Healing for a hurting heart
Warrior Truth: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7 v 25
An occupational hazard of pet ownership (and life) is that sometimes unexpected things happen, and you find yourself in the waiting room of the local vet (or other expert) hoping for the best outcome. This was my life last week. With a flash and commotion in my front garden catching my attention, I watched in horror as I saw our cat chased from our garden, across the road and into a tall tree on the opposite verge. In the mad scramble he fell out of the tree (almost on top of the dog), his body twisting and contorting as he fell. The dog veered off in the other direction as our neighbour having also seen the commotion, raced to assist. This, I believe, gave our kitty the seconds of grace needed to make it safely into the tree. Now seemingly out of harm’s way, well-intentioned onlookers assured us that he would all be alright and would come down in his own time. We coaxed him out of the tree and were relieved to see no visible injuries. We kept a close eye on him the next day. His movements seemed measured and his spirits dampened. His brother spent most of the day by his side, on guard. We knew something was up and so off to the vet he went. The initial consultation suspected some internal damage which was confirmed the next morning to be a tear in the abdominal wall requiring surgery. A week on, and our cat making a good recovery, I am still on heightened alert to any potentially threatening sound. And I check in on him far too frequently for his own liking.
In life, sometimes our wounds are not visible. Reckless, cruel words and actions fire off poison arrows that chase after us and pierce and hearts and minds, causing untold damage that may lie hidden for years. We brush it off outwardly and from the outside seem to be okay. But inside, our hearts and minds succumb to a cloud of doubt. Our actions become measured and our responses uncharacteristic to those that know and love us. We build walls to keep others out – to protect ourselves – but these walls start to trap us in hurt and doubt. We never ask for or accept help because somehow we’ve started to believe we are not worthy enough to deserve it.
Warrior Tool: That was once my own story – but, thankfully no longer. Instead, I can look back at it as my own narrow escape and my own journey to recovery. Some days I still feel the scar tissue, I hear something that reminds me what it felt like to be chased, pierced and pestered by those cruel words. I see the similar signs in someone else. But the ache I feel in these moments is different. Today, that ache compels me to seek refuge and healing at the feet of Jesus, my strong tower, my rock, my redeemer, my loving Father. That ache compels me to share the truths and tools He writes on my heart each day, with others, so that they might know His love and find healing and wholeness through Him. His word instructs us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5 v 7). My warrior tool is surrender – everything is placed at His feet. And when He sends me out again, I pick up only the truths and tools He sends with me, leaving the doubt and anxiety behind. This tool is available to anyone who would pick it up. There is no hurt, visible or unseen that He is not able to heal, no life that He cannot save. He came so that we might have life to the full. He has already paid the ultimate price to give us that life. We were fearfully and wonderfully made when we were first formed, and in Him we are fearfully and wonderfully remade, saved to the uttermost and able to live life to the full. That is my story – because He is the author of my life.
Prayer: My Lord and my shepherd, thank you that you care so tenderly for us. You call us by name and seek us out in our pain. When we carry our unseen hurts and hide behind walls built to protect, we trap ourselves in anxiety, in fear, in loneliness and in silence. Today, Lord, may that silence be broken. May voices rise from deep within, casting all anguish onto You as we choose to replace dishonouring words and thoughts with grace and love. Thank you Lord that in you, the promise of wholeness is fulfilled. I know that when we call on you, you hear us, and you answer us because you are a loving and faithful Father. Amen
With God, For His Glory