We all have a story to tell. A
story that brings back painful memories, memories we’d rather leave behind.
We've all been through something
we never ever imagined we’d go through. Things that have left us broken, lost,
wondering if anything in life really has meaning. Some of us have been put
through things that have left us wounded, hurt, confused. Things that took our
innocence away. Some of us chose those things for we didn't know better. Or
maybe we did, but we ignored our conscience… We all have reasons for the
choices we've made.
We've all lost something or
someone who meant a whole lot to us. And in that moment we've been left
hopeless, broken-hearted, angry and bitter because we didn't know why we had to
lose them and go through such pain. Some of us still don’t have the answer to
the question why. So we let it get us down and lead us down a path that no one
should have to walk. One of bitterness, depressions, resentment and self-destruction.
That is not the way to live this life, yet we find ourselves there.
We've all been at the point where
we feel like the only way we’ll see tomorrow is through a miracle. Some of us
have almost lost their lives and some have almost taken theirs. Desperation and
hopelessness can make one do things that they've never dreamed of.
Our stories can be painful and
sometimes we only learn to live with the pain, not heal from it. And when we
live with it, we still feel it and at times we just don’t want to deal with it.
Sometimes we’re still bitter and it shows no matter how hard we try to hide it.
Some of us have stories that go
from bad to worse. Just when we think it’s over, we realize that it’s only
beginning. Nightmarish describes it best.
We all cry at some point in our
lives and sometimes all we ever seem to do behind closed doors is cry. Forget
what the rest of the world sees. That’s a façade. It’s easier to let the world
think that we’re happy than for it to see us in the deep mess or hell that is
our life. “They won’t understand, they won’t help, they have their own issues
they don’t need mine.” That’s what we tell ourselves and sometimes it’s true.
But sometimes we do reach out and all we get is judgment, abandonment, pity….. All
the things we don’t want or need. So why reach out? Why not just die with our
problems?
I have a story a story that
brings back painful memories, a story that no one really knows, a story that
only God knows from beginning to end. All I've written down, I've gone through
in one way or another and I know exactly what it’s like to be desperate, hopeless
and to never want to see another day.
But, in that hopelessness I found
something priceless, something I’ve never experienced before. I found love,
joy, peace and hope. Unconditional love that is, not just a word thrown around
with ulterior motives.
I found God! I say that because
He was there all the time waiting for me to notice. And when I did, I realized
that I didn’t have to live with the pain, but heal from it. And it’s Him who’ll
heal me. Only Him. His healing isn’t always immediate. It takes time sometimes.
Other times it depends on how soon you surrender the hurt and pain to Him. How
much you want to let it go. How willing you are to forgive and start to heal.
His yoke is easy and His burden light (Mat
11:28-30), yes it is. I know it for a fact. But like I said, the healing
isn't always immediate.
So in such moments we need to
remember this one thing. It’s not going to last forever.
2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we
do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are
being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving
for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not
on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary and
what is unseen is eternal. Selah
I've come to learn that there is
no pain or hurt or mistake or ANYTHING too big for God to take care of or take
away. He gives the kind of peace that no one else gives. He brings the kind of
joy that no man/woman/job can give. He deals with our problems waaaaay better
than we do. Turning to alcohol or drugs, binging or shopping, sex or porn or
however else we deal with our stresses….. That’s not His way!!
He is LOVE!! It’s only fitting
that He handle our baggage in a way that mirrors that love. Not in a way that
leaves us with hangovers or regrets or emptiness. He can handle ANYTHING you've
done or what someone else has done to you. He can handle any sickness, disease,
addictions… He can handle it ALL. He can handle you and all your crazy and by
the time He’s done with you, all your crazy will be gone. It’s a process. One
only you can begin, by taking a leap of faith. One that requires perseverance
to the very end.
We ALL have painful stories, some
too hard to bear. But with Christ you can heal and be made whole. Just because
your life has been full of pain doesn't mean it should end with pain. He gives
peace to our weary souls. There’s hope. I know there’s hope because it’s been
shown to me. Jesus loves you just as you are, with all your issues, pain,
despair… there’ll never be anything that can separate you from His love. (Romans 8:35-39) NOTHING!!
35 Who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness
or danger or sword?
37 No, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that
neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
So now I lay my head to rest,
grateful for the words He’s given me. Praying that someone will read this and
choose to let go of their pain. When God dries your tears, you’ll only get
stronger.
