From Abuse to Sonship. Jay's Testimony for Jesus
Have you ever wrestled with understanding God as a loving Father? Maybe your earthly father wound has cast a shadow on your perception of our Heavenly Father. Perhaps you've even felt distant from Him, questioning His love and presence in the midst of your trials. I know I have been there. That's why I was so incredibly moved and inspired by my conversation with Jay Cookingham from Strategic Fathering Ministries.
I recently had the profound privilege of interviewing Jay, and his testimony is nothing short of miraculous. His journey from unimaginable abuse to discovering his identity as a beloved son of God will absolutely rock you. Jay's story isn't just a story of survival; it's a testament to the raw, redemptive power of Jesus and the life-transforming truth of sonship.
A Childhood Defined by Darkness
Jay’s early life was steeped in darkness. Imagine growing up thinking the name of Jesus Christ was a swear word. That was Jay’s reality. Raised in an abusive home, both physically and verbally, Jay endured horrors no child should ever face. The abuse began at age seven and tragically included sexual abuse. Love was a foreign concept, replaced by constant verbal assaults that chipped away at his very sense of self-worth. He was told he was hated, unwanted, a waste of money – words that became his perceived identity.
Yet, in the midst of this storm, at the tender age of seven, Jay encountered Jesus. Invited to a kids’ crusade by a kind neighbor, Jay stepped into a church for the first time, bewildered by the happiness and genuine warmth he experienced. He heard about a Jesus who loved him, a radical concept that sparked a flicker of hope in his young heart. He even imagined meeting Jesus in the next room, eagerly anticipating the embrace of this promised love.
Jay gave his heart to Jesus that day, a pivotal moment. But as he candidly shares, his journey was far from instantly easier. The abuse intensified. This stark reality highlights a crucial truth: accepting Jesus doesn't magically erase our trials, but it does equip us to walk through them with supernatural strength and unwavering hope. Even as a child, Jay understood forgiveness and God’s acceptance, even amidst his confusion and pain. This childlike faith became the anchor in his turbulent sea.
Drifting and Despair: Hearing God's "No"
As Jay entered his teenage years, the weight of the ongoing abuse and unanswered questions led him to drift from God. Projecting his earthly father’s abusive image onto God, he saw Him as distant, even mean – a God who allowed his suffering. At just twelve years old, he turned to alcohol, then drugs at thirteen. This became his escape, a desperate attempt to numb the unbearable pain.
The verbal abuse was relentless, eroding his spirit. He recounts, "For years I thought my name was you worthless piece of fill in the blank." The constant barrage of negativity took its toll, driving him to a breaking point. At 17, consumed by despair, Jay made a suicide tape and ventured into the woods with a hunting knife, intending to end his life.
This is where the supernatural intervention of God breaks through in a powerful way. Standing on a rock, knife to his wrist, ready to bleed out in isolation, Jay heard a voice – an audible voice. Twice, clear as day, the word echoed: “No. No.” In the silence of the woods, miles from anyone, it was undeniably God speaking.
Jay was shaken to his core. He couldn’t deny what he heard. He abandoned his suicide plan, rattled and profoundly impacted. But even this direct encounter wasn't enough for a complete turnaround. Shortly after, in the same woods, lost in a haze of alcohol, Jay collapsed, feeling life slipping away. Again, the voice pierced through – “Is this the way that you wanted to end, Jay?”
This time, the question resonated deeply. "No, Father, no!" he cried out. He woke the next morning, miraculously without a hangover, and walked into church. The sermon? The Prodigal Son. Talk about a God-incidence! At 17, Jay returned to the Lord, recognizing he had been blaming God for the very pain He longed to heal.
The Miracle of Forgiveness and Stepping into Sonship
Jay’s journey took another dramatic turn when, home from college, he was ambushed by his father’s physical and verbal attack. At the top of the stairs, his father’s vile accusations reached a new low, sparking a rage in Jay that he had never experienced before. He turned, fist clenched, ready to strike back with years of pent-up fury.
But in that pivotal moment, something supernatural happened. “It was almost like I was watching myself in slow motion,” Jay recounts. His fist transformed into a pointing finger, and instead of the angry words he intended, he heard himself say, “Dad, I forgive you, and God loves you.” Words not of his own making, words divinely placed on his lips.
His father stopped. Silence. A miracle. Jay walked away, bewildered, asking God, “What just happened?” That moment of supernatural forgiveness became the turning point. It was, as Jay describes, stepping out of the prison of abuse and into the identity of a son of God. Forgiveness became the key that unlocked his chains.
Strategic Fathering Ministries: Revealing the Father's Heart
This powerful testimony fuels Jay’s ministry, Strategic Fathering Ministries. For 20 years, Jay has been dedicated to helping men understand the profound love of Father God. It began with practical outreach to children in need, evolving into a ministry focused on sonship. Jay realized that true transformation for men begins with understanding how strategically and deeply the Father loves them.
“Strategic Fathering…is all about knowing how strategically the Father loves us,” Jay explains. “If I can get men to understand how much they're loved by Father God, how much he sees them as sons, their lives start to change from that moment on.”
Jay travels, speaking to men’s groups, sharing his story and emphasizing the core message of sonship. He highlights that many Christian men, while believing in salvation, struggle to grasp the intimate relationship with God as Father. Father wounds create distance and hinder true connection. Jay’s ministry aims to bridge this gap, revealing the Father’s heart and restoring men’s identities as beloved sons.
Sonship: The Foundation of Freedom
Understanding our sonship is not just a theological concept; it’s the bedrock of vibrant Christianity. As Jay emphasizes, embracing our identity as sons of God unleashes freedom in every area of our lives. It's about recognizing the depth of God's love, a love that heals, restores, and empowers us to live out our divine purpose.
Jesus Himself modeled this intimate Father-son relationship, using the term “Abba Father,” a term of deep intimacy unheard of at the time. He revealed God not as a distant, untouchable deity, but as a loving, approachable Father who desires close relationship with His children.
Jay’s testimony and ministry powerfully underscore this truth. Healing from father wounds, understanding our sonship, and experiencing the Father's love are not optional extras in our faith journey. They are foundational. They are the keys to unlocking our true potential and walking in the fullness of who God created us to be.
Embrace Your Sonship, Embrace Freedom
Jay Cookingham’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the darkest valleys, God’s voice can break through. His journey from abuse to sonship is a testament to the transformative power of forgiveness and the unwavering love of Father God.
Are you ready to embrace your identity as a son or daughter of the Most High God? Are you ready to experience the freedom and healing that comes from truly knowing the Father’s heart?
I encourage you to watch my full interview with Jay Cookingham and delve deeper into this life-changing message. Visit StrategicFathering.net to learn more about Jay's incredible ministry.
Don't just read this story – let it ignite a fire in your own heart for deeper sonship with Father God. Share this blog post, leave a comment below, and let’s journey together into a richer, more empowered spiritual life!
Blessings,
Conrad
No comments:
Post a Comment