Scripture
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)
Worship
"Bigger Than I Thought" by Sean Curran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAnKToimqU4
Devotional
Regardless of whether or not the coronavirus has made anyone close to us seriously sick, the reality remains that none of us are unaffected by its consequences. Not all of us will have experienced physical symptoms, but all have been affected emotionally, whether we’d like to admit it or not. There is a wounding that happens as we experience disappointments, conflict with loved ones, job losses, financial anxiety, and loneliness from being separated from our community.
We all have experienced hurt, and now we all need to experience healing.
As you read through Scripture you find story after story of pain and disappointment. God does not sugarcoat the reality of our broken world. The Bible does not offer us false hope that life will leave us injury free. In fact, Jesus tells us in John 16 (NIV) that we “will have trouble.” Our world is broken, and so at times it will produce more brokenness. But there is a reason God is called our Comforter, Redeemer, Helper, Healer, Savior, Refuge, and Friend. He is the one that is with us in the midst of the struggle and pain, and offers us redemption and restoration on the other side of it.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
When you are physically sick, it sometimes involves trips to the doctor in order for them to fully diagnose and treat the issue. This process can involve a lot of work and time, but we have to admit that the issue is worth the effort to fix, we have to take the time to schedule the appointments, we have to spend the time with the doctor explaining our symptoms and issues, and then we have to follow the doctor’s guidance on how to fully recover. We are all very experienced with this process, however, when it comes to emotional pain, our culture has learned to simply medicate rather than truly treat it. Our medication of choice is often distraction, busyness, and pleasure. The truth is that an untreated wound will continue to cause pain and problems until we are willing to step into the process of healing.
You have an invitation from God today to step into the process. He invites you to bring your hurt, disappointment, and grief. He invites you to bring your failures, your fears, and even your desperation. God does not ask you to fake strength today. He does not ask you to pretend that your experiences of the past month have been easy and painless. He is asking you to bring your cares and your hurts to him. He is asking you to draw close into his comfort, and let his love begin the process of healing today.
Guided Prayer
- Take notice of your pain. Take a few moments in silence to recognize what hurts in your heart. What memories come to your mind? What conversations? What pain? Begin to let those emotions and feelings be present with you.
- Invite the Holy Spirit into your place of pain and hurt. Share your hurts and pains with God right now. Talk to him about your disappointments. Be honest and vulnerable.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
- Receive his comfort. Let God comfort and heal your heart right now. Begin the process of healing under his care.
Go
Emotional healing is often a process that takes time. Just as you would have follow-up visits with a physical doctor, continue to follow up with God about what you’ve processed today. Let him into your heart on a daily basis, and allow him to continue the work of restoration over the coming weeks and months. Seek out his presence regularly and draw closer to his loving heart.
Resources
For more resources like this from First15, check out this free download, Peace: Finding Rest in a Stressed-Out World.
*This content has been adapted from a First15 Devotional Series by Craig Denison / First15 (View Website)
