"The Punisher"
Posted: Monday, January 11, 2010
by Deborah Hall-Branch
Fruit of the Spirit Ministry
The woman with tears in her eyes inquired at a recent presentation for my book Through the Eyes of Abuse, "How could you possible find forgive for those people after they caused you so much pain?" I simply responded, "A life time of functioning in despair made it impossible for me to see the light which reached out to me. I'd even forgotten the sound of love. With clinched fist and a refusal to forgive or trust there came a point in my life when I had to realize that only through Christ Jesus true healing and deliverance is salvage. But, it all had to start at the door of forgiveness because unforgiveness had become my "Punisher." Allowing God to restore those things I'd embedded deep within my memory made it difficult to face truth. Hatred, bitterness, revenge caused fluttered beats in my heart. Most of us find we've skipped over the concept of even forgiving ourselves. It's an equal important vital part of our lives. Yet, for the survival of not only me, but also my family, every willful step towards forgiveness made it easier. At the same time within me He began a process of birthing a book.
I felt the same way. Corrie ten Boom, a Holocaust survivor and whose writings helped me to release the punisher once said, "Forgiveness is setting the prisoner free, only to find out that the prisoner was me." Life's lessons are to be learned and past on, a lesson I had to learn in my sufferings.
How can we even begin to start helping our family, neighbors, and friends unless we first allow ourselves to take the first steps towards that healthy place of restorative admission? All we need is a sincere tender heart to follow God's direction towards faith in believing His way is best.
Is it easy? No. But, if someone asked you right now to write your last words, would they exemplify the grace of Christ or the bitterness of your wounded heart? Indwellers holding on to yesterday's pain, unforgiveness punishing you over and over capturing you from searching to finally seek true peace in midst of life long turmoil.
Coming to a realization that all of mankind has different backgrounds, talents, perspectives; some have even faced abuse themselves, while others know of someone else who has. Nonetheless, we've all dealt with it one way or another gave me a glimmer of something unforgiveness didn't want me to experience, healing, and to discover I wasn't alone.
Knowing God's purpose for me whom was not to be abused subsequently reduced my stress, simplified my decisions while giving final meaning to the "Punisher." In my own recovery process I learned how important forgiveness is, although it can make one feel victimized all over again.
In the interim I became fully committed to gain special knowledge and determination to write my book. Had I denied the visions of the "ole shadowy pages" dancing before me that morning of discovery; scars of unforgiveness would've remained engraved upon my conscience. Also, found guilty of not being worthy to help someone else find their way.
Today, this is my life's tagline, "A True Story of Forgiveness, Healing, and Redemption," a wonderful gain to eventually live a healthy, vibrant life. What an awesome liberation for one to profit!
This Article has been viewed 558 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)I love this quote: "Hatred, bitterness, revenge caused fluttered beats in my heart." And your one about Corrie Ten Boom forgiving and setting the prisoner free and the prisoner was me.... Great insights to share and a most awesome and capable Savior - HE is ABLE and we are well, but dust..... Sending you a huge e-hug! Thank you for your courage. MarijoThank you soooo much for the e-hug! It was through that courage I was able to face the dark shadows of my abusers hid away in my mind, and to rise up healed.
While I cannot personally relate to the pain and suffering you felt as a result of abuse, I can certainly appreciate the fact that it must have been a struggle to heal, to recover, and to overcome its effect on your life and emerge stronger than before.I am so glad you can't personally relate to it. That means a life has been spared from the pain and struggle that goes with it. Thank you for your sincere comment.
An inspirational reading for a miserable rainy Tuesday in England :)Oh, sorry for the rainy Tuesday, but I'm glad you liked the article.
Deborah,It takes great courage to forgive and I think only possible through Christ's love. You are an inspiration and I pray that others can find solace through your words.Thanks for sharing,Hi Nancy. It's good to see your still on Searchwarp. I've been away marketing my book, but Thank You so much for reading my article and leaving a comment.
Good article. My experience taught me that freedom only comes after we have forgiven others. Thanks for sharing.Yes it does! And, I'm so glad to be free today. Thank you so much for leaving a comment.
Deborah, this is wonderful inspiration! Great article. Only in God can we find healing. God bless you and your family. TerriThank you, and we accept the blessing.
Illuminating and inspiring article. To me, forgivness is the bandaid we place over our wounds- for although the mind cannot forget- the bleeding of the wounds must be prevented from staining our soul. Thank You so much- Yours truly- EllaWow, Ella. What a powerful and heartfelt statement, "the bleeding of the wounds must be prevented from staining our soul." I will remember that. Thank you.
Thank you for blessing us with your story.I'm so grateful that out of my sufferings someone else can be blessed, strengthened, and healed.
Deborah,You have done a fantastic article, being male, break my heart when I read about this subject, but you can do anything with hate and bad memories. you must forgive and turn your heart to Jesus Christ. We us a human beings can not carries these burden for ever. Life is beautiful and we need to enjoy life. Thank you for this article.Jose, thank you for such a heart warming comment. Life is beautiful and we do need to enjoy it. I once heard someone say that "it's a sad thing to die and have not lived." Each day I learn even the more how to cast those burdens over to Him.
SUPER ... THANKS FOR WRITING .... BLESS YOUThank you for your comment and "blessing."
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.