Page 55 - #LoveWarrior

• Take back a sense of control
• To gain back our sense of self-respect or self-worth
• To inflict the same amount of pain

Again, these are all natural and legitimate emotions. The difference is when we take matters into our own hands, we
run the risk of complicating the situation further, not to mention, causing more damage to our own heart. Take the
time to understand the specific reasons why you are upset. Write them down if you need to. Find a safe outlet to let
out some steam. Go to the gym and lift extra heavy weights, go for a challenging hike, sign up for a kick-boxing
class, go to the batting cages, go to the shooting range, or — go for a calming, peaceful walk on the beach. Do
whatever you need to do to feel the chains of anger and revenge fall off of you. Whatever it may be, be intentional
with it. Then, let the Lord be intentional with His part. Remember, no one gets away with anything. He will handle
the offense/them in His perfect way. If you can, even pray for them. You’ll notice an additional weight off your
shoulders when you do.

"Walking Away" from infidelity.
Someone once had me try an exercise that I couldn’t believe actually worked. Known in the psychology world as
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR), I was instructed to start with my toes, tense them up and release, being
aware of my breathing the entire time. Then move to my calves and do the same. As I moved up my legs, to my abs,
my chest, my face, and finally my eyes, I felt light. From here, I was instructed to envision a peaceful, serene
environment and imagine Jesus there. Next, I was to envision the person I needed healing with was there also. Once
I could vividly see them, I was to take their hand and place it in the Lord’s – and walk away. The last time I did this
exercise, I was thousands of feet over the Pacific Ocean on my way to Hawaii. This is how it went (my version of
this exercise).

I'm at the lake, and the sun is glowing in all its beauty. As I approach the dock that extends over the water, I quickly
recognize a transcendent figure – our Lord and Savior, Jesus. With beams of light shining through Him, I am in awe.
He reaches out His hand, I clutch it and fall to my knees. As He lifts me up to embrace me in His arms, he looks at
me and gently whispers, "Louisa, you are my beloved daughter. I have chosen you for a special battle. I am going to
walk you forward into loving a man that I love very much. Once you have completed My work, I will ask you do
something far more difficult than the first part. I will ask you to walk him back to Me and then leave Me with him.
You must trust Me to take him the rest of the way. This will require your tender heart and your fierce heart. I have
equipped you with both."

Months later, I am getting out of a familiar car with this now-very-familiar man Jesus spoke about, a man I love very
much. The day reflects the first one I spent here – gloriously beautiful, divine. As I walk toward Jesus, leaving
“Henry” at the end of the path for a moment, He embraces me once again, only this time I have tears of sorrow,
pain, joy, and love in my eyes. He says to me, "My daughter, My famous warrior, you have done well. You have
awoken in “Henry” all that I needed you to. Your beauty has perfectly penetrated the portions of his heart I had
hoped. Thank you. Now I ask you to trust Me once again and do something that I know will bring you great
discomfort. Place his hand in Mine and let him go. Let Me take him the rest of the way. You have ridden alongside
me in this battle, and for that, I am well pleased. You have bled with Me for the collection of one of My beloved
sons. Well done. It is time for you to rest, for soon, we will have another battle to fight."

I walk back to “Henry”, where I embrace his arms, holding tightly to the sweet memories we made. He gently kisses
my forehead. As I grab his hand and move forward, he begins to notice tears running down my cheeks. Unsure what
is going on, I can tell he, walks forward with hesitation. I take his hand, kiss it, and place it in Jesus's hand. Now
noticing who is on the dock with us, he falls to his knees. As I take a step backward, I notice Jesus holding him up,
holding his collapsed body in His arms. With a light heart, I walk away, knowing this man – I love very much – is in
better hands. He is safe.

Just as I have modeled for you, I encourage you to do your own research on progressive muscle relaxation (PMR).
Evaluate if it can help you as much as it has helped me. Be patient with yourself. If you come to decide you want to
try it, allow yourself to experience it, once, twice - however many times it takes you to get the results you want. This

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