The Museum of Christian Hurt
I had a chilling dream recently. In the dream, I was invited to a friend's house. This friend, to me, represents someone who has been through deep spiritual abuse, someone who's constantly carrying that weight to the point where it now shows outwardly.
This friend has a heart to serve God, is anointed, prophetic, and marked by the fingerprint of God. What the Lord has done in and through them is magnificent. And yet the spirit of religion has always tried to bind them, tried to weigh them down, use them, and abuse them.
In the dream I was walking through what they said was their house. But it was cluttered, filled with photos, emblems, and items from different movements, events, eras, and seasons of their life.
They led me on a tour, excitedly pointing out all the amazing things God had done. They spoke with joy, telling me about the different assignments they were part of, the things they were blessed to do, and what they had laid down for Jesus.
But beneath the surface of joy, I began to feel something trembling, something painful... Each memory—though it reflected service to God—carried layers of spiritual abuse, gaslighting, narcissism, and a deep sense of being put down, alienated, and isolated.
I could feel it. The pain ran deep. The trauma had never been healed. The heart had never been delivered.
Suddenly I yelled out, "This is a museum of Christian hurt!" (Photo via Unsplash)
My friend looked back at me. "What did you say?" they asked.
I repeated it: "This is a museum of Christian hurt, and it needs to be cleaned out!"
They stared at me, shocked. Then they broke down. "Yes... yes, it is hurt."
I asked, "Why have you been ignoring it?"
It's Time for the Hoarding to Stop
This person replied, "Because I don't want to dishonor. Because I don't want to cast a stone. I don't want to feel like all of it was in vain."
I said, "It wasn't in vain. God called you, but man tried to mess it up. You've been carrying many seasons of hurt, and the Lord wants to clear it all out."
Then I heard myself say, "It's time for the hoarding to stop. It's time for the Lord to clear out the past seasons, redeem them, and start a new chapter in your life."
My friend fell to the floor and cried, "Jesus, I surrender. I give you my past."
Instantly, things began to disappear off the walls. Light began to break through. And then I woke up.
Letting Go of the Soul Clutter
I believe this dream is speaking to many right now. There are believers, especially forerunners, who have been carrying trauma, pain, and "Christian hurt." They're walking through and living inside a museum of shrines to the past. Yes, God moved. Yes, those seasons were sacred. But the pain wasn't dealt with.
And now they're depleted spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and even physically because of all the soul clutter they've been carrying. God is trying to start something new, but they're stuck in what was. The Lord is inviting them to let go, to clean house, and to be made whole. (Photo via Unsplash)
As I share this, I feel so strongly that this is especially for God's forerunners. The enemy has tried to take them out through religious service, twisting what was good into something that has robbed them of life.
"Give Me Your Museum of Hurt"
If this is you, hear the Lord saying today, "Lay it all down at my feet. Give me your museum of hurt, and I will turn it into a sanctuary for my glory. My glory will shine through your pain. The suffering you've endured will now become the testimony of my goodness."
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18 NIV)
I prophesy this over you today: you are shifting from trauma and pain back into wonder. In this hour, God is turning around the places in your life and heart that have endured heartache and abuse. He is healing you. He is making you whole. He will use you to bring healing and wholeness to others who have been through what you've been through, in the name of Jesus!
Whatever you do, don't miss another ELIJAH LIST email! Subscribe at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Nate Johnston
Everyday Revivalists
Email:Â everydayrevivalists@gmail.com
Website:Â nateandchristy.co
Nate Johnston is a prophetic voice and worshiper who has a heart to see sons and daughters unleashed into passionate friendship with God and an effective supernatural lifestyle. Through his ministry school, "Everyday Revivalists," he leads people from the basics of the gospel through to being sent and released into their mission field, as well as championing and raising up emerging prophetic voices around the world. His burning cry and desire is to see the Body of Christ become a beacon for the lost by raising up a generation that walks in the love and power of God, representing Him well. Nate and his wife Christy have three daughters, Charlotte, Sophie, and Ava and live in Colorado Springs, CO.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Thank you for making the always-free "ElijahStreams" possible. To partner with us, click here.
Your donations truly help us keep these emails free for you. Donate at:
Find us on:
* Facebook click here
* XAPiT click here
