Jesus Saves and Jesus Heals

In this post Healing Hearts study leader Lee-Ann Chisholm shares about the transforming power of the Lord in the lives of His children!

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound (Isaiah 61:1, NKJV).”

Freedom at Last!

You might see me at church with hands lifted high, singing along in worship to “Thank God Almighty I am Free At Last,” or “Where the Spirit of the Lord there is freedom.” This is my act of worship and honour as I give glory to God the Almighty. He saved me from a life of shame, guilt, lies and torture that the enemy was keeping me in bondage to! He set me free, no longer a slave to sin, no longer afraid of living.

This freedom is what has led me to share the secrets of my past sin, and to let God use me as an instrument in the Redeemer’s hands to do what He wills with my story. My hope is that it will encourage others to see the freedom that only Jesus can provide.

Living with the Pain of my Choices

By the age of 18, I had experienced an abortion, used drugs and alcohol, and was spiraling out of control with no future in sight. I had so much shame over who I perceived myself to be and what I had allowed in my life. I believed I was not worthy of love without conditions. My compromises held me in bondage to fear, anger and condemnation.

By God’s grace I was saved! I was 19-years-old and a new Christian and I was saved by Jesus, but I was STILL in emotional pain.

I’m a Fake!

Shortly after giving my heart and life to Jesus. I attended a Christian pro-life event. I had so much shame about my secret abortion. I thought, “How can I attend this event and hold up a sign to protect life while living with the anguish of my previous choices? Am I even really a Christian? If I am, why do I still struggle with anger, shame, not forgiving others? Why do I still feel condemnation and embarrassment over my sin?”

God Saw My Brokenness

In God’s perfect timing, I attended a women’s conference at RMCC where, for the first time, I heard the testimony of another Christian woman who had also experienced the pain of abortion. However, with the grace and healing from God, she was now leading others to this same freedom as a Healing Hearts leader. I finally had hope that the anguish and pain of my secret sin could be addressed, and that I too might be able to experience freedom.

Why Healing Hearts?

Doing the ‘Binding up the Broken Hearted’ Bible study through Healing Hearts alongside a trained mentor and former client gave me a deeper understanding of the Word of God, the weight of my sin, and the rippling affects it had on my life. I learned the difference between shame, guilt, anxiety, and anguish, as well as the unbiblical belief that I needed to learn to “forgive myself” before I could truly move forward.

Healing Hearts deepened my walk with Jesus, and I experienced healing from the Holy Spirit, which broke me free from the chains that held me to my pain.

Loving & Leading

As a leader of Healing Hearts studies, I have witnessed transformation as women who lived with heavy hearts and pain grew to experience their burdens lifted and their lives changed by healing, while growing in a deeper walk with the Lord. These women are your sisters, mothers and friends who sit beside you at church, who were once living with prolonged anxiety, shame and guilt and have now been set free, healed by the power of Jesus Christ alone.

“He comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1:4, NKJV).”

I am hurting too. What do I do?

Healing Hearts Bible studies take place throughout the year at RMCC in either small groups, online, or one-on-one with trained counselors and former clients. The studies speak to every area of pain you could be experiencing, not just abortion. The studies are delivered in a biblical, grace-based manner to facilitate healing and a deeper walk with Jesus.

May you be blessed and know our Lord more intimately!

Written by Lee-Ann Chisholm, Healing Hearts Counselor and former client
Lee-ann@healinghearts.org