Saturday, December 26, 2020

There is a Wound~

There is a Wound~

There is a wound.  It isn’t a wound that was caused by you, but a choice that someone else made that has harmed you.  A wound that is open and festering at the present time. The wound will close in time. 

A scab will begin to form and periodically the one who caused the wound will rip the scab off by continued negative actions.  Sometimes you will pick at the scab yourself.  Wanting to reach out to the person(s) who harmed you is picking at the scab.  Wanting them to know how they hurt you is picking.  Reaching out to those people and giving them what for is picking.  Nothing you say to make them see is going to change the hurt, and likely won’t make things better for you.  You have the choice to pick at the scab or let it scar. 

The wound will not heal properly if you don’t care for it.  You can’t leave the wound exposed to dirt and germs.  This will cause nasty infection and more harm.  It is going to need to be cleaned out, and to do it properly, it is going to sting very much!  But… is a necessary step in proper healing.

After cleaning the wound, applying antibiotic ointment is a good idea.  It is both preventative and is soothing to the festering wound.  Once the ointment is put on the wound must be covered with clean bandages.  It may be necessary to change the bandages and retreat as the wound begins to heal.  And sometimes it may be necessary to allow others to help change the bandages and apply the ointment.  Let them.  God uses others to help us heal properly. 

There is a wound. 

Jesus had wounds.  His scars bring your healing.  “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). 

The antibiotic ointment is Jesus.  Applying Him to our “wounds” will start the healing process like nothing in this world.  The scar will be there always, it may even have pain associated with it at times, but when people ask you about it years from now, you can share about the healing, not the wounding.  There is so much comfort and joy in allowing God to use our pain to help others.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

Father God, thank You that You care about every detail of my hurting and healing.  Thank You that in Jesus’ suffering, You have provided my healing.  He was innocent and suffered more than I will ever come close to.  Thank You that while wounded You use others to help direct me to You.  When I pick at the scabs, remind me of the treatment that I need.  Please continue to hold my hurting heart and heal me.  Use me to help others who need the comfort You provide.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

My Defense ~

 "My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah" (Psalms 62:5‭-‬8).

All around me there is pain. People who have played significant roles in my life have betrayed and hurt me. The very people who should have been the ones who protected me and kept me safe, are the ones who threw me out like the trash. 

Thankfully, the One, the only One, the Great Shepherd calls me His own. He will protect me and be my defense. He is the only constant in life. He has never failed me. He has never left me or thrown me to the wolves. He has never hurt me. He never will. He is my defense. My refuge. I can and will trust Him. 

Thank You, God, for Your love for me and that You care for me. You hear my prayers, You see my tears, and I believe You even feel my pain. Thank You, that You don't leave me defenseless. I trust You, help me to trust You more. In Jesus' Name, Amen.