Take Back Your Life.

“The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.” Psa. 34:18. 

Many people, when hurt, act like they are wearing a mask, telling others "everything is fine" to hide their suffering, which only increases the emotional burden. The beginning of healing is sharing your pain with a trusted friend, rather than hiding it. When faced with a life-threatening crisis, worldly concerns lose their value. The best response to deep pain is to, as a comedian once quipped, "call on God," rather than worldly help. Rejections, defeats, and failures that all of us have experienced can create enough negative feelings to destroy us. Be careful! Often the most painful wounds are not the scars that are outwardly seen, but the hidden wounds deep in the heart. Being hidden, they are often the most dangerous.

Setbacks in our lives can take the joy out of living. Our faith is weakened, and if we collect enough hurts it will stop us from wanting to press forward. Even success can make one the target of criticism. Do not let the hurts hurt you! Look at Job. A man of the land of Uz, blameless, upright, one who feared God, and one who turned away from evil. Job had seven sons and three daughters, a beautiful family. He was considered "the greatest of all the men of the east." He lost it all in the twinkling of an eye. He lost his health, wealth, and family. He was hurting. His wife was hurting. His friends were hurt. He was knocked down but not out. He had lost some of the passionate power to grow and some of his enthusiasm had diminished, but he checked his negative thinking and that of his wife and friends and stated, "I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my sad countenance and be cheerful." How could he after undergoing so much hurt?

How did Job do it? The same way we can do it-through faith. Faith is the only thing that can heal the hurts. It is painful! The scars would remain but his life was put back together. A strong belief in God was the medicine. His wife and his friends could not do it-only God could! Job said, "I know that you [God] can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted" (Job_42:2). Paul told the Corinthians, "...God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear...he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1Co_10:13). The Lord blessed the latter days of Job.  Job lived 140 years after the troubles and saw sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and great-great-grandsons. You can also forget your hurts, leave off your sad countenance, and be cheerful if you turn to God for your strength to do so. Selah!

FURTHER READING:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you – yes, I help you – yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!” Isa. 41:10.

“Throw your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended.” Psa. 55:22.

DECLARATION: 

Dear Abba Father, I thank You for the gift of life and the privilege of salvation. Lord, I come before You today, feeling the weight of many trials and the pain of deep hurts. Lord, You are my refuge and my strength, a present help in times of trouble. I ask that You lift me up above every obstacle, every discouragement, and every hurtful situation that tries to hold me down. Just as an eagle rises above the storm, I pray for the strength to rise higher—to soar above the noise, the spiteful actions, and the pain that has been directed at me.I ask for Your healing touch upon my heart, my mind, and my spirit. Where I have been deeply hurt, bring comfort; where there is despair, pour out Your hope in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

Ezra. 7:1-28.

Ezra. 8:1-36.

Ezra. 9:1-15.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:

“Don't Let Your Pain Break You, They Are Meant To Make You, If You Learn The Right Lessons.”