Just today a hurt from my past came and slapped me in the face.
I didn’t like the sting, but easily brushed it off …but over the day thoughts of the past hurt kept creeping into my mind. Before I realized it I was driving down the street with tears pouring down my face. Darn! How can something that happened so long ago, still hurt today?
Maybe you know what I mean.
I am reminded of a few months ago when I cut my finger very badly. I should have gotten stitches but I didn’t want to miss my step-daughter’s graduation. So, I bandaged it tightly and made a go for it. In time the cut healed, scared and the finger went back to normal. That is until something bumps it too hard or brushes against it the wrong way….then it zings! A reminder of the injury is always just a bump away. Healed? Yes! Completely gone? No.
I was divorced over 20 years ago and the pain of what happened was intense. I thought I would never get over it. Even after remarriage, the pain of my past clung to me for years. And, just when I thought it was gone for good…BUMP…Zing! Zing! Zing! Tears….
Was I crying tears over my ex-husband? No. But, I was crying tears over places broken in my heart over the years. I was crying because sometimes life is filled with disappointments. Over the years I have had to learn to focus on God in the middle of all my life dramas and traumas! The focus has saved me and revamped my expectations.
I don’t expect never to experience pain or disappointment again, but I do expect God to teach me through the pain and help me over the hump when the pain resurfaces. I trust Jesus to do in me what I can not do for myself. He is my healer…inside and out, emotional, spiritual, physical and relational.
Today’s Truth: Psalm 18: 30-35
“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer; he enables me to stand the heights. He gives me victory and his right hand sustains me.”
It is all in how you view things….
I like the story about the guy who went to the pet store to get a singing parakeet. He was a bachelor and his house was quiet. He hoped a singing bird would make it a little more like home. The pet store owner had just the bird for him, so he bought it and took the bird home.
The next day the bachelor came home from work to a house full of music. He went to the cage to feed the bird and noticed for the first time that the parakeet had only one leg. He felt ripped off and called the store complaining of being sold a one legged bird.
“What do you want” the store owner responded, ” a bird who can sing or a bird who can dance?”
A good question for all of us who are disappointed with things in our life right now.
Today’s Prayer:
Lord you are perfect and I put my trust in you. I am learning that my disappointment can be used as your appointment for personal growth, shaping and maturing. May you will be done in the story of my life.
I was divorced 9 years ago and remarried 4 years ago. I can soooo identify with what you are talking about with the pain of the past. Thanks for what you wrote today! It helps to be reminded that I can totally trust God to continue growing me. Although God has healed my broken heart in many ways, every once in a while, something Zings me. God is faithful to continue the healing process. God is good!!
Today’s truth is a perfect reminder…He IS a shield for all who take refuge in him – Amen!
There has to be a connection with my 3 legged dog! I’m pondering! 🙂
Thanks, Debbie, for hanging on to Jesus, especially in the bumpy, lumpy places. When we affirm that we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, that has to include the disappointments that resurface years after an event. We heal in stages and layers, don’t we. Psalm 145:13b-14: “The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Praying for your heart and thanking the One who knows and loves you to use every tear for what’s of real value.
boy, debbie, are you inside my head? yesterday i should have celebrated my 24th anniversary – but i didn’t. after two divorces plus a list of disappointments in my life that would floor most people, i can only take credit for survival by getting strength from Jesus. those zings can be mighty ferocious, but i remember ‘8-28’ and surrender all to Him. thank you so much for the wonderful words you share. you are truly a blessing.
I should re-read this on a weekly basis. Thanks for touching so deeply with truth and wisdom.
“There comes a time when you know deep in your soul your purpose and other people’s attempts at disempowering you no longer hold strong.” Beverlee Garb
I love this quote. I thought of it when I read your blog today.
Hi Debbie,
I’m not sure that you will remember me. I went to church w you a long, long, time ago at Calvary Chapel. Ms. Kelli recently told me about a book that you wrote. I plan to get a copy of it soon. Ms. Kelli and I were talking about some life events happening w me right now. They are not the same as this blog, but God holds me together the same. I related well to what you stated in this blog. I just finished going through the book of Job. I avoided that book when seeking help from God until after things continuing to happen in my life, I felt the need. I did find encouragement through reading Job. I did start at the end, ch 42, before going to the beginning and reading through it. I will share the last thing I put in my notes about the book of Job: Job 40:23 Indeed the river may rage, yet he is not disturbed; he is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth. My comment – only w God holding me together can I stand firm like the hippo in a raging river and not be swept away. I’m so thankful that God is holding me together! I would love to hear from you – see email address. I am so glad to see how God has blessed you with this ministry that blesses so many others.
Cindy Greer
Hi Cindy!
Of course I remember you! how fun to see your name and get this message. Sorry that you are going through something but I know, yes I know, that God uses these things we go through that seem SO big in the moment to change and shape us, if and when we lean into Him. Praying you are able to lean into Him during this season.
With love,
Debbie
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