A STORY OF HEALING AND RESTORATION
By Dr. Patricia Venegas
Reflecting on my life and the many blessings I have received, I cannot help but think of God's restoration power and how He has transformed my life. Despite my parents' challenges in conceiving me, God protected me in my mother's womb and allowed me to be born healthy against all odds. My life was once a lonely desert, but God's love and compassion transformed it into a well-watered garden. I am a testimony of God's redemption power and grateful for His restoration in my life.
I am sharing my story to shed light on my challenges growing up in a dysfunctional and alcoholic household. From a young age, my parents' struggles with alcoholism and abusive behavior created a tumultuous environment filled with arguments, fights, and even police visits. The favoritism bestowed upon me by my father only added to the tension between my parents, leaving me feeling a deep resentment and rejection from my family.
Outside of home, I faced further hardships as I was teased and alienated at school due to my family's financial struggles. Wearing old and dirty clothes made me a target for ridicule and left me feeling isolated. To make matters worse, I also experienced various instances of molestation by different individuals, further distorting my understanding of love and leaving me vulnerable to manipulation.
By age 12, I had internalized the belief that I needed to please everyone to be loved and accepted. This distorted perception of love and the absence of healthy boundaries led me down a dangerous path. At the young age of 13, I found myself pregnant and ill-equipped to navigate the challenges of motherhood. I was essentially a child raising a child.
During my teenage years and early adulthood, I went through a phase of searching for stability, love, and acceptance. Unfortunately, I only found the emptiness and pain that came with dysfunctional and destructive relationships. But little did I know God was working behind the scenes, and what Satan meant for evil, God turned it into good. God has transformed me through my struggles and used my experiences to glorify His name. Today, I can testify that He has healed my wounds and removed the scars that stagnated my spiritual growth. As Christians, we often hide our scars and pain, but it's essential to remember that God can turn our scars into testimonies of victory.
Despite the immense adversity I faced, I can say that I have overcome the traumas of my childhood. It has been a long and arduous journey. I am sharing my story not for pity or sympathy but to inspire others who may have experienced similar hardships.
No matter how difficult our past may be, it does not define our future. It is possible to break free from the cycle of dysfunction and trauma and create a life filled with love, fulfillment, and happiness. I hope that by sharing my story, I can offer hope and encouragement to others on their journey of healing and transformation.
In Psalm 51:6, we are reminded that God desires truth in the inner parts of our being. He longs to bring His truth into the closed doors of our hearts, dispelling the lies that Satan has imprisoned us with. While Satan may have caused hurt and destruction, Yeshua/Jesus has come to bring abundant life.
Recently, God gave me a vision of two brides. The first bride was in a terrible state - filthy, covered with oil and dirt, with torn and ragged clothing. She needed to prepare for her groom. On the other hand, the second bride was radiant, dressed in a beautiful white gown, with every hair in the perfect place. She was ready and eagerly awaiting her groom.
The Lord revealed that the first bride represents the church as it is today, while the second bride represents the church that He is returning for. This vision highlights the need for inner healing and deliverance within the church.
Moved by this calling, God has entrusted me with a ministry focused on inner healing and deliverance. I am dedicated to helping individuals find restoration and wholeness by allowing God's truth to penetrate the depths of their hearts. Through this ministry, I aim to bring healing to the hurts caused by Satan and equip believers for our Lord's coming.
As Christians, we must address our inner hurts and strongholds to serve effectively in the kingdom of God. I believe in healing and deliverance, as I have witnessed God's beautiful works in my ministry. In Isaiah, chapter 61, the Lord gives us a beautiful promise of healing and restoration, proclaiming liberty to the captives and comfort to those who mourn. Therefore, let us seek God's healing and deliverance to be called trees of righteousness planted by the Lord to glorify His name.
I am overjoyed to share that I live a victorious, restored life in Chino Hills with my beloved husband, Rev. Benjamin. Our family is thriving, with my eldest daughter Pam married and blessed with four beautiful children, while my daughter Deborah is also happily married and has a son. My son Thomas is married with a daughter and a talented designer who creates all of my graphic artwork, and my youngest daughter Michelle is married and pursuing her dreams of becoming an X-ray technician. We have six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Together, Rev. Benjamin and I are the founders of Without Spot or Wrinkle Ministries International, and we are grateful for the blessings and opportunities that have come our way.