Permission to Pause! Episode 4: Finding Strength in Stillness! SECRETS!

Hey friend–WELCOME to YOUR PERMISSION TO PAUSE!

The PODCAST VERSION IS HERE if you prefer to listen!

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17 (NIV)

Another version says it this way—Nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed.

One of my favorite movies is based upon a novel by author Nicolas Sparks called Safe Haven. It stars Julianne Hough, as Katie and Josh Duhamel as Alex.

Safe Haven is a romantic thriller that tells the story of beautiful and gentle Katie, as she escapes from an abusive husband. Katie hides in an adorable harbor town on the North Carolina shoreline. She soon finds herself falling into the protective arms of a heartbroken handsome widow with 2 small children, while still on the run.

There is a story in the Bible found in 1st Samuel 25 about a woman named Abigail that reminds me of that movie.

I believe that Katie and Abigail have much in common.

They both have a secret.

So far on the Permission to Pause PODCAST we have shared 3 themes: Breathe, Release, and Selah.

Episode #4 was a bit more of a serious theme : SECRETS.

Here is the transcript.

When I initially surrendered my messed up life to the Lord, I was immediately flooded with peace and hope—until I changed my radio station from Rock to religion. I will never forget the day, the place, and the fears that flooded my heart the day I was driving along; singing my newly learned praise songs when the Christian radio station I was listening to changed from music to a talk show. I just about lost control of my car when the moderator introduced his two guests and the topic they would share—ABORTION.

OMG!!

Abortion. I never knew God had an opinion about abortion.

It wasn’t long after that radio show that my happy ran smack into that verse in Luke 8:17 and not much longer that God in His sovereign plan placed me in front of a new Christian girlfriend sharing my story.

I quickly discovered that I had found peace and hope in my new found faith but I had not experienced FREEDOM. The freedom that can only be found in secrets set free and surrendered.

This Permission to Pause focus is a tough one but is critical for true peace in the presence of a Holy God.

This Permission to Pause is intended to help you pause in God’s presence to consider any secrets in your life that might be keeping you stuck or blocking your peace.

Listen to me carefully. Please–

I did not set this pause to create shame or fear, any more than God set the radio show on my station that day to bring me pain. He set up that radio show up to open the door to healing and restoration that would actually set me on a 35 year path of calling and ministry.

This theme is not intended to uncover or expose. It is intended to bring freedom and restoration to any area of your life that MIGHT BE CAPTIVE TO SECRECY.

Sometimes secrets keep us from running to Jesus, the very healer and redeemer who can set us free. Truly FREE.

Ps 44:21 says God knows the sectors of our heart.

This post is YOUR Permission to Pause. To take a few minutes to sit with open hands and an open heart; lean in and ask Jesus about anything that is hidden in your heart—it might be a past failure chosen by you or FOR you—it may be, like Abigail, a secret in your marriage; your parenting; your job? It might be closer, like fear, depression, or unspoken needs.

Pause and ask God to shine His light where you need redemption, direction, or like Abigail—HELP!

Let’s Pause, Breathe, and Be with Jesus—ask Him for what you need today—right here; right now—

Thank you, Lord, for being a safe haven for me today. Thank you that nothing is hidden form you and I am FREE to run into your arms with everything! I don’t have to hide anything from you. Thank you for giving your life for me. My freedom from shame, heartbreak, and fear. Thank you for setting me free and leading me to the help I need. I receive the gift of today and know it is the first step to my journey to wholeness. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17 (NIV) Amen

PERMISSION TO PAUSE PODCAST is available on your favorite podcast app. Please subscribe and follow to get each weeks episode.

Also, you will find a FREE DEEPER DIVE study sheet here on my website in the SHOP.

While you are in my website SHOP, you might want to download the FREE STUDY ON ABIGAIL,

Lastly–please join our Permission to Pause FACEBOOK GROUP for more conversation about this topic. Also, we will be chatting about ABIGAIL in the THAT GROUP!

Lastly again–if you are someone like me who has had the secret of a past abortion, please visit my website www.surrenderingthesecret.com for help finding the same healing God has given me and thousands of others like us!!

Blessings–

Pat