Isaiah 45:3,4 tells us, "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."
During a dark time God has given us treasures that light our way.
Treasure number one: we are created by God as emotional people.
It is not just okay to feel emotions; it is essential to feel and express emotions when we walk through a dark time. It's okay to express emotions. It's okay to cry. It's okay to huddle up with close friends. It's okay to want to holler at God.
God has wired each of us differently and uniquely.
Treasure number two: bad things happen to good people.
Why me? Well, why not me? Life is not fair. I still don't like it - but it's true. This world is broken. Sin broke the world.
Only God can provide a way.
Treasure number three. You are not alone.
We are not alone. God is with us. Brothers and Sister in Christ are with us. It's okay to let others know that we hurt.
Treasure number four. Find a few close friends to gather around you.
None of us has the emotional strength to share the details of our hurts with a large group of people. We are tempted to prepare a handout that just says, "here, this is what's happening and how I feel."
Find one or tow people who are your closet friends to support you.
Treasure number five: Let there be deep healing.
Don't hurry the process. Let God touch into the deepest caverns of our soul.
Treasure number six: There is a difference between a wound and a scar.
Wounds go away. Scar's remain. The pain, suffering, and numbness will some day leave you. For some it may be a quick process. For others it will take some time.
Do things that bring healing. Be in church, spend time in prayer and in the Bible. Don't put fun on hold! Do fun things; be with fun people. Laugh until you hurt! It will heal. The scar, however, will remain.
Treasure number seven: God still loves you. God still loves me.
What you are walking through is not a punishment from God. It has not happened because God no longer loves you. God knows our pain. He understands sorrow and mourning.
God is with you! God is with me!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I read recently a narrative from Dave Roever that really helps me keep this stuff in perspective. It's called "Remember the Scars" and is in the book we are currently giving to new guests to our church. This is the book that has the pastor's chapter in it so we have a local connection to it as well. But to get back to Dave, he says that he learned something after almost 20 years of having at least one suicidal thought each day. For those of you who don't know Dave's story, you should look him up on line and learn about him. The short story is he was horribly mutilated in Vietnam when a phosphorus grenade went off in his hand...he was horribly scarred over most of his body and literally looked like a mass of open wounds for a long time. He struggled with his scars until a sister in Christ let him know that God didn't cause his scars but that God knew He could trust Dave to use those scars for the advancement of God's kingdom and glory. Since that day (almost another 20 years) Dave has never suffered another suicidal thought...in his words, the "suicide demon" had been expelled from his life.
Our scars make us who we are, along with every other experience and the love of God in our lives. But scars can be used for good, they can be used to connect to people and build relationships. And that's what we need to do in this life, build relationships with each other and everyone else around us. That's hard in this world as people drive home, the garage door opens, and they drive in not to be seen until the next morning when the garage door opens and they drive back out. Reach out to people and they will reach back to you. Love people and they will love you. Enjoy people and they will enjoy you.
Laugh with those you come in contact with...nothing is more binding than having a good time with people you meet. And, once that bond is in place, you (and they) will not be afraid to share with you the pain and anguish (the scars) of their lives. Hold them and comfort them and uplift them.
Basically, LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE. Have I said lately how much I love our abbreviated church mission? I thank God for all He has done in my life and with my life...may I continue to serve Him all of my days and continue to find favor with Him. May God bless and keep you.
Jon
Post a Comment