Welcome to my blog, if you’ve stopped by after reading my devotion (http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com) today or you’ve been following my series on pain, I’m glad you’re here. God doesn’t intended for you or I to live a life of pain. While God uses our painful situations to grow us into His likeness, He also can bring healing to our deepest hurts. I know. I’ve been there.
When I read that depression will soon be America’s number one illness due to fear or grief, I became concerned. No. I became compelled—compelled to share my story, my God, and His ability to heal. That’s the purpose of my book, An Untroubled Heart. Words such as alone, betrayed, and rejected describe the worrisome emotions of millions all over the world. Perhaps they described your feelings today. Have you been betrayed by infidelity. You trusted that person and they broke your heart. Are you the bridesmaid but never the bride constantly feeling rejected or wondering if you’ll be alone for the rest of your life. Maybe you’re that faithful saint who walks with God and can’t understand why God has allowed you to struggle. All you care to know where is God. I know.
I also understand that the fear and pain is so great that you’re afraid to let anyone it or get too close. The fear of being rejected, abused, or betrayed has caused you to mistrust God and others. Like me, you identify with the old saying, “Burn me once and shame on you. Burn me twice and shame on me.” So, we begin to build a wall of protection all around us. We put of a barrio between us, others, and God. It feels right to build walls. It’s only natural to protect ourselves. But in setting up barriers, we become withdrawn, cold, and angry people who are unable to reach their full potential in life. Eventually, our emotions get the best of us.
I say these hard things today because there is hope, my friend. There is new life on the other side of pain. Just as Lazarus was stripped of his grave clothes and given a new start, we can have the same.
The question is do you believe? Will you trust God, again? If so, you will see His glory and experience His healing.
Next, we must do as Christ asked Mary and Martha. We must remove the stone. Why would Christ ask these two women to remove something that is obviously very difficult for women to do? Because the stone represents the hardening of our hearts caused by our pain. It’s difficult to remove. It’s hard to let go. That stone represents our pain, our pride, our anger, our resentment, our doubt our _________. You fill in the blank. But behind the stone is life!
Once you identify your stone, I want you to remove it from your life. Find a stone outside. Take it to the park and throw it into the lake, run over it with the car, toss it into the trash-can. Whatever you do, get rid of the stone. When those feelings try to return say, “I’ve cast that stone away and now I’m trusting you, Lord.” Soon you’ll hear from the balcony of heaven calling… “Loose her and set her free!.”
Loso Holmes says
Thank you for your inspiration. I wouldn’t know where to start with my own story but thank you for the reminder of who I should always start and end with. God bless you and yours. -Loso-
Sharon Sloan says
Micca: I just love you! Thank you for your honesty and for pointing us to the Truth! Great devo and post!
Hugs,
Sharon
Dawn Moore says
Your words of encouragement really helped me. Especially the part regarding the stone and the hardening of the heart. I do trust God and I know he will see me through. However it is the pain of mistrusting people around you and trying to work on trusting those people again. Because I’ve been hurt so many times I don’t know if God is telling me to stay or move on thats where I stand today as my heart continues to harden for the person who has caused me so much grief that I don’t know if I can ever believe in them again. Keep me in prayer and lifed. God is my rock I trust and will always believe in him
lynne says
Micca-Thank you for telling your story. It is powerful! And it provides plenty of hope! 🙂
Kathryn Bonnett says
Thank you for this beautifully inspired post that God used to bring home something for me.. Our youngest son went to Heaven two years ago after 200 days with us.. I have a history of depression, wound up on antidepressants in spite of beleiving that God had cured me of depression 2 years earlier (when our daughter was born).
After Seth died, I prayed and prayed for God to heal my heart, finally almost two years out God said to me “I HAVE healed your depression. I wll not heal your grief.” Meaning, in my opinion, suck it up and deal with it. God IS good, He loves me, He is enough. Always.
Hugs@
ShawnMarie says
Micca,
You have gift to speak to right where women are, I thank God for your ministry. I do BELIEVE what God has in store for me is worth my present pain(loss of hubby,recently). I will trust him for my healing and live for him. His word is empowering as he gives it through his vessels.
Sherri says
I just want to thank you for this wonderful post. Sometimes we can let our emotions lead us away from the path of truth and understanding. I know when I am in a lot of pain, it hinders my sense of judgement. But God wants to deal with the root of the pain. He want us to know there is life behind that pain. I havent learned how to let go and let God heal me.
Siphokazi says
Thank you very much for an inspiration.I am a newly wed i only have 24 days married and today i found out that my husband is cheating on me and he has been doing this since we were still dating.I am very heart broken because i love him and i never thought he will do this to me especially now that we are married.I am painfull on the inside please help me lord.