There are many believers who are still operating out of their past pain from feeling rejected, abandoned, or misunderstood. They are walking in endless cycles of defeat and isolation. You won’t be able to receive your inheritance as a son or daughter if you still think like an orphan. The Lord wants you healed and set free!
Many believers cannot enjoy the blessings and benefits of covenant relationships because they are stuck in their pain from past hurts. As I continue to see Christians who hop from one church to another and never land anywhere – or who refuse to be a part of any “organized” church – I see the same pattern. They have been wounded in the past by some leader or spiritual authority, and they can’t get past it. They have become orphans in the Body of Christ. There are others who can’t seem to get victory in their lives because they don’t know how to receive the help they need. The lack of trust and the fear of further rejection keeps them from receiving what the Lord may be providing through other leaders.
As I was praying about this yesterday, I immediately heard the Lord say, “Orphans can’t receive help or correction.” I thought of Hebrews 12:6 where it says that God disciplines his sons and daughters – those HE LOVES. Being a healthy son or daughter means we can receive healthy feedback and needed correction to ensure our success! If we can’t receive correction or healthy feedback, we are ILLEGITIMATE. God corrects us for our GOOD – not for harm. He loves us too much to let us stay in our cycles of pain. If we can’t receive discipline, we are cutting ourselves off from the very blessing we were born to inherit.
This is especially important for leaders. Orphaned leaders produce orphaned followers. Orphans not only wander, but they can’t receive oversight. They may listen and nod their heads, but in the end, orphans are locked in as victims and aren’t able to make the necessary changes to achieve victory. If we are to grow up and mature as believers, part of our maturity comes through course correction and discipline.
In the same passage of Scripture, God tells us exactly what to do about this. He first shows us the picture of the dejected child within: “Therefore, lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees…(verse 12)” Just like a little kid who gives up or feels hurt, He says, “Come on! Pick yourself up!” No one else can do this for us. We are the ones who have to take the first step to strengthen ourselves.
Then He says what the root cause is: “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘ROOT OF BITTERNESS’ springs up and causes trouble…(verse 15)” That initial wound – the root – is causing the orphaned thinking due to unforgiveness. WE are the ones who have to deal with that issue and “…strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (verse 14).” We have to face the initial wound or hurt and FORGIVE. We have to release anyone who has hurt us and choose to trust again. We also have to acknowledge any anger towards God and let go of any rebellion towards His methods in dealing with us as His children.
It’s time to get rid of orphan thinking and grow up as sons and daughters. We can actually celebrate the iron-sharpening counsel and feedback from those the Lord has placed in our lives for our good. Embrace this grace from the Father and see what He can do with a legitimate son or daughter who is truly LOVED.
One Response
Amen