What Lies Beneath the Pain

By El’za Omerhi

Even after all the pain that a person goes through, there is still hope. A lot of famous people have been formed through adversity in life.

This book helps to uncover that which lies beneath the pain. It is concise and straight to the point an easy read that provides solutions based on the Word of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490816722

El’za Omerhi

As a woman, El'za Omerhi knows firsthand some of the issues that women face. Not only has she personally experienced some of the situations written about in this book, but also in her everyday life and as a minster and women’s leader in her church she has encountered women who have experienced similar situations. El'za has been an ordained minister for almost ten years and has been serving in the position of women’s leader in her church for three years. As a Bible scholar she knows that the solutions for life’s issues can be found in the Word of God, and in this book she presents some of these solutions from the Bible. El'za loves to bring encouragement to the hurting and has a passion for purpose, women, children, and families. She writes a blog that brings encouragement to people, and she also loves singing and ministering to people. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband and daughter.

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Copyright © 2009, 2013 El’za Omerhi.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-1671-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-1672-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013921406

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/23/2013

I give all glory to God, and I thank the Holy Spirit for inspiring me, and Jesus for giving all to make all possible.

This book is dedicated to my partner and loving husband, Dafe Omerhi, who has always encouraged me and believed in me and who has helped me every step of the way with this book; to my daughter Joy, who has brought me exactly that (sorry for taking so much of our playtime); to my parents, Pastor and Mrs. Ifie, who have been so supportive; to my siblings, and to the rest of my family and friends.

Thanks, everyone.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1:   The Sorrows of Motherhood

Chapter 2:   Desolation

Chapter 3:   Society and Traditions

Chapter 4:   Widowhood

Chapter 5:   The Disappointment of Delay

Chapter 6:   Women with Issues of Infirmity

Chapter 7:   Unhappily Ever After

Chapter 8:   Unquenchable Thirst

Chapter 9:   There Is Hope for the Hopeless

About the Author

Introduction

This book was inspired by the pain I have seen so many women endure. My goal is to give hope to the hurting, to show that beauty can indeed be brought forth from ashes, and purpose from pain.

Some of us produce greatness from anguish and turmoil, and some of us are led to greatness.

We may not share the trials and disappointments of others, but we can identify with their pain in one way or another. We have encountered unmarried or divorced women, single mothers, women whose fathers or mothers have deserted them, women who have been raped or molested, or women with troubled children.

How do we find purpose in our pain or fulfillment in our despair?

Some of us (both men and women) live like people with multiple personalities. We know there is a sovereign God, and we can quote Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, which says, ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ We know the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation, we sing praises to the Lord, and some of us are even laborers in His vineyard, but we no longer trust in Him. We remain with God only because we have no other option, and some of us do not know who this God is.

When we are alone, we feel depressed and we question Him in our hearts, asking why He has failed us. We do not understand why a great God who is supposed to be so loving would let us suffer. We go through the motions, or we ride a roller coaster, experiencing a high one minute and falling into despair the next.

We are weighed down by our problems, and they cause us pain, anxiety, anger, and disappointment, making us bitter toward life and even toward God. We get stuck in a rut and find it impossible to get past our hurt and shame.

Women always end up with the short end of the stick and are at a disadvantage with men. Women are far more likely to be raped or molested. They are more likely to be the victims of cheating and to suffer the pain of unfaithfulness; when a relationship ends, men find it easier to move on, while women frequently cling to the past. When a spouse dies, men often remarry within a short time, while women remain widows. Many of the women in the Bible are not named but are described by their situations. I will look at these women, how they handled tough situations, and how their lives relate to ours. I will show how their stories provide a road map to get past painful events.

This book is not about the feminist cause but about freeing women from every bond. People say that the issues women dealt with in biblical times differ from those we face today and that the Bible is no longer relevant. But Scripture tells us that there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9 NIV). I will examine women’s struggles today, compare them with situations in the Bible, and present solutions to these problems. Be blessed as you read this book! My prayer is that whatever pain you may be experiencing, you will emerge with your head held high.

CHAPTER

1

The Sorrows of Motherhood

Unto the woman He said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.

—Genesis 3:16 KJV

Genesis 3:16 notes the sorrows of motherhood that women suffered after the fall. In