A long time ago a door to ministry slammed in my face. What had looked like a blessed pathway to a dream and calling fulfilled turned into heartbreak.
But God’s timing was perfect as it always is, and just as those doors shut, Mike got a new job that required moving which lent the opportunity for new starts and fresh dreams.
I grieved.
Some of you know my story, some of you don’t. If you read A Mary Like Me: Flawed Yet Called, you know that shortly before the devastating rejection, God gave me the idea for a book. That vision led me to this path of ministry as a writer and blogger, speaker and teacher. Life jogged along as life does. It rarely waits for our hearts to heal first, and many times the healing happens as life goes on little by little.
God Heals Our Hurts Slowly
It’s been ten years since this heartbreak. My children have grown up and left home. I not only wrote one book but two (which is just like God to give us a double portion blessing for our faithfulness.) And I am a virtual minister of sorts writing a sermon every week giving my flock food for their soul with the Bite of Bread reading plan.
I thought I was healed.
But today.
Today God spoke through an unsuspecting pastor who had no idea of the wound inside. His teaching brought clarity, validity, and acceptance. You’re probably wondering what in the world all of this is about, but I don’t want to lose the main point of this article with the details of my wound. I just want to tell you, “Our God is faithful.”
Even if its been ten or twenty years since the wound you carry was inflicted, He is faithful. He will bring healing. He will restore. In His time.
God is Faithful
Joel 2:22-26
Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before.
24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain;
the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
the great locust and the young locust,
the other locusts and the locust swarm[a]—
my great army that I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
2
No More Shame
Is the wound inside you one of shame and condemnation? Mine was. Remember, “There is no condemnation for those is Christ Jesus.” If someone makes you feel condemned or shamed, it’s not from God. When we’re judged, it’s not from God. He no longer judges us when we’re in Christ. I like this explanation of what being “in Christ” means.
Got Questions.org.
To enter the presence of a holy God, we must be hidden in the righteousness of Christ. To be “in Christ” means that God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of His own Son (Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 8:12). Only “in Christ” is our sin debt cancelled, our relationship with God restored, and our eternity secured (John 3:16-18, 20:31).
Healing our Hurts Everyday
How does he heal our hurts? He heals them through our worship, humility, our trust, and His Word both spoken and read and the Holy Spirit.
Hannah Goodwyn, CBN.com
When we allow God to work in our souls, we give Him the access He needs to clean out what the locust (the invading enemy of our souls – sin) destroyed and build up what the Spirit delivers. The Holy Spirit, in effect, redeems what was lost by working through our lives.
The elder of my church spoke words of healing for me today as he explained a gift of the Holy Spirit and a difficult verse in the Bible. When I got home and began writing this post, God led me to scripture that furthered the healing, sealing what had been done, confirming what was taught.
Bite of Bread Bible Reading Plan
He heals us with His Word. Take some time every morning this week to dig deep into these scriptures on God’s faithfulness as you trust He has healing waiting for you one day too.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations…
Prompt: Underline what kind of God He is, what He does, and how long He does it. The number “1000” is symbolic. It means “immensity”, “fullness of quantity”, or “multitude” according to scripturesrevealed.com. What does all of this tell you about God’s faithfulness?
2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Prompt: I love this verse. Jesus can’t deny who He is. He can’t be anything but faithful. Hallelujah! If you have a wounded heart, journal about that wound and write these words: “Jesus, you are faithful. I know one day you will heal this hurt. I give it to you. Thank you for being my faithful King.”
Printable with the Verse and Prompts
Psalm 33:4 For the Word of the Lord is upright, And all His work is done in faithfulness.
Prompt: The Hebrew word for “Faithfulness” is Emunah. This word means firmness, stability, steady, truly, and truth. All His work is done steadily. God does not stop working. He is consistent. He does not wake up one day and say, “I don’t feel like helping my children today.” Even when it doesn’t seem like He’s working, He is. Read the verse again and write what Holy Spirit is telling you.
Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart
Prompt: I had to look up “rampart.” It’s a wall of a castle or walled city. I love that. God’s not only out shield, but His wall of protection encircles us. But another really important term in this verse is “find refuge.” The words “find refuge” have been translated from the Hebrew word Hasah. Notice the different meanings: to flee (for protection), seek refuge; to trust in, confide in, hope in…is often used in the figurative sense of seeking spiritual refuge and putting trust in God. (Key-Word, NIV 1517) How do we “find refuge?” Only when we put ourselves under his wings, right next to His heart, smack dab in the center of His walls. Those places are places of trust. What do you need to trust God with today? If you want to read more about this I’ve written it in the article How Do We Hide Under God’s Wings?
Numbers 23:19 God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
Prompt: Breathe in this verse. We always put human flesh and ways on God, but He’s not like us! Hallelujah! What implications does this truth have on your hurt place today? Ask Him to guide you to a promise from His Word today and write it down, date it, and believe the Lord will fulfill His promise to you.
Help During Your Quiet Time
Lamentations 3:22-23 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Prompt: Aren’t we thankful He starts fresh with us everyday? Go watch the sunrise and worship today. Thank Him for His faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Prompt: We are never alone. Write down glimpses of God’s presence today.
Meet with Us!
If you aren’t doing anything Wednesday night, why don’t you come on over to my house via Facebook for a Live Bible study! I’ll start teaching around 7:30 ET. Slip on your comfy pants, pour some decaf, gather your Bible and journal, and let’s dig into Psalm 91. Just follow me on Facebook if we aren’t friends already or subscribe to my YouTube channel to be notified when it’s posted.
Can I pray for you? Wounded places hurt. We often bury them deep, but God wants to heal your hurts. He is faithful. Let’s pray; grab by hands.
“Lord, thank you for never leaving us or forsaking us. You know our wounds. You have the scars to prove it. We surrender to you and trust your timing for our complete healing, and we proclaim that you will use this wound for something good! Thank you Jesus. Amen!”
Jesus loves you my friends! See you Wednesday night!
Digging Deep,
Andy Lee
Such an inspiring & hopeful word!
Thanks Sandy! Thank you for always encouraging me with your kind comments!