Alone Together

8 billion broken people, 1 Master Healer.

Even though we are all broken differently in 8 billion creative ways, most would agree that pain is a natural part of the universal human experience. Just think about the genres of entertainment we have; mystery, romance, action, coming of age stories? All of these have a driving plot surrounding the natural pain exprience.

And yet, we feel so alone, so isolated. Like we are the only people in the world who are going through the motions of life, the only ones carrying scars and bruises from living too hard.

Another universal human experience: isolation. The irony.

But this isn't the truth. In fact, this feeling comes straight from the Father of Lies. Satan wants us to feel isolated, because when we are isolated, we are at our weakest. And when we are weak, we cannot do God's will and work.

The truth! We all feel alone together! Even if we don't know it. That is why it is so incredibly important that we share our testimonies with eachother. As King Solomon said thousands of years ago,

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiates 4:12).

We have hope in the promise of healing from our Father, the master creator and deisgner. Who better? This miraculous recovery may not come in this life, but it is guarenteed in eternity for those who love God. (Revelation 21)

The Baton had been passed, the Race continues.

This sharing of testimonies is exactly why Platform for Pain was born. In 2018, Platform of Pain was founded by my dear friend and mentor Ellie Cunningham. Ellie suffered cruelties at the hands of the world that keep many of us in that isolated state. For a while, Ellie was there too, holding on so hard to her hurts and putting up walls so high that she shut the Healer out with the world.

But as her healing journey began, God impressed it upon her broken heart that her story was one to be shared. He commanded and she obeyed. And I'm so glad she did. Ellie used her experiences with both pain and healing as a point of contact in her community, a platform to reach out and encourage others in the name of Christ. And I was one who was greatly encouraged.

Even as she used it to serve others, Ellie’s platform of pain allowed her to dive deep into her relationship with herself and her Savior and to express the emotions new and old that she found in the healing process. And by opening up her hurts to the people around her, Ellie found herself open to experience an even deeper healing from God.

If we hold on too hard to pain, we harden our hearts to healing.

Over the past six years since Platform of Pain began, Ellie has come to a place of blessing, prosperity and peace from God that she and so many of her friends and loved ones had prayed for. She has a wonderful and kind husband who adores her and two little kiddos that look just like their Mama. Ellie and her husband, Devaughn, are both in full time ministry as Pastor and Women's Minister at her father's church.

Ellie still has her scars, and she always will. But the place God has placed her today would not have been possible if she had not allowed herself to be opened and

healed. Her scars are her trophies of battles she has won through Christ, and she continues to fight her battles under God's care today.

So, how did Platform of Pain become Platform for Pain?

In June 2023, Ellie passed along her platform to me. My name is Mercy Henriksen and I am twenty-four. Pain and I grew up together, old frenemies with lots of stories to share. But all of those stories end with Christ, with His promise of healing. The process has 

been messy and my pain isn’t past (actually it is still very present), but the promise of healing and peace in Christ is everlasting and unaffected by the suffering we experience 

in this life.

As I continue this healing journey with Christ as my guide, I hope by sharing my hurts and healings, you can find comfort and understanding in my testimony, as I found in Ellie’s. My compass will always be to first be true to God and His word as his representative and second to be an honest representative of myself. My platform is a place where my pain and healing can speak for themselves, and they point always to the Master Healer.

Verse of the Post!

Revelation 21:3-4

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”