Healing Begins
Pain is a part of life. I read Job and I see a man who lays out his pain in unvarnished simplicity. I do not hear bitterness in his words overall. He has his moments like we all do. But he comes off as a fellow human, someone at times in my life I can identify with. Oh, we humans are so quick to analyze and arrive at conclusions about others without full understanding! Job's friends are no different. As close as we are to those dearest to us, we do not know what is in the depths of their heart. Psalm 147:3 reminds me that God, "heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." I've learned that process looks different for each of us and the time table is different as well. I've also learned that the pain and healing process can be just as awful for those closest to the suffering person who is observing all of this. All I can say is glory to God who carries us when pain is simply not to be borne. What's my point? God will take us through some incredibly difficult places to reveal ourselves to ourselves. When we are in Christ, we are a new creature, free from the dreaded tentacles of sin. I've experienced in my own heart that I believed deep down that life circumstances sometimes were too dreadful to overcome. God's power is awesome for you but I really don't think He can help me with climbing this particular mountain! How is it that God gives us more pain that should, in my human thinking, kill us but actually makes us stronger? God's purposes is to make us overcomers! Satan whispers in the ear of the vulnerable, end your life...there is no hope. The sufferer, learning that life is filled with daily choices, says I live even though I think I should stop living. That my friend is faith and God fanning those embers to make faith spread. Answered prayer. God is good all the time. Just ask Moses, Joseph, Daniel and a whole bunch of other saints who have walked this world throughout history. Josh is starting to learn that feelings and reality often conflict. What decision will I make today as to what/who to believe?
