Underlying

Monday, November 13, 2006
Listen to this devotional:

Psalm 139:23-24 – Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I'm about; See for yourself whether I've done anything wrong — then guide me on the road to eternal life. (MSG)

I have had a stiff arm for the past few months. It doesn't always hurt — only when I move it a certain way. I went to physiotherapy and it kept getting worse. I went to my doctor, and she is sending me for an MRI to make sure everything is okay with my shoulder. She suggested that I go to a chiropractor who specializes in a certain type of treatment called Active Release Techniques®. This provides a way to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of my problem. I like that concept. A surface solution isn't really any solution at all. It is just a quick fix. The problem is still there. It just feels better on the surface. This type of treatment is very painful. I have to trust the chiropractor when each muscle hurts terribly as she is working on it. After a few weeks of this treatment, it does feel better, the movement has improved, and the pain is pretty well gone.

I see this happening in our lives so often. We have some pain deep down in our souls. We want a quick fix. We don't want to go through the hard work of releasing the pain. We think that if we just fix the surface problems, all will be well. How mistaken we are! The problem is still there. It doesn't go away without some active release techniques used on them.

What does that look like in our lives? It means breaking the denial by vocalizing our pain to a trusted friend. It means grieving over the loss of something in our lives. Even if the expectation was unrealistic, it has caused pain and we need to accept that fact.

It means claiming God's promises as ours:

Romans 8:1 – Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (NASB)

Hebrews 13:5b – He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you." (NASB)

Jeremiah 31:3 – The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness." (NASB)

It means finding a church or small group that shows God's grace. It is here where we can be candid and still be accepted.

Let's look at the causes of our current behaviours. Let's ask God to show us what is really going on down in our souls. Let's ask Him to show us where we have been wounded and need healing. He promises to show us. He wants to heal us more than we want it ourselves. He is the Great Physician. He heals our souls. Praise His name.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, so many times we go about our lives glibly, not always realizing something is amiss in our souls. And if we do, we often don't want to look at it. It is far too painful. We pray like David of old, "Investigate my life, O God — then guide me on the road to eternal life". Thank You that You will not abandon us as orphans. You promise to come to us. (John 14:18) Your love is everlasting. Help us to be brutally honest with ourselves and to trust You through this process. Thank You. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook

About the author:

Judy Miller <gjmiller@telusplanet.net>
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada

Send your feedback to the author

Comments are closed.

Previous Post
«
Next Post
»
 



PresbyCan is a community of faithful, Holy Spirit-filled, Christ-centred, God-honouring Christians.