Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals
Wednesday July 1 2026
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Psalm 147:3-He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
Over the years, I have worked with friends and loved ones who have struggled with profound issues of identity and personhood. Many of them have come to believe that they are actually women that are somehow trapped in male bodies, or men that are somehow trapped in female bodies. Some have even gone to the extreme of undergoing hormone therapies and surgical procedures to drastically alter their bodies (sometimes irreparably).
How do we as Christians minister to those who are considering such treatments?
Or, how do we encourage those who have undergone such?
As with everything, we start with the truth of God’s Word. The Son of God Himself sets the standard God had in creating the universe.
Mark 10:6-But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE.’
Second, we can encourage our loved ones to seek professional counseling. I do not understand what a person is going through who believes that they are somehow the “wrong” gender. Personally, I believe that there may be serious underlying mental or emotional issues at play. But that’s the point: I don’t understand that particular struggle. So encourage your loved one to speak with a Christian specialist or therapist. Thankfully, there are many who have such discernment and gifts that may be able to counsel them in ways that others cannot.
Third, share with your loved one that many of the individuals who have undergone such treatments have ended up much worse afterwards than before. Walt Heyer documents the heartbreaking accounts of several individuals who underwent such radical interventions.
Each gut-wrenching story in this book represents testimonial proof that too many gender therapists are failing miserably to prevent sex change regret. The stories showcase the recklessness of gender therapists in quickly diagnosing gender dysphoria, refusing to diagnose and treat the deeper underlying comorbid disorders, and rushing patients to transition. Regrettable outcomes are the direct result. Unless the transgender health medical associations acknowledge the failures and change the treatment protocols, many more distressed people will be caught up in inappropriate and unnecessary cross-gender hormone therapies and surgeries, which will result in more regrettable outcomes, including suicide. Real people with real stories filled with pain and consequences are a chilling reminder of the madness of changing genders and the hell that awaits those who live the trans life. Even transgender activist Kyle Scanlon sadly committed suicide and the Hollywood personality Alexis Arquette, after living the transgender life, called changing genders “bull____.” If you are struggling with living life in the trans world, please understand you can reclaim your lost life; the door is open for you. Your story can be an inspiration for others, too. Join me and the growing chorus of survivors who detransitioned and now sing, “No more trans life for me.” One last email from October 4, 2018, from Laura, former female-to-male, shows why my work is important. Hi, Walt, I’m sure you don’t remember my email, but I emailed you about two years ago shortly after I had left the transgender lifestyle to follow Christ… Over the last two years God has peeled away the layers of the onion and I have now come to understand the point you have been making for so long, that these alternate identities are the result of trauma… I just wanted you to know that. Maybe to encourage you that even if people say you are wrong, maybe they just don’t see it yet. I wasn’t ready to face it all then. It took time, but God is faithful, and He has healed the pain of my past… Thank you for your courage, you are my hero, but I recognize it is Jesus Christ. But still, thank you for speaking out and standing alone for so long. You paved the way for many more coming behind you. There is a revival among transgenders beginning. May the Lord bless you richly. Laura P. (Walt Heyer, Trans Life Survivors, 163-164 (Kindle Edition): Independently Published; vulgarity edited, M.T.)
Fourth, love your friend unconditionally. Let them know that whatever choices they make, you will love them, even if you do not agree with their decisions. It is by love that we are to be known (John 13:34-35). Loving our friends, family members, and neighbors does not mean that we have to support everything that they do.
1 Corinthians 13:6-Love…does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
Fifth, remind them of the love of the Godhead. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, love each of us deeply, more than we can think or imagine (John 3:16; Romans 15:30; Galatians 2:20). Thanks to Jesus, there is hope for anyone and everyone (Matthew 11:28-30). We must never forget this Good News, and we must always remind others continually of it also (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)!
Sixth, pray for your loved ones. Prayer is powerful and should never be underestimated (cf. 1 Peter 5:6-7; Revelation 8:1-6).
Seventh, keep the lines of communication open. Let your loved ones know that you love hem and are eager to listen and talk. Who knows what difference listening carefully and providing an encouraging word may make (Proverbs 25:11-12; 16:24; Ephesians 4:29; 2 Timothy 2:24-26)? Sometimes even a gentle word of reproof spoken in love can make a powerful difference (Proverbs 9:8-9; 15:1, 31-32; 19:25; 27:5-6; Ephesians 4:15).
Eighth, lean on your church family. Let them be there to encourage you and lift you up, as well as your loved one (Hebrews 10:24-25; Galatians 6:1-2). Turn to them for counsel, support, and help for you and your loved one. You do not have to fight the battles alone.
What other suggestions do you have to try and help those who struggle with gender identity issues?
Lord, thank You for Your Word that guides us in this life of confusion and darkness. Teach us and lead us. Help our loved ones who struggle with issues of gender confusion. We love them, and ask You to intervene in their hearts and lives and gently lead them to You. In Your Name we pray, Amen.