pain

“Pain is God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” C.S. Lewis.

Did you know that if you avoid touching a scar, it actually becomes MORE sensitive? It is a funny and beautiful way that the body is made. My P.T. explained it like this: we have within us tiny bucket-like pain sensors on our nerve endings that rearrange themselves about every three days, going where most needed. If we do not touch a sensitive spot, the body can send more and more “bucket alarms” to alert us to not simply be “cautious” around the wounded area but, with time, to become “more cautious” and even "hyper-cautious.” If we do not desensitize the wounded area, over the years it will become almost impossible to touch.

I have found this to be true with emotional wounds as well. In my mind and heart, if I do not quickly revisit the wound, take a good look at what has happened and ask the Master to come and “touch” the spot with His healing hands of love allowing forgiveness to flow, some funky stuff begins to happen.

One: The enemy begins to lie to me in many ways, sending more and more “pain bucket receptors” to the wound. I start to feel not just “hurt”, but “really, really hurt!” (This may or may not be justified. Either way I become more acutely aware of the pain.)

Two: I then begin to get so sensitive that it is hard to realize what is true and what is not. I feel justified sitting in a seat of judgement, even though my own judgement is never completely just as there is only One Judge. That is God.

Three: I build a case as to why I can not (or ever could) forgive, for “protective” reasons. This only increases the pain, thickens the wounded area, and causes me to become stuck.

There is only one solution: Forgiveness.*

No matter whether the hurt was intentional or unintentional, if you want to be set free from the pain (the “megaphone” God uses to show you where forgiveness is needed) you must allow the Master to touch the wound, and set you free.

Go to counseling if needed. Receive prayer. Talk with a trusted friend or priest. Go to confession.

Get free.

God set me free just recently from a childhood wound that was so deeply burried I did not realize the depth to which it had paralyzed me. I could not “go there” on my own, so He lovingly placed me in a situation that I could not escape and He asked me to face it. When I did, I felt the pain all over again. It rushed onto me like nauseating heat and made me angry, confused and ache all over. But because of the pain, I was driven to my knees before Him in an Adoration Chapel. There I was able to give it all to Him and finally allow Him to be Judge and Jury, Healer and Forgiver, Master Physician and Loving Lord. I was able to extend forgiveness, not because the person “deserved it” but because I myself have been greatly forgiven and am, by grace alone, able to pass on the grace I have received.

Pain. Don’t wish it away. Allow the Master to touch it. Be set free, healed and made stronger.

“But to you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit [is] that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as [also] your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:27-36

Dear Lord,

Yipes! This is tough stuff, all You ask of me. This is not just theoretical. How can I do this? I realize this ability comes only by Your grace Lord. Let me see my own great need of healing and forgiveness, my own sin from which You have cleansed and set me free. Then and only then, will I be able to allow You to extend this same grace to others through me, not doing it in my own strength, but You doing it in me for Your glory. Lord, help me! I want to love and serve You more. I want to experience Your grace and freedom at a greater level. Come against any lie inside of me that says, “Never!” Only in You is there hope! Give me the grace to be changed.

I ask this in the name of the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*Just FYI- Forgiveness does not mean that there are no healthy boundaries nor does it necessarily mean restored relationship, it simply means that you are releasing the situation into the most capable hands of God allowing Him to be Judge and Healer.

**Pictured above is the Adoration Chapel in which God touched my heart, desensitising the scar of deep hurt, setting me free from emotional pain and thus allowing His forgiveness to flow through me. To show the tender mercy of God, unbelievably, there were four beautifully carved wooden butterflies hung upon the Adoration Chapel wall. God is good.