How God’s Love Can Heal a Man’s Heart
Photo by Jakob Owens
Have you ever felt—really, truly felt—God’s love for you?
As Leon and I mentor young men who want to prepare for marriage, we keep coming across the same issue: Many of these men have problems relating to their dad.
Maybe their dad taught them that they had to be perfect—something that’s impossible to be, no matter who you are. Or maybe they learned from their dad that they couldn’t be open and vulnerable with anyone because that isn’t what a “real man” is like.
What about you? Do you know how much you’re loved?
Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of watching the men in our Becoming the One groups learn how to be vulnerable. One of these men in particular stands out to me. I’ll call him Shawn.
Shawn had issues with his father, and he’d been deeply hurt in a previous relationship. But he read my book, Becoming the One, and he observed what God was doing with the different members of his BTO group.
So he chose to open his heart, and this decision allowed him to begin to understand what he needed.
Since then I’ve gotten to see this man encounter God’s amazing love for him and start to find healing. Shawn has decided to believe who God made him to be. His identity has grown strong, with a great foundation in Jesus and the purpose God has for his life, and today he’s in a healthy relationship.
Man of God, whatever your history, it is possible for the wounds of the past to be healed and for you to KNOW God loves you, that you have a special identity in Him, and that you will be a blessing to your future wife as you trust Him.
That kind of hope is possible for you, and it begins with the love of God.
If you recognize that you have unhealed wounds in your heart, here’s a simple prayer you can pray to ask God for help.
Remember, He loves you more than you know, and healing IS possible, no matter what you’ve experienced with dating or other relationships in the past.
Father God, please meet me in a special way and heal the places in my heart that were wounded in the past.
Where I don’t trust You, please help me to trust You. Please restore my identity through Your deep, abiding love. Help me be vulnerable and learn how to expose my heart to the friends You’ve placed in my life to support me in this season.
Please fill me with Your magnificent love so I can turn around and love You the way You desire to be loved. In this, I ask that You would bless me more than I expect to be blessed.
May I come to know You at an intimate level that goes far beyond what I thought possible. Please lead my heart and show me how to become more Christlike in my everyday interactions with others, and may I have great hope for the future as I seek You and wait for my wife. I ask that my heart would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in all things. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
What’s the Next Step?
God is on the move! I have seen it myself among the men who are embracing this message of becoming the one for their future wife. They are realizing, perhaps for the first time, how much God really loves them. Seeing this is so exciting for Leon, me, and the other BTO leaders.
If your heart longs to know who God made you to be, join our True Identity Workshop coming up on March 13. You were made in the precious image and likeness of God, and you are dearly loved. That’s your true identity, and it’s time to be everything He made you to be.
Interested in reading more about dating, relationships, and your walk with God? Here are a few articles on related topics:
For more information on sex, marriage, and finding the person who is right for you, get a copy of Becoming the One by Salomé Roat. Click here to learn more. The book is also available in Spanish.