https://jeberryspeaks.wordpress.com/
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @jeberryspeaks
I’m J.E. Berry. Wife, mother
of five, speaker, writer, friend, worshiper, wanderer, launderer, short order
chef and the list goes on. In order to properly introduce myself to you I have
to show you a small portion of what all of me looks like in full outer ring
circumference before we dive deep into the foggy waters and messy puddles that
fill my very God chiseled testimony. Stepping out of my comfort zone and into
trusting my Father has led me to this very page. This season of my journey
reflects the places God has brought me from and the grace of Christ that
brought me through each testimony. As a speaker and writer I am make
every effort to surrender my agenda to the Lord and allow Him to use what He
has done in my life to teach His infallible word to His people. All the while
He is teaching my heart in the same instance.
Being a wanderer at heart, my story
is a culmination of statistics, heartbreak, a fight to control, God’s
unrelenting love and His sweet and tender grace. I had done a great job in my
life trying to forget the not so fuzzy memories in my past. Even still today I
fight with the shame that tries to leach onto me when I recall some of the
horrific choices I made as a wounded wandering soul. I had gotten really good
at hiding behind my smile and strong exterior but eventually all the wounds of
my past were still wide open and bleeding profusely. All the band-aids I was
putting over them just were not sufficient.
A product of divorce and a child of
a former addict, I saw and heard a lot of things that I would never want my
children to. Things that I thought were perfectly normal until I was an adult.
Even though I had a great relationship with both my parents, it was not a
“normal” family setting. I can still recall hearing yelling in my home that
caused me to curl up in my bed and hum myself to sleep. The day my parents
split, my life changed forever. I spent most of my early adult years trying to
be in control of everything in my life so that I could be “happy”. I had the
brilliant idea that I could actually make myself happy. Being in “control” was
my way of not making the same mistakes that my parents made, while actually
making equally damaging mistakes in the process that left even bigger wounds
than I already had.
In my pea brain, I had it set in stone that I would control
my body and everything that I did. No one would tell me what to do or how to do
it. I just wanted so much to avoid being in a marriage like my parents. The
result was promiscuity, unplanned pregnancy, depression, anger and fear. All of
this masked in Sunday Christianity and a smile. There were times I wondered if
anyone knew how I really felt or if they would even care. See, I was the one
that everyone else came to for advice. I was the one who tried to hold up the
blood stained banner in my circle of friends, all while shaming it as I lived a
life buried in sin. I was a complete mess wrapped in denial.
While still in that mess, I married
the love of my life and God rescued me from my pit. It was a long walk out of
the abyss that I had dug for myself but God was faithful to finish what He began
in me. He began to show me what Joy really looks like and who is really in
control, so that I could stop trying to do a job that I wasn’t qualified to do.
Shortly after wedding, the Lord called me to write. My answer to His call came
at a snail crawl but I finally jumped over fear and ran to Him with
anticipation. However, the more I ran toward Jesus, the more the enemy chased
me with the very fear I had hurdled to be obedient.
Fear was like that last piece
of lint on a black shirt that just won’t come off. I was fighting it tooth and
nail as I attempted to be the “perfect” wife and mother. It crippled me and
made me not want to do anything let alone step out in faith toward what God
called me to do. Thank God for deliverance! God delivered me from that
crippling fear and has given me the strength and courage I need to walk out the
vision He has for me. In this season God has given me a heart to walk along
side His people as they find Joy in Him. The book I am writing is a journey
from “happiness” to God’s lasting “JOY”. In The
Truth About Happiness” readers will walk a revealing journey of their own
to dispel the lies we believe about happiness and find what real joy looks like
when we drink from the never ending well of Jesus.
The truth is that we are all
explorers, on a journey to find out who we are and where we are going. My heart
is to hold the hand of another as we walk the journey together, looking the
Father in the face.
My Life scripture:
“Rejoice always, pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ
Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Have fun trekking!
-J.E. Berry
Author Bio:
J.E. has a heart for outreach and seeing people come to know freedom through a relationship with Christ Jesus. Specifically women who have been yet to see their God given destiny because of bondage. As a writer and speaker she explores things that hinder us in moving forward in our walk with Christ. Such as people pleasing, unhappiness, unforgiveness and much more, to try and lend a hand in unveiling the culprits so that we can move forward in victory. As a musician and worship leader, she gratefully worships as the background while she encourages others to engage in a personal worship experience with Jesus.
J.E. is currently pursuing a Bachelor in Christian Education at Tyndale Theological Seminary and Biblical Institute.
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