"If God doesn't keep His emotions from me, why am I working so hard to hide mine from Him?" 
Do you ever feel stuck in your hurt or labeled by the pain of your past? In this episode, international speaker and author, Esther Fleece Allen, shares from her books No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending and Your New Name: Saying Goodbye to the Labels That Limit. After a long season of silencing her pain, Esther discovered the healing and intimacy with God that takes place when we turn to Him and honestly voice our hurt from hardships and disappointments.
{ USE PLAYER BAR @ TOP OF PAGE to listen to show, subscribe and share }

Important Takeaways from Show
NO MORE FAKING FINE: Ending the Pretending

We're told to "fake it until you make it" - but that's nowhere in scripture.
Scripture is full of laments - people pouring out their hurt and hearts honestly before God.
God wants your "sad" - Let God heal your memories and speak truth to the lies.
Lies can become our belief systems. We have to challenge our thinking and habits with the truth of God's Word.
Jeremiah was the weeping prophet, Paul had a ministry of tears, Jesus wept, and the Holy Spirit grieves.
The enemy makes us feel like we will always be stuck in our lamenting, but God promises to lead us through it.
Healing can take time, but it is worth persevering and pursuing God in the midst of our pain.
Your lament won't be your final song - God gives us a new song when we seek Him during times of despair or distress (Psalm 40)

YOUR NEW NAME: Saying Goodbye to the Labels That Limit

We cannot allow our circumstances, hurt or feelings to label us.
God gives new names: Jacob to Israel, Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah.
Jesus comes to give us a new name, a new covenant. He makes us a new creation and gives us a new spirit, a new heart.
Be kind to yourself and give the Holy Spirit time to work in you.
Naomi (sweet) named herself Mara (bitter). Don't rename yourself too soon!
Live out of your new name!
Jesus is our Redeemer - He redeems everything that touches our lives.
Jesus is collecting your tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8) - He is with you and wants to meet you in your pain.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. ~ Psalm 51:17
As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon. I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. ~ Psalm 55:16-17 

Links from Show
 No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending
Your New Name: Saying Goodbye to the Labels That Limit
[Disclosure: I make a small commission from affiliate links used in this post.]
 
Connect with Esther Fleece Allen
Website | Facebook| Instagram 

Connect with Joanna
 Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter

Get Episode Updates!
We'd love to have you join our special Living Room Podcast email list. Even if you're already part of my regular list, by applying in the form below, you'll be notified when new episodes air - and get a special gift for joining (among other things!)

I'd love to hear from you... What spoke most to you from Esther's interview?