Relief From Pain

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – February 12, 2018

Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5, NKJV

Lily, our eight year old granddaughter writhed in pain. Tears flowed as she frantically sought relief from an intrusive needle sized splinter. The nemesis, with an ambush like attack had invaded the soft tender area of her palm just below the thumb. Her mom comforted her—a personified God hug, calmly and lovingly assured her first born all would be ok, while gingerly explaining how extraction brings relief—but only after additional pain. The thought of digging into her sensitive skin caused our precious baby to howl in fear, tears flooding out like a raging river after a heavy rain. Childhood often does not have a context for how to process pain. Aunts, uncles, grandparents—we all stood around sympathetic, but feeling helpless. Pain hurts.

How many of us have multiple splinters embedded in our souls—forgotten, festering or fresh? Your hurt may be buried deep in the recesses of your memories, but on occasion it raises its ugly head because you discover your pain was buried alive. Forgotten from denial, but not dead because ongoing forgiveness in the power of the Spirit is the only remedy to remove the pain of past sins inflicted on your heart. You may never hear the words, “Will you forgive me?”, but you can still forgive and by God’s grace not be controlled by someone else’s past shaming.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

A festering hurt like a physical wound lingers with infection just below the surface: puffy, red and swollen intently waiting for love’s lance to bring relief. The puss of pride infects the blood of our emotions as it flows through our hurting heart with venomous affect—only the antivenin of humility can counteract pride’s deadly outcome. Humility recognizes and admits the struggle of unresolved conflict corrodes relationships and clouds our judgment. Only when we go to our offender or the one we have offended and seek reconciliation can we clear our consciences.

“If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24).

Or maybe your wound is fresh. Take courage and forgive fast so the hurt doesn’t fester and lie dormant in resentment ready to attack unaware. When you are hurt or offended the amount of time it takes you to thank God and forgive is an indicator of how close your walk is with Christ. Some die in bitterness, for others it takes years to forgive, fewer months, fewer weeks, even fewer days, the more mature in their faith hours, saints seconds and those who walk closest to Christ, their thanksgiving and forgiveness are simultaneous to the offense. By God’s grace keep no record of wrongs and you will be free to love others as your heavenly Father loves you.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mathew 11:28-29).

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