Hat #4 - A Survivor
Psalm 34:22 - The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.
“…and none of them that trust in him SHALL BE DESOLATE…” The Bible clearly promises that none of us who trust in God shall be desolate…. why then is there pain? Why does my heart ache? With all that I am and all that is within me, I know that I trust God implicitly to work all things together for my good, yet some days, I wake up to rain and gloom, and I wonder, briefly, if I will survive the day. The disappointment of a hope unfulfilled, the sadness that accompanies loss, the pain that results from regret - all of these are pretty desolate feelings, and I experience them all from time to time. I feel myself withdrawing into a shell of the person I know I am meant to be. Numbness sets in around my heart that is bursting into a million pieces. I have been here before. I know this pain well. I know that it is the kind of pain that will return without warning because of a song I hear or a comment that is made that sparks a memory which causes the dull, aching pain of a broken heart to return once again. I do not like it here, but I am aware that being in this lonely place is often necessary to remind me how wonderful life is when life is, in fact, wonderful, but today is not one of those wonderful “life is great” days. Today, unfortunately, is a day of sorrow, a day of remorse, a day of longing. Oh, Lord, my God, why are days like today permitted? I search the Scriptures for comfort and encouragement. I find verses that I know are speaking to me, and I cling to every Word…
Psalm 71:21 - Thou shalt increase my greatness, and COMFORT ME ON EVERY SIDE.
Oh, Lord, please comfort me now. I don’t care about greatness, but God I need Your comfort. I need to know that this ache in my chest will not persist. I need to feel Your presence in my life. I need You to fill the empty spaces in my heart that are longing to be filled. Comfort me, Oh God, as only You can.
Psalm 34:18 - The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Draw nigh to me, Lord. I need You close by. My heart is hurting,and You alone can heal the pain. The broken pieces are crumbling. I am weak, but You are strong. Pull me close to Your side, and hold me tight. Closer, Lord, I want to be closer, Lord, to only Thee. Draw nigh to me, Lord.
Psalm 147:3 - He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.
Heal me, Lord, and bind my wounds so they are never able to reopen to this pain again. Heal me, Lord, and bind my wounds so they are never able to hurt me again. Heal me, Lord, and bind my wounds so You can remove forever the heartache within. Heal me, Lord, and bind my wounds. Heal me, Lord, I pray.
Psalm 73:26 - My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
God, please help me to feel Your strength. My flesh fails daily. Of that, I am certain, and my heart, oh my heart, how it aches. This pain is so tangible. The pain is so real, but You, God, are my portion for ever, and You can make the pain subside. You can give me strength to endure. You can make all things great again. I believe You can, Lord, and I am trusting You will. Be my strength, Lord, please be my strength.
Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
What an amazing God we serve!! He wants me to have peace. He has a plan for my life. He knows the way to my happiness, and He wants, no, He EXPECTS me to reach that end. What an amazing God we serve!! Thank You, Lord Jesus, Thank You.
There are days that are hard and full of pain and gloom, but there is a God greater than all the disappointment this life affords, and He is my strength, my refuge, my comfort. He thinks about me, and He knows the thoughts He has toward me are of peace and not evil. He is an amazing God who loves me and cares for me and wants me to survive these bad days. He wants me to survive the heartache of loss. He wants me to survive the pain of rejection. He wants me to survive the pits of despair. He wants me to survive so that His presence I can feel. He wants me to survive so that in His comfort I can rest. He wants me to survive so that His strength I can claim. He wants me to survive so that His love I can share. Though my heart may be broken, I am not desolate. Today, I am a survivor.