Sunday Thoughts - Are You In A Place of Pain?

Like me, are you in a place of pain? The pain of loss, physical pain, health issues or financial issues can leave us feeling like we're alone and, frankly, wiped out. Pain causes emotional, mental and physical issues because of the intensity of the feelings that loss produces.

There are days when we feel strong, we feel the Lord right beside us, and we can go forward. Then there are those days when we feel that we can't go another moment in the condition that we're in. We have one thing after another happen and, as they say, "the hits just keeping coming". Those are the times when it's hard to know that the Lord is with us or that He even cares. He does, though.

It's through the darkest of times that the Lord is focused on us the most as He refines us to be closer to Him - more like Him. He is building us up through adversity so we will be able to do what He has for us in the future.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.  - Jeremiah 29:11-14

Maybe, like me, you are struggling with what has happened to you. You're going through a dark tunnel and you aren't seeing the light at the end. Let me encourage you to never stop looking for that light. There are days when I have to really make a concerted effort to look for that light. I have to be reading my Bible, reading encouraging words from others, praying like crazy and reaching out to others. That's probably the hardest thing for me - reaching out to others. I feel like I have been going through this for so long and that everyone is just sick to death of hearing about my struggles (maybe because I'm sick of them!). I have to force myself to reach out but it's really important that we do. We need to have at least one friend that we can lay our heart out to. Who listens without condemnation and with love.

Remember that Jesus is always that friend. He is there to listen to you and He has compassion for what you're going through. He knows what it's like to live with pain because He lived through many types of pain while here on this earth. He loves you and He cares. Reach out to Him in prayer and, day by day, moment by moment, you will see that lights at the end of the tunnel. That light is Jesus!

Blessings - Julie