He heals the broken-hearted and sets the captive free! He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see!
He’s able. That’s what the song says. That’s what the Bible says. That’s what the camp counselor, youth director, and preacher says. God is able. It’s the most difficult truth to believe. No, it’s not difficult to believe our God is able. The hard pill to swallow is believing that He’s able–but doesn’t. Right?
You’re sick physically or mentally and the healer isn’t healing. You’re heartbroken and God’s not mending hearts. You’re trapped in addiction with no escape, a house falling down around you and no place to go. You’re stuck–held captive–and The Chainbreaker must be sitting this one out.
So your heart is heavy. You’re tired of the happy act on Sabbath. Your face hurts from the plastic smiles. You wish you felt like the girl (or guy) that’s been posting on your social media lately. Who’s that? I want to know God like them! All the while, it’s you. Your “fake it ’til you make it’ mentality has met its end. Not only is it tiring, but it feels more and more like a lie.
Now what?
I hesitate to offer a suggestion where prayer and Bible study might have already fallen short.
Rachel Ashworth, infrequent OUTLOOK blogger, full-time mother, and only every-now-and-then teacher and influencer doesn’t have the answers–except this:
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5).
The tribulations lead to perseverance, which leads to character, which leads to hope, and is grounded in God’s love.
It’s like the love of your spouse, your mom or dad, a family member. You just had a big fight, a bad year, a trying season and you’ve been faking a few smiles. The hard times are hard on everyone involved, but even when times are tough, you know that person loves you.
God is the best husband times a billion! He has it better with you than any marriage, best friendship, or pedestal relationship in existence.
So your heart is heavy. It’s hard to share God’s love when you don’t feel the part, and even more difficult when you’re faking! You can lighten the burden by talking about it. If you give the thing that’s hurting (your heart) a voice, and God is there (in your heart), then you can still share God’s love.
My husband and I will celebrate our tenth anniversary in a few months. That’s ten years. A decade. A full third of my life. I love him the way a starving person loves a morsel of bread, and at the same time I love him the way a frustrated and frazzled mom needs to escape every now and then to the Target dollar aisle, and once she’s there only buys things for the kids. I’ve loved the man for 3,600 days (give or take a few), and probably half of them have been rough in their own way.
I still know he loves me. I still praise him to others. I still assure him he’s the only one for me. When my heart is heavy…he’s still there.
Jesus, my mama and daddy, and my husband have one thing in common. They love me on my worst days.
Do you sometimes have a rough day with Jesus? Sometimes you may raise your voice a little…even wrestle with angels? Sometimes you may need a break. You may even skip a couple of Sabbaths at church. When the going gets tough, you may want to get going, and going, and going. Don’t let a few bad days ruin what you have with your Savior. It works with marriage, friendships, other relationships, and Jesus.
Promise.
