Captive vs. Captivated

As young daughters, we want to be the apple in our daddy’s eye. That doesn’t work out for all of us. Our circumstances are all different. Maybe mommy and daddy divorced or separated and we feel abandoned or unwanted. Maybe there was a form of abuse in the home that caused us to have fear, anger, hate, feelings of unworthiness. Maybe daddy worked so much that when he came home, he was too tired to do anything else.

We grow up as young ladies and become captive by our own thoughts and the behaviors learned from the world we grew up in. Maybe we face depression and see no light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe we are seeking attention from all the wrong things thinking they are the right things. Maybe we are looking for who we are in the world. We want the world to be captivated by us. When you stop to think about it, these things only lead to further self harm, whether it’s physical, emotional, mental, or spiritual. We begin to believe the lies the world feeds us. “You’re not beautiful, you’re not smart, you aren’t qualified to do this or that. You will never amount to anything. You don’t have anything to offer.” It’s a vicious cycle that never seems to end. Romans 12:2(NIV), Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

I have wonderful news for you, my friend! There is an end to this torment and torture if you so choose to follow this path of healing, forgiveness, love, and transformation…in one name, JESUS.

Did you know we have an enemy who roams around like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour? (1 Peter 5:8).

John 10:10 (NLT) says: The thief’s purpose is to steal, kill and destroy. Christ has a higher purpose for you. Verse 10 goes on to say: My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

My advice is to put your expectations on God. When you put your expectations on the world or someone in your life, you are heading down the path of disappointment, more hurt, more anger, inability to trust and the list goes on. The ones who hurt us cannot set us free or live up to the standards that we hold them to. They can’t bring us healing. We have all heard it’s the people closest to us that hurt us the most. I am not by any means saying not to be around people, not to socialize, or even love. I’m just saying to put your expectations in the right place. Find your validation from the person who created you, who loves you with an everlasting love, God, our Father. What does God say about you? What can God almighty do for you?!

This will be a journey. The relationship we have/had with our earthly father can affect our relationship with our heavenly Father. For example, if our father (earthly) abandoned uswhen we were young, we may have the same thoughts and feelings towards our heavenly Father.

Let me assure you, there is a Father in heaven that loves you and wants you…who is captivated by you. He wants to heal you, he wants to put your broken pieces back together more beautiful than you ever were before.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says: Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NLT), “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”

My friend, let me encourage you to seek the Lord in all you do and begin this healing journey, to find a freedom you never knew existed, to find your validity in your creator!

Song of Solomon 4:7, You are all together beautiful my darling; there is no flaw in you.

I know you read that, but did it sink in? God called YOU beautiful. YOU are beautiful in the eyes of our heavenly Father!

Psalm 46:5, God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at the break of day.

2 Corinthians 3:5, It is not that we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.

What you have to offer, and these are just my personal thoughts, everyone has something to offer. The things we’ve gone through and God has helped us through is our ministry. We can help encourage or pray for others who have gone through or are going through something similar to what we did or share our testimony to let people know they are not alone. There is a God out there who sees them, loves them, and is reaching His hand of mercy out to them if they would only grasp His big daddy hand and trust Him. AND God made us all unique with different giftings. He set us apart from one another.

Finally, I want to share a scripture with you that God shared with me. It radiates His love for me. It radiates His love for you!

Isaiah 62:1-5, Because I love Leslie, I will not keep still. Because my heart yearns for Leslie, I cannot remain silent. I will not stop praying for her until her righteousness shines like the dawn, and her salvation blazes like a burning torch. The nations will see Leslie’s righteousness. World leaders will be blinded by Leslie’s glory. And Leslie will be given a new name by the LORD’S own mouth. The LORD will hold Leslie in His hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God. Never again will Leslie be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Leslie’s new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the LORD delights in Leslie and will claim Leslie as His bride. Your children will commit themselves to you, O Leslie, just as a young man commits himself to his bride. Then God will rejoice over Leslie as bridegroom rejoices over his bride.

I want you to know that the Bible doesn’t say Leslie. I used my name to show you that you can put your name where my name is. There is power in reading scripture over yourself. God sees you as His delight and beautiful bride. He rejoices over you. He is captivated by you. Won’t you take the time to be captivated by Him and all that He has to offer you?

©2021 ~ Leslie Wittenmyer ~ All rights reserved