Certain months of the year stir up emotions in people, particularly women – December, November, May, and, of course, February. February is the time of year when we see pink and red flowers in the stores, heart-shaped cakes, cookies, cards, and balloons. Chocolate-covered strawberries in the grocery store and heart-shaped jewelry are advertised, seemingly everywhere you look.
Many women look forward to February with glassy eyes, filled with love and anticipation of romance with that special guy. At the same time, others approach the pending Valentine’s Day holiday with dread, sadness, and anxiety. Which category do you fall under?
I want to introduce you to a woman in the bible you might not have heard of. Her name is Gomer. Gomer was the wife of a prophet named Hosea. Hosea rescued Gomer when she could not liberate herself. Gomer did not initiate restoration. Hosea did. Christ redeems us – not when we are healed, whole, or feel worthy, but while we are still broken.
Likewise, Scripture reminds us:
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, [still living sinfully] Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NASB 1995)
The world speaks endlessly about self-love and self-healing, urging women to look inward for self-worth, validation, and restoration. But Scripture tells a different – and far deeper story. True healing does not begin with us learning to love ourselves better. It starts with knowing we are already fully, relentlessly, and redemptively loved by Christ.
I am not downplaying the value of authentic therapy; it is a valuable resource. Understanding who you are in God’s eyes is critical! It’s not about whether or not you attend church, read your Bible, or pay your rent by selling your body to strangers. God absolutely loves you!
Few stories reveal this truth more clearly than the biblical story of a woman named Gomer, found in the Old Testament book of Hosea.
God commanded the prophet Hosea to marry Gomer, a woman whose life would be marked by a reputation of sexual promiscuity and later adultery. Gomer’s repeated betrayal was not a surprise to God; it was the point. Gomer’s infidelity became a living picture of Israel’s spiritual adultery: turning away from the One who loved them to pursue false gods, other comforts, other sources of fulfillment. God never withdrew His love.
Hosea’s response to Gomer is astonishing. When she leaves him (to go back to the life she once had), she ultimately finds herself abandoned, degraded, and likely enslaved, but Hosea does not discard her. He goes after her. He pays the price to buy her back and brings her back home as his wife.
How many times have you prayed and hoped for change, and God answered you by getting you out of that bad relationship, or separating you from people you thought were your friends?
When God brings you out of a situation, the first response is a sigh of relief, then after a while, the voices in your head begin to tell you the things you miss about the relationships you are now free of, and you get the text, you know the one – can we talk? Miss you – or perhaps no words, just a photo of a happy time together. God doesn’t just open doors, my sisters, he closes them too! When God closes the door, leave the door closed!
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!” Psalm 36:7 (NASB 1995)
There is so much waiting for you; so many blessings ready to fill your life with joy, but to receive them, you must first understand God’s love for you. He is only one prayer, one conversation, one breath away. So, this time, this February, do something different: open your heart and welcome God’s love into your life. You’ve tried so many other things and placed your trust in people who let you down, lied to you, betrayed you, hurt you, used & abused you, and more, but God’s love is different. Give your heart to Him, and He will restore all the brokenness!
His love for you is a sure thing! It’s a safe place, and He will never fail or abandon you! His – is that Special Kind of Love.
“You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble” Psalm 32:7 (NASB 1995)
I pray this has blessed you!
Prayer
Father God, I come to You just as I am.
Help me to see myself as You see me.
Help me to release the past and remove any desire to return to what you have freed me from, without looking back.
Turn my heart and attention fully toward You.
Fill the empty places with Your love, Your peace, and Your presence.
I surrender what was and embrace what You are doing now.
Amen.
