Copyright 2009 Theresa Harvard Johnson
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Many of God's scribes have overcome some serious traumas in their lives through the healing power of the Jesus. When I say overcome, I earnestly mean that they are no longer controlled by the things that have happened to them; and they are not overridden and burdened down by guilt because of the things they've done.
We serve a forgiving God. He forgives the perpetrators in our lives, he forgives US for perpetrating AND He brings healing to all. No matter what we do or what we've been through — the same Lord loves us all. There are also traumas caused by things beyond our control like tragic accidents, natural disasters, acts of war or even terrorist attacks. In the midst of all this pain, the Lord Jesus has still brought and is bringing forth great healing in our lives… and there are testimonies waiting to be released to show this. There are souls that will be released from inner torment as a result of Holy Spirit leading the pens writing them.
Whether we want to or not, the born again believer will be faced with situations in which that testimony will be released. Some of God's people will even write their testimonies as a memorial to their families, close friends and/or as a gift to the world. Many, many people will be convicted, healed, delivered and set free.
Those who believe God is calling them to scribe a traumatic experience through testimony should consider the following:
1. It is important to focus on your victory in Jesus Christ and your healing process, not the details of your past sin or the pain. I've met many writers who spend 90-percent of their time writing about all that they went through, what they were and what happened to them and only 10-percent of their time talking about how they got through it, where they are now and how God can get those reading their stories to a place of healing. What I tell them is this: 90-percent of what you wrote is your flesh and the other 10 percent was God.
All is not a loss. Sometimes WE NEED TO RELEASE the full story and all the emotions that comes with it. After that is done, however, we should take that story back to the Lord and ask him this simple question: "Is this what you want me to present to your people concerning my testimony?" Then, wait on him to comb through the manuscript with you.
Look at it this way, the Old Covenant gives many examples of the sins of men; but 95+ percent of the bible is spent talking about and/or describing "valuable lessons" in the midst and holding fast to God's plan for man. The story of Jesus' life was very short in the Gospels — even the section about his crucifixion — but when you read it, you take away the VICTORY or the POWER of His life. The abuse he suffered — every lash, every abuse — spoke to his "TAKING ON" our victory. So in this instance the details of the trauma had relevant, lasting apostolic and prophetic value.
You see, God is not a voyeur. He is not a person who who gains sexual pleasure or anykind of pleasure from watching others when they are exposing their sin-state. He doesn't want to TAKE YOU BACK into the depths of your sin so you can reminisce, joke about what you used to do, become depressed, suppressed or suicidal. As a result, your writing should not cast this type of presence over the reader when released. Instead, their should be a presence of the HEALING POWER of God… his ability to deliver, heal and set souls free.
2. Never seek to identify with flesh of others. The world has done a good job with connecting with our emotions and physical needs. Sadly, this has been to the detriment of mankind. The Lord doesn't want to pull you into a sob story and leave you hanging with a lot of raw emotions or open doors to memories of the past that have already been closed. As a PROPHETIC writer, the Lord will lead you to identify with that person's SPIRIT in your writing. What do I mean by this? I mean that SPIRIT OF THE LORD will write through you in a way that will FEED the soul with SPIRITUAL meat (even if you're writing a fiction or non-fiction novel) — not send you into a greater place of depression, video tape rewinding session and renewed pain. When that saint finishes reading a Holy Spirit inspired testimony, that person will be drawn to the things of the Father. One of my favorite examples of this includes the testimony of Joyce Meyers in her book, "Beauty for Ashes." Another powerful book that I've read is entitled, Heaven's Calling, by Leanne Payne. They are excellent examples of how a HOLY SPIRIT LED testimony can accomplish the ministry of reconciliation. Always remember that we serve a progressive God, not a back-tracking one. When you find yourself focusing on the details of your sin or the sin committed against you excessively in your writing …. that is a clear indication that you are writing from an un-renewed mind void of the Holy Spirit. The DETAILS OF SIN are irrelevant to those seeking resources to be healed.
Someone asked me to review a romance novel they had written some years ago. They professed to be a Christian and wanted my thoughts. After the first few pages, I felt like I was reading a historical roman novel and the images in my mind pornographic in nature. Why? Because those were the pictures painted in my mind by the words on those pages. Even the murder scene was painstakingly detailed — which brought image after image of violence, sex and all things ugly from words on a page. The sections that did mention something about Christianity — were vague and aloof. Because I was a mature believer, I could INFER what the writer meant — but when we ware writing for GOD things of a godly nature must be made plain. You see, when the HOLY SPIRIT is writing you don't have to worry about these types of things because His number one priority IS the Lord. I couldn't finish this book. I honestly and lovingly told this carnal Christian what I thought and sent her to the Father to pray. I've since learned to ask the Lord what books to review and what books I shouldn't review when people send them to me.
3. Be truthful in your testimony. Don't exaggerate or minimize what the Lord had done. Do not exaggerate or minimize the the heart of the story. If there's one thing we need in the body of Christ, it's honesty and truth. Tell your story. Don't be afraid to TELL the story. Speak in the voice HE has given you. Let what's on the inside of your MEET the soul's assigned to your work.
4. Ask the Lord who you should share your writing progress or finished project with. Every writer needs a person they can trust to review their progress or manuscript. Why? For one, it encourages and strengthens us in the things of the Lord. You also want to PRAY so that you are not sharing your work with someone who will tear you down. Believe me, I've heard so many stories about people who shared their finished written testimonies with loved ones or close friends. Afterwards, they were so discouraged and ashamed of what they wrote that they wanted to scrap the project. Please PRAY! The people you share your book projects with by the leading of the Holy Spirit will also give you positive insight and feedback that will prove beneficial to your WALK and your WORK.
5. Take your time. Write by the leading of Holy Spirit. Move through the editing, formatting and publishing process by Holy Spirit. Don't rush yourself! You see, as you write… God is going to continue to work in your heart. You might write a chapter, and it might be months before you are quickened to write again. On another note, you may write on a Holy Spirit schedule until all things are complete. Whatever the case know that God is going to take His time and write this precious story through you — loving you through it every step of the way. You see, stories of OVERCOMING THROUGH JESUS are precious to Him.
Most importantly, just writing about these past traumas can be, for many, the Lord's way of closing the doors to your past forever. Holding that finished testimony in your hand is also the Lord's way of encouraging you, reminding you of your victory and USING YOUR LIFE for His glory. Everything the PROPHETIC WRITER PENS is ministry. There's just no way around it. We are DOUBLY responsible for ever word we release into the earth.
Remember, saying we are prophetic writers (or moved by the Spirit) is to say that we are writing what God speaks into our spirit or that we are being led by Holy Spirit vs. being led by our intellect or unholy imagination (unrenewed mind). The HOLY imagination is a sacred place as it sits in the mind of Christ and its entire focus is dripping in reconciliation.
