Pain Brings Healing

Pain doesn't discriminate; it comes to all who live and breathe.  No one will escape pain upon this earth, even our precious Savior suffered.  The nailed hands of Jesus don't only prove He understands our scars, He paid for our healing.  No matter how deep the scar; He can heal the soul.  As the painful memories surface, we can feel the pain re-surface or seem it's intensified to blind our faith.  The pain is so present, real, and overwhelming to our mind, it can causes us to question if God is present.  "Where is God?" Do I even matter to Him?" "Or  anyone?"  "Does God even know my name?"   If we are not careful, our feelings can control our lives.  It's not wrong to express the anger, frustration, or sorrow before God.  All of our feelings need to be worked through, so we can be made whole.  The book of Psalms truly reveals the heart of the writer, so it reveals the raw emotions we all experience in life.  Whether afraid, angry, burdened, or uncertain the writer expresses their honest heartfelt emotions to God.  The Psalmist was completely honest before God, he withheld nothing.  

In Psalm 13, David expresses the anguish of his heart, he was weary of the affliction. He felt forgotten (v 1); abandoned by God (v 1); Ignored (v 1); wrestled with thoughts (v 2); sorrow (v 2); and defeated (v 2, 4)   

All of David's feelings arose due to the feeling afflicted by King Saul who was savagely pursing his life.  Saul's jealousy for David caused a lengthy persecution lasting about eight or nine years (1 Samuel 27:1)  David openly expresses his emotions, the torment, and desire for relief from the hand of Saul to God.  He was weary from the length battle but God never left his side.  Besides David expressing his emotions, he expressed his faith to God.  He expressed his faith by turning to God (v 1); hope for restoration (v 3); trust in His unfailing love (v 5); rejoice at His rescue (v 3) called out to God (v 3); praised Him (v 6)

Trials have no set time period but they do have an expiration date.  Our pain doesn't have to keep us down, we can overcome it.  We can trust in God's unfailing love; He will hold us, mend us, and complete us.  We don't have to ignore the pain; we can express it.  It doesn't mean we are weak; it means we are human.  Our Savior understands our sorrow, our temptations, and intercedes in our behalf.  "Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers from them ALL." Psalm 34:19

All season of our lives have value; a valuable purpose under Heaven.  Our character is sharpened, our faith renewed, and watching the majesty of God to bring good out of it.  When the pain seems dark; hold unto the light.  "You intended to harm me, but GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)

Lonesome Avenue

     Regardless of how far I fall, I can’t hide from God’s love.   It still lures me in; I can’t escape its drawing.  Sometimes, I wonder if God is done with me, I have fallen in the pit again.  The pit of sin is so dark, deep, and alone.   It seems the longer I sit, the longer I have to hear my enemy whisper lies of condemnation.  “Why don’t you give up?”  “God will not listen to you anyone, you are a failure.”  Lies don’t hold any power unless we believe them, although their deception can hold us.  Well, it can’t keep us if we accept the truth of God’s Word.  All of Satan’s lies unravel the moment we believe, accept, and walk in the truth.  God doesn’t give up on us, He does believe in us. 

        A friend of mine said, "Faith is man believing in God, Grace is God believing in man."   As I got ready for work this morning, I felt the nudging of the Spirit calling me to come.  I desired to be with Him but I felt so unworthy to approach Him.  Have you ever been there?   Guilt has the ability to point us one way down Lonesome Avenue.  On Lonesome Avenue, there are no lights or direction to guide expect into darkness.  It brings us to isolation from finding hope, shelter, and peace.  As each lie cords around our heart, fear enters our lives to cause us to be paralyzed.  We can’t move or think until God speaks.  “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105  Love holds no boundaries, it lights the way to bring healing.  As the morning rose, so did my heart because God spoke to me.  All throughout the morning, God prompted me to read Psalm 34.  As I read it, the promises of God were profound, uplifting, and perfect. 

     Psalm 34:4-5 says, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”  As I continued to read, I couldn’t help but cry out for gratitude of God’s faithfulness.  The Lord is aware of our struggles, our troubles, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  What’s so beautiful about God’s Word, it cuts right to the heart.  If we are really willing to allow the Spirit to open us, we will be restored.  Why do we hold unto the pain? I don’t understand why I hold onto my mistakes, it’s easier to hold God’s hand.  We will guide us to the path of righteousness for His namesake.  (Psalm 23:3)  As we walk we God, we learn who He is.  As the psalmist said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8

    
     If we are willing to listen to the Spirit speak, we will get off Lonesome Ave and enter our Shalom.  Shalom means peace in the Hebrew Language. Our Shalom (Jesus) is our only refuge.  He is the only One who can redeem us, shelter us, and remove all of the condemnation.  Condemnation can’t enter a heart at peace with God, they are blessed.  Blessed is the man whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.  “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2)

     Sin will always separate us from the peace and fellowship with God, but never from the love of God.  Well, I admit today I am done traveling down this lonesome road.  As I went to prayer, I felt at home.  No matter what, I can’t run from the place I belong.  I belong with God.  So, are you feeling guilty or alone?  You don’t have to listen to the lies anymore, come to Jesus.  He is only calling you, so you can come home.