09/30/2022
Quite often we miss seeing the inward pain that people are enduring in their lives. There are those who suffer excruciating physical, mental, emotional, and yes, spiritual pain, from sources that we can’t possibly see by simply looking at them. Haven’t we met an old friend on the street, and in the exuberant joy of seeing them again taken their hand or hugged them, only to have them wince in pain and tell us they hurt somewhere, or perhaps we asked how their family was doing and witnessed tears and sadness in their eyes as they told us of a lost loved one? It is the same with spiritual pain. So how do we recognize it, and how should we react to it? We are directed to those who suffer by the merciful hand of God who sees their hearts.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Psalm 139:23-24 ESV
Unlike us, God sees into the very hearts of people. We see what is obvious, or the things that a person might reveal to us, but God sees the hidden things that are not spoken, or obvious, yet which can still change lives, behaviors, and spiritual walks with Him and Jesus. Perhaps we can’t understand why a saint we have known to be joyful and engaging, suddenly becomes sullen, and withdrawn. Our Father sees why; maybe He sees a terrible lie they told that is haunting them, and which has distanced them from Him, He knows the hurt this separation is causing them, and places us in a perfect situation where we can take their hand, and after they wince in pain they are able to pour out their hidden hurt… the Lord uses us to help them through it, and back into His arms. God placed Jesus in such situations too. I like the story of the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus was led to meet her there and proceeded to tell her about her life…
“Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.””
John 4:16-18 ESV
This woman’s lifestyle would have made those in her village look down on her, but Jesus told her of the living water He offered that could change her, and then healed the hurt of that sordid past. This change in her allowed Him to reach many souls there.
“So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.”
John 4:28-29, 39-40 ESV
People suffer hurt, but it isn’t always apparent to us. We see sadness and have no idea what pain has caused them to feel this way, we see others going about their everyday business, and haven’t an inkling as to the spiritual suffering they are going through deep inside. Yet, at the right moment, the Lord will lead us to not only understand their pain, but to help them overcome its cause. Are we prepared to help those who are hurting today? Are we courageous and kind enough to listen, and then to act? If we are dealing with pain in our own lives, will we recognize the person that God has sent to heal us?
Prayer:
Thank you Father for opening our eyes to those who suffer around us, and leading us to them so that we might become a salve for their hurting spirit. Thank you for the saints that you lead to where we ourselves are hurting, and for removing our reluctance to confess the source of our own pain so that we too can find relief. See into our hearts Father, and bring us peace to soothe our every hurt. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who heals our wounds and reunites us with yourself. Praised be your name for every storm cloud within us, and for every word from Jesus that allows the sun to shine through them. Merciful are you who sends your children into the world with your mighty Word on their lips, and a healing touch for all who are lost. Empower us Father to wash the hurt of sin from every body with the blood of Jesus, and to lead the lost back to you. Let your Holy Spirit give us understanding, and pray for us when we are hurting. Transform our pain and suffering into the glory of Christ, and call us your worthy children… eternal in nature, and filled with your peace and joy forevermore.
Rich Forbes