pledge . . . .to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,

That I will go deep inside myself,

I will examine what my life has given me, and

I will remove those things that hinder me from doing God’s will.

I will not be afraid of what I find, nor will I long for that which is not there.

I will find comfort in knowing that my pain is a source of power,

I will rejoice because I know, that when I am weak

That’s when God makes me strong!

Amen . . .. Amen . . . .Amen!

LeQuita H. Porter, May, 1993

Pre

Individual Questions

1. Describe who you are and what you stand for? That is, what are your values?

(List at least three values)

2. What area(s) has caused or is causing the most sadness in your life?

Think about this one.

3. What do you feel is your purpose in life? Do you know?

4. Do you feel you are fulfilling your God given purpose? Or at least advancing in that direction?

5. What is it in your life that keeps you from being the best you can be?

Post

Individual Questions

1. Referring to the questions you answered previously, please list which behaviors and/or feelings you are committed to examining and making attempts to eliminate? Behaviors that hinder you from fully realizing God’s purpose for your life.

2. What steps will you take to eliminate these behaviors and/or feelings that you feel hinder you from fulfilling God’s purpose for your life?

Still I Rise

You may write me down in history

With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt

But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?

Why are you beset with gloom?

'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells

Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?

Bowed head and lowered eyes?

Shoulders falling down like teardrops,

Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don't you take it awful hard

'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines

Diggin' in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words,

You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness,

But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?

Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I've got diamonds

At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame

I rise

Up from a past that's rooted in pain

I rise

I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,

Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear

I rise

Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear

I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,

I am the dream and the hope of the slave.

I rise. . . .I rise. . . .I rise.

Don’t Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit,

Rest if you must, but don’t you quit!

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about,

When he might have won had he stuck it out,

Don’t give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out,

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far,

So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,

It’s when things seem worse, that you must not quit!