It is God’s plan to first heal and mend a nation before prospering it. Therefore, God gave His people a season of recovery. Where He is working on healing every wound, mending every broken heart, restoring every lost hope and bringing us back to the journey of destiny. What God requires from us in this time is our complete surrender to the Ministry of His Spirit in us who through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ lets us know of the healing power of Jesus Christ and the bright destiny that God has for us. The month of April marks the beginning of this journey.
What took place in the month of recovering from spiritual and emotional wounds?
In this month of recovering from spiritual and emotional wounds, God brings a healer in His people. Children of God have been hurt by many things, some while they were still under the yoke of sin, some from their families, others in different circles in society but God has brought healing. God has restored our emotions, our spirits so that we enter into His courts with praise.
The week of “Recovery from a spiritual burn-out”
Spiritual burnout is a profound state of weariness that affects the mind, body, and soul. Much like its physical counterpart, it arises from prolonged exposure to stress and overwhelming demands, leaving one feeling emotionally drained and unable to cope with life’s challenges.
In the realm of spirituality, burnout manifests in various ways, each signalling a deeper need for renewal and restoration. One common symptom is a sense of pride in past victories, leading one to believe they have reached the pinnacle of their spiritual journey. However, as Philippians 3:13-16 reminds us, our journey with God is ongoing, requiring us to continually press forward and pursue deeper intimacy with Him.
Another sign of spiritual burnout is complacency in learning and growth. When we become content with our current level of knowledge or spiritual maturity, we risk stagnation and disconnect from the transformative power of God’s Word. As 2 Peter 1:5-10 admonishes, we are called to diligently add to our faith, continually seeking growth in virtue, knowledge, and godliness.
Furthermore, spiritual burnout can manifest in a spirit of complaining or bitterness, as seen in the parable of the prodigal son’s brother in Luke 15:28-31. When we feel overlooked or underappreciated, we must remember that God’s love and provision are abundant for all His children, and we are never alone in our journey.
So, how can we recover from spiritual burnout and renew our strength in the Lord?
Firstly, we must separate ourselves from distractions and spend time alone with God, as Elijah did in 1 Kings 19:3-4 and Jesus in Matthew 26:36,38. In solitude, we can pour out our hearts to God in prayer, seeking His comfort and guidance in our time of need.
Secondly, we must not rush out of our prayer but wait on the Lord, trusting in His perfect timing and provision (Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 145:15). As we wait patiently before Him, He promises to renew our strength and sustain us with His unfailing love.
Thirdly, we must feast on the spiritual food of God’s Word, as Jeremiah 15:16 and Ezekiel 3:1-3 illustrate. Just as physical nourishment sustains our bodies, the Word of God nourishes our souls, providing us with strength, wisdom, and joy for the journey ahead.
Spiritual burnout is a real and debilitating condition that affects many believers today. However, with God’s grace and guidance, we can overcome it and experience renewed strength and vitality in our walk with Him. As we lean on Him in prayer, wait on Him in patience, and feast on His Word, we will find the restoration and refreshment.
Reference Scriptures;
1 Kings 19:3-8: 3 And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” 5 Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 6 Then he looked, and there by his 3head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again. 7 And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.
The week of “I will restore your health, and heal your wounds”
This was a potent time of healing in our hearts and finding hope in a divine restoration. Pastor John delivered shared powerful nuggets of wisdom that despite our brokenness, there is hope for healing and restoration. Through relatable examples from the Word of God and society, that week was characterised with a journey of self-reflection and renewal.
We began by acknowledging the wounds that we carry are often hidden beneath the surface. Whether it’s the pain of losing a loved one, the scars left by hurtful words from family members, or the disappointment of unmet expectations, we all bear the weight of past hurts. These wounds, Pastor John explained, can affect every aspect of our lives — from our relationships to our sense of self-worth.
Drawing from stories in the Bible, Pastor John illustrated how even the most broken among us can find redemption. He reminded us of God’s unfailing love and the power of forgiveness to heal even the deepest wounds. Through examples like Cain and Abel, he showed how acknowledging our sins and seeking forgiveness can lead to transformation and restoration.
Pastor John offered practical advice for moving forward in our journey toward healing. Here are three actionable points to consider:
1. Practice Forgiveness: Just as God forgives us, we must learn to forgive others — and ourselves. Holding onto grudges only prolongs our pain and prevents us from experiencing true freedom. Letting go of bitterness and resentment opens the door to healing and reconciliation.
2. Renew Your Mind: Instead of dwelling on negative thoughts and insecurities, focus on renewing your mind with positive affirmations and God’s promises. Replace lies with truth, fear with faith, and despair with hope. By changing the way we think, we can change the way we live.
3. Embrace Your Identity: Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God. Your worth is not determined by external factors or the opinions of others. Embrace your unique identity and celebrate the gifts and talents that God has given you. By embracing who you are in Christ, you can find the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle.
As we reflect on these principles and apply them to our lives, may we find the healing and restoration that our hearts long for. This message served as a beacon of hope and reassurance, reminding all present that amidst life’s trials and tribulations, there exists a boundless reservoir of grace and restoration. Let us journey together toward wholeness, knowing that with God, all things are possible.
Reference Scriptures
Jeremiah 30:17: 17 For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord, ‘Because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; No one seeks her.” ’
Jeremiah 33:6: 6 Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.
The week of “I heard your cry therefore, I will send a Saviour to you”
In this week of fervent prayer and fasting, we started by praying for our spiritual father Dr Apostle Paul GITWAZA, because in these times where we learned that healing is for everyone who is or was wounded.
The enlightening knowledge in this week is that “Wounded people wound” which is why we should pray for our father and ourselves because as long as you do not deal with a wound, you will definitely wound others in this journey of life.
When we take an example of our man of God, people who wounded him might have even asked for forgiveness and he might have forgiven them but as it is in the records anyone can refer to them and each time someone does the wounds become fresh once more. That is why it is important to recognize that, “It takes God to heal such wounds, only God.”
So in such a time be ready. God is going to give you a place that belonged to others just because your master made you cry, and He is in the business of restoring and restituting. God is going to pay back your tears.
Pastor Emmanuel tells us to remember “God is here for us to not carry our wounds like a baby ”, he says some of us breastfeed our wounds but this week was an opportunity to heal the wounds and cast them away. Whatever has sought after you is not stronger than your saviour. We must move from a conflicting stance of believing in God and instead TRUST HIM. It costs nothing to believe in God but it takes something to trust Him. Trust is not just a verb rather it’s a place or a position one takes in God. It takes God to give you many both good and bad surprises so that you get to fully trust God.
There is a big difference between action and intention, God will allow bad times and good times because His intention towards us never changes and this allows you to say “Lord I trust you, for in all I went through you were with me ”. Trust costs, believe is free. The man of God keeps expanding on this, that you must understand who is behind your wound and the purpose or intention behind the wounds to determine your anchor of trust. When we have God as our anchor, as where we stand, as who we believe in we know that His intention or purpose is not evil but it is good.
There wounds and there is a wound , the God we serve is the God that uses hot water to heal wounds .
The Bible says that by His blood , you were healed and thus God uses wounds to heal wounds .
Always look at the intention of your wound. In John 6:51-59; the disciples ask for bread from Jesus and he tells them that “I will give you my fresh bread and my blood as wine ” and they were confused. Then Jesus proceeds to tell them that if they do not drink on my blood and eat my flesh you shall die .
Pastor Emmanuel reminds us of Job for he went through all bad things but never cursed God , Job said “Even if He slays me I will continue to trust God ”. No matter what we go through, crying, hunger, betrayal etc we should not distrust God . For He is our only God .
Reference Scriptures
Exodus 3:7-10: 7 And the Lord said: “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. 8 So I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that 4 land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites and the Hittites and the Amorites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites. 9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel has come to Me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.”
Isaiah 19:20: 20 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Saviour and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.
The week of “The anointing heals and breaks the yoke”
The power of the Anointing brings healing to those whose hearts are broken, soothing their pain and bringing comfort. Through this divine touch, emotional wounds are tended to, restoring hope and wholeness to those who have suffered. It is a sacred balm that brings solace and renewal, lifting the burden of sorrow and replacing it with the gentle touch of divine love.
Jesus’s first mission was to preach to the poor that they are to be rich, for there is no better news to them than this. Second is to tell the prisoners that they will be free for there is no better news than that to them as well. The third was to proclaim the recovery of their sight.
There are different types of wounds/injuries:
- The wounds we receive from our close ones, relatives, friends, etc. When such people do bad to you it is really hard to heal from such wounds. This is the week where God will heal you from such yorks.
- Another wound is the one that comes from accidents or the devil for his mission is to bring chaos in people’s lives and when people don’t know about it, they stay in such a life but when the Holy Spirit comes, peace comes. When the holy spirit comes, he convinces you of the love of the Father.
- The injury that comes from oppression, especially from a person you expected favor from, there are injuries that come from losing a loved one who used to comfort you. Only God can give you comfort.
- Another injury is from the calling, Jeremiah said “God why did you disappoint me ”, God tells him that He is the only one to heal them.
All these injuries can only heal when you meet Jesus, and your heart will be at ease as we see it in Mathew 11:29-30 ”29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Serving God is a restful activity, when we serve God we receive peace and happiness.
All the things that cause bitterness usually come from within us, if we assess our behaviors the first thing that burdens the heart is sin. You find that often we get angry over unimportant things when really the only thing that should anger us is when we see the enemy keeping our beloved in sin.
Those who have a dividing heart, they do it in hiding. The angered people always have a high tone and energy but when someone is full of the holy spirit they are gentle and this is not a hereditary thing regardless of your character.
These are the characteristics of an anointed person. Joy is the behaviour of someone who is anointed and no one can steal this joy. The second is peace that does not go regardless of our daily circumstances. Another is patience, when someone commits evil towards them, they forgive them.
When some does evil to you and you do good to them, they will start wondering about you and talk about you good within others. Jesus tells us to stay joyous and this makes us triumph over turbulent times.
Pastor Jerome Muirwa urges us to have self-control in the words we tell others and if we can’t we should ask for it from the Lord because gentleness is the gift of God. He also tells us to ask for the anointing of wisdom, because it also heals the wound. For with wisdom, we know how to behave, talk, and act around others for change.
In the book of Acts 10:38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him” The bible shows us that wherever Jesus went He did good, we should also have a compassionate heart. Additionally, wherever Jesus passes, He sets the captives free. Most of our injuries come from the captivity of evil and what enabled Him to do this is that God was with Him.
God is with us as well, and He is going to walk with us to enable us.
Mark 16:20 “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it”
The man of God explains who the Messiah is. Messiah is Christ, Christ means the anointed one and we are also the anointed ones. What brought down the Messiah, is to remove all works of the devil. We should remove all the works of the devil in our families, workplace as we are also the Messiah (the anointed ones). Same way everyday when we come from the bathroom we put lotion on our bodies is the same way we should always ask from God His anointing on us daily. Because when the holy spirit comes on you everything changes, you will be surprised to see you’re healed. The Bible tells us that there is anointing that flows from the head of Aron to the end of his clothes, that’s the anointing we need. We should ask Jesus to overflow us with joy to heal every yolk , bitterness and pain.
Reference Scriptures
Isaiah 61:1-3: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 10:27: It shall come to pass in that day That his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, And his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil.
Other Highlights
AFRIKA HAGURUKA AND THE SILVER JUBILEE
Did you know?
Africa Haguruka is getting its 25th edition. These are 25 rounds of the conference that changed the spiritual landscape of Africa. From Cairo to Cape Town, God has restored and restituted our land. God has heard our cries, healed our wounds, mended our hearts, delivered us from poverty and gave us His salvation. We have witnessed that in Africa Haguruka. The official launch occurred in the last week of April and the whole body of Christ is running to celebrate Jesus, the patriarch of the African Continent louder and bigger than ever before.
Not only that, we are also celebrating twenty five years of impact, of power, of the truth of Jesus Christ and the spread of the authentic word of God. The Authentic Word Ministries will complete its first 25 years in action across the world. This year it is all about celebration, breaking boundaries and shooting even further as we move from glory to glory. To you as well, this year will be your silver jubilee and your year to celebrate milestones!
30TH Anniversary of commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994
This month of April was also characterized by the commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi. As believers and ambassadors of Christ, it was a golden opportunity for the body of Christ to share love, the comfort of Jesus, and the hope of the future. We had the time to pray for survivors, deal with emotional and mental wounds, and cast all those burdens unto Jesus who is able to deliver and completely heal us.
The Authentic Word ministries continue to comfort those who lost their loved ones in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and pledge to commit to spreading and practicing unity, hope, and healing through our Lord Jesus Christ for a brighter and better future.
A warm welcome to the month of “Family Recovery”
Welcome to the next phase of a complete and divine recovery. We are entering into a season of family recovery. As our man of God, Apostle Gitwaza has emphasised and the Word of God agrees that family is the foundation of revival and Godly life. Therefore, God is providing a time to heal us through our families, restore us through our families, save our families and change them to be altars of God. After an individual and personal recovery, it is time to fix our families.