We initially were in the approval process to lead a group at Mercy Culture Fort Worth. Through the course of our interview process, it was discerned by the groups leader that further healing was needed prior to leading a group.  She recommended BLoved for Couples for additional healing.  At first this was a hard ask and a little disappointing, but we submitted to her leadership and are very grateful that we did.

A word from Laura

There were some up and down moments for the both of us during the class. In the beginning, out of our stubbornness, we both questioned if this group was going to help at all, but as we pursued and stayed committed, we have seen breakthrough. It was valuable to be reminded that our relationship with God is our first priority and then each other. I definitely feel that I grew in my faith with Christ and in greater intimacy with the Father. We are also now more dedicated to communication, forgiveness, love and prayer as we continue to grow and walk in a healthy marriage. At times in marriage we expect so much from the other person or set our standards so high for our spouse while not understanding that they are incapable of doing the things asked or expected of them.  I learned that we both have brokenness and trauma from our upbringing which impacted our ability to have compassion and understanding for one another. When you have been damaged, hurt, cut or betrayed through life and have allowed sin to control you or have access to your soul you can become cold, numb, and hardened even while walking with Christ. When someone’s soul is at that state they have nothing to give or offer. Spiritually, if you have not received freedom in a particular area, how can you free others? Even more reason to forgive your spouse and give them mercy, love them and pray for them because they are human and will fall short of our expectations. I learned part of Satan’s job from the beginning was to destroy the family unity, to destroy marriages (husband and wife) and to manipulate and confuse the roles of husband and wife, woman and man. I learned that jezebel is the culprit behind a woman being independent and unhusband, that wants a woman to feel superior to man and belittle or dishonor our husbands. Baal wants to make men steal from their families and abandon their mission and ministry.

As wives’ we are called to love, respect and honor our husbands, to encourage and come alongside them and to help build our household as one with Christ. To submit sometimes looks like stepping back and letting my husband take thelead, even if he messes up. Husbands are to be the head and leader of their home. I just need to pray and trust God. I am not my husband’s mother; I am his wife. There is beauty and power in Christ being the weaker vessel. For when I am weak then He is strong. Through this season the Lord revealed to me I needed to learn to be weak. I wept when I heard the Holy Spirit say this because all I’ve known is to be strong, tough it out, suck it up and keep things going but in that moment, I understood being weak meant to rely and depend solely on the Lord’s strength, might, power and grace and not my own for the Lord’s grace is sufficient. It is enough. The biggest takeaway from BLoved for me was learning to communicate, slow down and recognize what I’m thinking and feeling when I’m in my flesh and struggling with something and to pray in my heavenly language consistently.

None of this would have been possible to walk out without the help of the Holy Spirit and his beautiful servant Kelly. She was a voice of reason, a voice of wisdom and council. She loved us both well through the process, always covered us in prayer and encouraged us. She didn’t give up.  She pursued the journey with us. There were a couple of personal things that occurred in childhood I had not shared with anyone, even after Christ and going to church these past years. I suppressed it to the point that I made myself believe it didn’t happen. I could feel it coming to the surface and it had to get out. I’m truly thankful for the healing and freedom I have gained through this. I’m thankful for the spiritual/biblical understanding of what’s taking place behind the scenes of our habits, behavior, emotions, and thoughts. All in all I’m grateful for everything I’ve gotten out of it. The only way you will see the breakthrough is if you stay the course.

A word from Johnny

My greatest takeaway from BLoved is that it gets deep in the roots and exposes the lies of the enemy and helps you grow in your walk with the Lord.  Through the class you grow in your intimacy with the Lord and your spouse if you are married. I would recommend BLoved to single people as well. I feel like everyone should dig deep into the soul and roots, so they don’t take their baggage into their marriage or relationships like we did.  People do it all the time and wonder why they struggle with their relationships. Without deep healing it can make it difficult to walk with the Lord and grow in your walk.  BLoved was definitely a game changer for me.  I am very honored to get to have completed the course and if I had to take it multiple times I would.