From Wounds to Wellness
Kia Stephens Holds Tight to Jesus
Have you ever pondered the transformative power of forgiveness and the vital role of faith in healing emotional wounds? Kia Stephens, in a recent interview with Family Life Radio, shared her experience on this subject. Her journey of healing from profound father wounds and her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ played an instrumental role in her process of forgiveness, recovery and overall spiritual growth.
The Power of Forgiveness
“I do not know how to relinquish my right to hold another person responsible for the wrong they’ve done to me,” Kia honestly admits, illuminating the immense struggle she went through. Her journey of forgiving her father was far from easy, but she discovered strength in an unexpected place: the sacrificial suffering of Jesus Christ.
“Nothing is strong enough for me,” Stephens confesses, “other than the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.” This profound statement invites you to consider a powerful mental exercise: visualizing Christ’s suffering. His 40 lashes, the crown of thorns, His crucifixion – Kia used these painful images to derive the strength to forgive and confront her wounds, knowing there was healing on the other side.
The Role of Christian Faith in Healing
Your faith can be an essential catalyst in your healing journey, much like it was for Kia. She drew solace and motivation from the divine words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4 NLT). These words provided her with a solemn promise of comfort and eventual healing, a compelling reason to confront her pain rather than mask it with harmful substitutes such as alcoholism or workaholism.
There may be secular alternatives suggested to you, such as finding a father substitute, turning to other spiritual practices or even therapies. But as Kia puts it, “For me, those things are not compelling enough. The only one that has been compelling is my Savior, Jesus Christ.” Her faith provided an unparalleled source of strength, comfort, and guidance through her healing journey.
Challenge to Skeptics and the Universality of God’s Grace
Perhaps you’re skeptical. Maybe the idea of trusting an ‘invisible God’ for healing sounds implausible or even far-fetched. Kia empathetically understands this, but she also dares you to try. “I dare you to give me an argument that can match what Christ has done for us on the cross,” she says confidently. Her conviction stems from her personal experience of God’s healing, and she believes this transformative power is accessible to everyone.
Christ’s invitation is universal: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NLT). No matter who you are, or what you’ve been through, you too can find rest, healing and solace in Christ.
The Joy of Family and the Impact of God’s Grace
In the midst of her healing journey, Stephens finds immense joy in her family. “Spending time with my family definitely brings me joy,” she shares with a warm sincerity. Despite the fact that statistics suggest children from father-absent homes may face a multitude of challenges – such as a higher likelihood of becoming teenage parents, experimenting with drugs and alcohol, being involved in crime, living in poverty – Stephens’ life tells a different, more hopeful story.
She acknowledges, “I should have been a statistic,” but by God’s grace, she wasn’t. She’s now grateful for a loving 20-year marriage and the experience of raising two sons in a nurturing, two-parent home. This serves as a powerful testament to the transformative nature of God’s grace and love. It’s a story that can provide you with hope, proving that even in the face of adversity, God’s grace can alter the course of your life in extraordinary ways.
Overcoming Obstacles and Defying Statistics
Kia said, “I should have been a statistic,” she admits. But she wasn’t. With the help of God’s grace, she overcame the obstacles, defying the odds stacked against her. This is a lesson for you too. No matter how insurmountable your challenges may seem, remember that with faith and God’s grace, you can rise above them.
The journey of forgiveness is neither linear nor easy. It takes a considerable amount of emotional strength and spiritual faith. Yet, it’s a journey worth embarking upon.
Kia Stephens is a wife and mom of two who is passionate about helping women know God as Father. For this reason, she created The Father Swap Blog to help women exchange their father wounds for the love of God the Father. Kia is also the founder of Entrusted Women, which she created to equip Christian women communicators of color. In addition to these ministries, Kia faithfully serves in Bible Study Fellowship and her local church in Atlanta, Georgia. When Kia is not writing or serving women, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. Kia released her first book, Overcoming Father Wounds, on March 7, 2023. Kiastephens.com
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