Light through the darkness

On Sunday I taught in church on the last words of Jesus. I shared the space with 6 others as we recounted and brought new revelations and application for the final 7 words from the cross. 
 
As I prepared the text, I realized that the punch line I was driving home was really about healing. Not the physical kind that everyone thinks of when you say healing. This was about our emotional health.
 
I believe that light was being filtered into the darkness of some souls. And that’s what my purpose is. To facilitate light breaking the weight of darkness and the journey to wholeness.
 
It's the light that many of us are afraid of.  I know that sounds ludicrous, because it's not that most people like darkness... but let's be real. Once you've sat in darkness for a minute, the eyes and senses adjust. You find a level of comfort and the longer you stay in darkness, the more painful any illumination becomes.
 
You see, light is interesting when brought in darkness. Adding light to a well lit space is of no consequence or significance.  However, any flicker of light in pitch darkness, is stark. Unable to be missed.  Dare I say blinding for the one who dwells in darkness.
 
The thing with the first light is that it awakens our desire for more. You know that moment when you start to see, and you squint and stare harder so you can get see better? Yep. A tiny bit of light in darkness is significant. We start seeing greater detail and naturally our brains beg for greater clarity. The beauty is that whether the first light was 50 watts or 300 watts, the initial discomfort of the introduction of light quickly dissipates. The pain that most of us dred, is overwhelming but for a [proverbial] minute. 
 
Now lets make sense with this.  The darkness I speak of refers to any hurt, trauma, event or experience that has left you “fractured”.  We all have them.  Remnants of abuse, rejection, abandonment, divorce, bullying…the list can go on and on. Those events, whether we admit or not, leaves a mark on our souls.  That mark is what I refer to as darkness. It hurts when we think about or revisit or are reminded of the fracture.  The pain deters us from wanting to talk about, approach, or even admit the impact.  For some of us the pain deters us from even admitting to the occurrence. 
 
But to be free. I mean like really free, not just wearing the mask of “I’m okay”, one has to face the pain.  I will be the first to tell you--- It really is harder when you first approach the fracture, but I am also here to assure you, that it really does get easier. Maybe not immediately, but the truth is, bringing light dulls the sting.   The first time you come face-to-face, could be brutal, but most times the pain is linked to the fear and the memory and once you actually have a show-down with it…in a safe space, the darkness no longer can maintain a hold over you.  The pain becomes a bit more manageable.
 
The light that I refer to is God. When we find God, invite Him in to the darkness… and allow the work to be started, then we have started the journey toward wholeness.  While that may sound very fluffy, in actuality what you are doing is finding truth (based on the Word of God) and these truths practically combats your erroneous thought patterns and attitudes, then you are able to begin the journey to overcoming. He is strong enough to handle it, whatever “it” is. There is no judgment either. He is a safe space even for the most horrific or tragic experiences.
 
Don’t believe me? Give it a try.
 
Don’t know how to try or where to start? Give me a holla.
 
 grace, peace, and love
r Gia

#HOPE day

Wednesday's are usually known as "hump-day" because it is the middle of the work week.   Here in this space, it will be upgraded to Hope Day, another opportunity to challenge you to keep pushing forward and standing and hoping. #standonhope #stillstanding #hope

Even trials have a purpose.

Grace, peace and love,
-Dr Gia

...On Purpose

Today, 4.29.17, is National Purpose Awareness day in The Bahamas and I thought it was a fitting day to re-launch my blog.  After all, it was the events from this month, which stirred me and left me feeling reawakened to that which I was made for.  For those who are new to my space, you can check out my previous posts here. I blogged fairly consistently from 2009 until 2014 and when I set it aside due to greater family and professional commitments, I honestly never gave this a second thought. Now that I am here again, I anticipate that this- blog 2.0 -will feel similar except it will be different. ;)  The differences may be subtle but also in some areas, may be great as undoubtedly, I have grown, been stretched, and matured in the past 3 year hiatus.  And honestly, if you know me, you know that's what I am about.

“ “If I am living, I am growing””

…has become a defining motto for me. I mean, what is the value of remaining in the same space? Seriously,  stagnant water stinks and usually is not ideal for living beings. Life is too short and there are too many opportunities to seize and challenges to overcome, for me to stay the same and in the same space.
 
So lets start here. My purpose story, which ironically is a story of maturing.  Some of you may have seen the FB post from earlier this month, this is an expansion of those thoughts.
 
If I had to begin somewhere, it would be most accurately captured here. With this Scripture...

““Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).”

Simply because my purpose story is rooted in my coming to the understanding of the fullness of the love extended to me by my Heavenly Father. You see, before the reality of this unconditional, irreversible love- my actions were limited by fear and were driven by the need for acceptance and approval. I joke that I am a recovering performing, approval-addict.  You know…that person who derives their value from how well they perform and the subsequent approval of others.  Both of which are rooted in an unhealthy fear.  This fear laid the groundwork and continued to strengthen the lie that my self-worth was dependent on something.  That "something" ended up fueling controlling and perfectionist tendencies, which may be productive for a season but ultimately, became a set-up for a life of frustration and insecurities.  

When I finally accepted the perfect love of my Heavenly Father, then and only then was I able to reject the lie and slowly began to move from behind the bars that kept me imprisoned. Freedom came and this freedom allowed the greatness I was made for to be unlocked.

Before I go on, I should clarify that freedom was a process. I had to work through layers, to get to the point in my journey where I am at now. Fully present, [most days] confidently walking in the truth that I am not only deeply loved and fully accepted but #IamHere for a purpose and I will pursue that purpose unapologetically.  

So…Who am I? 
 
Similar to many of us, I function in different roles but I am intentional that each is purposeful.  The primary role I choose to identify is daughter. Not just the daughter to my earthly parents, but a daughter to my Heavenly Father. I am a conduit of healing who carries the message of hope through each role, each program and each organization that I am a part. And every day, I am intentional about living on purpose. And sometimes... sometimes I do it afraid, because my security is in Him who made me and gave me a good hope and a future (purpose).  Because I am destined for greatness I have to continue to remind myself, that my automatic response to shrink and play small doesn't serve the world I'm called to impact. I now understand that wholeness in individuals and communities,  is connected to me living fully unlocked. And it is to that... living fully (on purpose) that I commit. 
 #giavanajones #psychologist #therapist #teacher #TEPBahamas #storiesofhopewithdrgia #epichealth #community #purposedriven #greatnessunlocked

grace, peace and love
-Dr Gia