A Healing Journey: Awakened to God’s Love, Unfolding Identity and Purpose

If you’ve ever questioned God’s love, felt unsure who you are, and wondered what you were created for, I’ve been there, too. This is a glimpse into my healing journey—where God met me, awakened my heart to His love, and restored the deeper truths of my identity and purpose. I haven’t arrived, but I’m walking it out, and I’d love to invite you on the journey, too.

When God’s Love Breaks In

Because of my traumatic childhood, I didn’t know what true love looked like. I had no idea who I was or what I was created for. Every day, I fought an invisible battle that never ceased.

Despite this, I desperately longed to experience the Lord’s love. I had glimpses of it through the Word, worship, and people, but the questions never left me. The ache lingered.

I remember a moment many years ago at a ladies’ tea when I felt deeply unloved and rejected. And it was there that the Lord met me, right in the midst of my pain.

A few moments later, the speaker shared a verse I’d never heard before — “I have loved you with an everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3). The words went straight to my heart as tears streamed down my face.

Then I noticed a scripture on the table that struck me, too:

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1

I whispered to the woman beside me about the beauty of that verse, as tears gushed forth from my eyes. 

God spoke exactly what I needed. I received it, and yet, it didn’t fully penetrate every part of my being. 

The Ache

Years later, I sat with friends when a moment stirred up rejection in me—I pulled inward and shut down completely. 

Inside, I felt small and unseen, like a newborn yearning to be held, loved, and wanted.

My friends prayed for me, and one said she heard Jesus say, “I would die for you all over again.”

That truth broke me open. The silent cry gushed forth from the depths of my being. 

This is what my heart had longed for: to know Him and be loved by Him.

I could return to that moment for a few days and linger in the encounter. But again, it didn’t reach every part of me. Doubt continued.

Even now, tears sting my eyes with gratitude as I write this.

When Love Awakens the Heart

I stood on many of the scriptures about my identity in Christ. I got a measure of victory, but still, there were parts of me that couldn’t receive it.

Since areas weren’t on board with that message, I pursued my identity and purpose in a variety of ways, only to come up empty.

My heart couldn’t grasp the future. It felt blurry and out of reach.

But things changed when the Lord awakened my heart to His love during a season of emotional healing.

Wave after wave of His love poured into me—fierce and flooding—into places long shut down. His love felt almost too much to bear, yet it was exactly what my heart had longed for all along.

Believing After Experiencing God’s Love

I emerged from this time experientially knowing His love for me, walking in my identity in Christ, and believing He had a plan for my life.

Something shifted.

I moved from standing on the Word in faith to believing it deep in my heart.

I finally believed…

He has loved me with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

How great is the love the Father has lavished on me because I am a child of God.  1 John 3:1

I am fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. Psalm 139:14 & Genesis 1:26

And that before I was formed, He knew me. Before I was born, He set me apart for His special use. Jeremiah 1:5

The Layers of Healing and Identity

At the time, I didn’t realize there was much more to discover on this healing journey. I write this now, not from a place of arrival — this revelation is still unfolding.

I’ve learned that discovering and knowing our identity happens in layers. It’s the restoration of parts of us that didn’t – or couldn’t – receive the truth.

Unhealed trauma causes parts of us to close off from God and the truth. Development is stagnated in areas of trauma. Part of us may remain young, unable to experience the reality of His love, identity, and purpose.

One part may fully believe who we are, while another part still wrestles, never having encountered His love firsthand.

Union with God: Where Purpose Comes to Life

As I’ve continued my healing journey, I’ve discovered more of Him…more of who I am… and more of what I was created for. And I know there’s more to come.

We find our identity in Him, and then, in partnership with Him, fulfill our design and purpose.

This journey of discovery has given John 15:5 a whole new meaning:

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing.

We don’t lose who we are in this union; we discover and experience more fully who we are.

I’ve barely scratched the surface of the realities of this union, and I’m excited to continue on the journey to…

Discover more of who He is.
Experientially know more fully my oneness with Him.
Live and move from this place.

As it says in Acts 17:28:

In Him we live and move and have our being.

We find our truest selves in this union. 

His unique expression through our lives and stories.

We’re designed to be connected and to stay connected with Him. And from that place, we bear much fruit.

We want to bring every part of our hearts to Him so we can experience fuller intimacy and walk more fully in our design, toward our purpose.

The Journey Continues

The journey to healing, identity, and purpose is ongoing–unfolding gradually–and I’m walking it out with you. 

As I lean deeper into God’s love, He reveals more of who I am and what I’m called to do. He’s unfolded part of my calling – this blog and HeartSync Healing (emotional healing—learn more at the bottom of this post) – and more is yet to come.

I want to see you discover the same, too.

Your Healing Journey

As you reflect on your journey, I invite you to pause with the Lord and consider these questions. Let Him speak to those deep places in you — places that long to be seen, heard, and welcomed. 

Reflection Questions

• Are there places in your heart that still wonder if God truly loves you?
• What parts of you have struggled to receive the truth of your identity?
• Have you been searching for your purpose outside of intimacy with Him and knowing your true identity?
• Is there a place in your heart that still feels shut down or unseen—where He’s inviting you to let Him in?

The journey can be hard, but it’s worth it. If you need additional encouragement as you fight for your healing, I invite you to check out this post.

Join Me on the Journey

If this post spoke to your heart, I invite you to join me on this journey. 

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Curious about emotional healing and HeartSync Healing? Emotional healing is where the Lord meets us in the hidden, hurting places that feel shut down, disconnected, or forgotten – and brings His love and truth. I create space for you to connect with Him in those places through HeartSync. To learn more about HeartSync, click here to visit my HeartSync page.