The evil one is after our kids today! More young people are struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, addiction, and identity issues than ever before. Jodi Howe, a recent guest as part of the Sacred Scar Story Series on Your Hope Filled Perspective podcast shared about her painful wounds when her daughter presented with transgender issues. In that episode, Jodi shared how this wounded her mother heart, but she also shared how God has seen her through this situation and brought beautiful sacred scars in its place (How to Navigate Gender Identity Issues with Faith and Love – Episode 289). What Jodi has learned is Nothing Surprises God!

Nothing Surprises God!
By Jodi Howe

In today’s world, where confusion, chaos, and conflict seem to be the order of the day, it truly brings me peace to know that nothing surprises God. Even amidst the turmoil, I find solace in this truth.

Life is undoubtedly a daily struggle. As I scroll through social media, I often find myself shaking my head in disbelief. What is happening in society? How is it possible that girls want to be boys, and boys want to be girls? And to add insult to injury, the world is allowing it.

Nothing Surprises God

Society is physically, scientifically, and medically changing the minds and bodies of a very confused culture. The easy answer for many is to just let people be who they want to be. Unfortunately, that mindset has led to the medical field labeling this as gender dysphoria—a state of feeling unwell and unhappy—where individuals believe they will be happier in a different gender.

The intent behind this approach is to prevent these individuals from taking drastic measures to ease their minds, potentially ending their lives. However, this has led to a fundamental shift in the medical field’s approach to treatment.

The Hippocratic Oath, once a sacred promise, has been replaced by a New Age approach to medicine. The original oath states:

“By all that I hold highest, I promise my patients competence, integrity, candor, personal commitment to their best interest, compassion, and absolute discretion, and confidentiality within the law.”

Now, the medical field has adopted a stance of, “let them be who they think they can be,” aiding individuals in changing their bodies, hormones, and identities to align with their emotions.

The medical field was once revered as the experts in biology and science, the educated men and women who could save humanity from any failing illness, whether physical or mental. But over the last decade, they decided to change their minds. Biology is no longer factual or concrete. Gender is now non-binary. It is a choice. Regardless of what the doctor tells you when you give birth to a child, there is now wiggle room in science, and uncertainty prevails. 1+1 does = 2, but if you want it to equal 3, we can make that happen.

Those of us who lean on truth, especially Biblical truth, see this as the most irresponsible response to a very convoluted agenda. Moreover, this lack of medical discernment causes much strife for the child and young adults struggling with their identity, as it does for the parents and loved ones walking alongside them.

But God knew this was coming. And nothing surprises Him.

I don’t speak into this from a position of opinion. This is a personal family struggle that I know all too well. I have a daughter who has made a choice to transition to a male. This journey has often brought me through the many valleys of the shadows of death. But I can honestly say at this point in my life, I am speaking from my scar and not a wound, with a deeper understanding of the broken world!

Jesus had taught me to shift my perspective towards a Godly purview. Showing me how to apply an Agape love towards my daughter and all who struggle with this. Jesus has also assured me I don’t have to compromise my beliefs in doing so.

As I obediently surrendered this to him, God has encouraged me to speak into the lives of those less informed, to not only glorify Him, but to show the world that it’s not what happens to us in life—it’s how we allow Him to handle it.

Do Not Conform to the Pattern of This World

I often meditate on Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (NIV)

This is a powerful warning from God. He knew we would have instincts to want to conform to what the world says and does. He knew our minds would be tender and vulnerable. He gave us a book to learn about how to help our minds operate sanely and peacefully.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we know that His will is always good, pleasing, and perfect. His worldview is sustainable. The secular worldview is not!

This gender dysphoria craze is a proponent of worldly ideology. This warning from God was as necessary 2000 years ago as it is today. When we align with the world, it can be destructive. When we lean on the world’s thinking rather than God’s, it lacks peace. When we trust in the ways of society and not the powerful truth of God’s word, we become a chaotic and confused state of mind. His word tells us he is not the God of confusion.

 

 

God is Bigger

But alongside Romans 12:2, I have found such solace in the following scriptures that Paul taught the church of Corinth:

“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NIV)

I don’t disregard that this is not only a thorn in my flesh, but also a thorn in my daughter’s as well. She had hoped this would be a source of her happiness, but it is not. And I’m not the one to change her mind. Yet although she is not a believer, I know God is bigger than her pride.

Although his Word does not teach us how to be happy; it does teach us abundant living. With a beautiful emphasis on Joy that only comes from knowing Jesus.

So, I will boast of this trial as one that my strength comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. And with that, I can be a stronger vessel for my child as she walks in darkness, trusting that God is doing a mighty work during this season in our lives.

My daughter and I still struggle. Yet, I will never give up on praying, believing, or trusting this circumstance will be redeemed. And in those moments when it gets to be too hard, I simply speak “Jesus, your grace is sufficient for today”! And that belief is enough to calm my spirit and renew my Hope!

How does it comfort you today that nothing surprises God? We’d love to hear in the comments below.

[If Jodi’s story, or any of the sacred scar stories, has encouraged you, consider picking up a copy of Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted]

 

In a world of shifting beliefs, Jodi Howe found peace in knowing nothing surprises God. Her daughter’s transgender journey challenged her faith, yet strengthened her trust in His unchanging truth. Share on X When life gets confusing, lean into God’s unchanging truth. Facing her daughter’s transition taught Jodi Howe that God’s grace holds steady, even when society’s views shift. #SacredScars Share on X

 

About Jodi Howe

Jodi Howe is an engaging stage performer, author, and award-winning podcaster known for her heartfelt messages and magnetic energy. She hosts “The Air That I Breathe,” podcast and released a book of the same name last year, both inspired by her passion for sharing messages of hope through the gospel of Jesus. Based in Cary, North Carolina, Jodi inspires through her writing, music, and dedication to her family.

Connect with Jodi: Website

 

 

 

Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise that Your Pain is Not Wasted

Now Available!

 

We all endure trials, pain, and hardship in this life. Too often we believe these experiences disqualify us from being useful to God. But the truth is, your past pain and brokenness serve as preparation for what God wants to do in and through you – if you will surrender to and trust him.

Just as Jesus’s scars didn’t disappear after his resurrection, our emotional or physical scars tell our story and lend credence to our testimony of God’s love and power. If you are ready to turn your past pain into present comfort and future hope, let Dr. Bengtson be your compassionate guide.

Find out more and order here: Sacred Scars